Is a Concrete Driveway Cheaper Than Block Paving in 2026? (UK)
Yes — in 2026 a UK concrete driveway costs £60–£110 per m² fitted, while block paving runs £80–£150 per m² for the same prep. On a typical 50m² front-of-house drive that''s £3,000–£5,500 for concrete vs £4,000–£7,500 for block paving — a 20–35% upfront saving for concrete. But the picture flips on lifetime cost: when a section is damaged, when water services need access, or when one corner sinks, block paving is repairable for £150–£400 by lifting and re-laying the affected blocks. Concrete is a single slab — a crack or service trench means £800–£2,000 of saw-cutting and patch repair, often visible for the life of the drive.
Concrete or block paving — the short answer
- Cheapest upfront: brushed concrete at £60–£80/m² fitted.
- Cheapest over 15 years: block paving — because section repairs are £150–£400 vs concrete''s £800–£2,000.
- Best for kerb appeal & resale: block paving in tumbled / textured finish.
- Best for big areas (commercial / barn conversion): concrete — doesn''t lift, no weeds, smoother for vehicles over 3.5t.
- Best for SuDS compliance: permeable block paving — concrete needs an additional drainage solution.
Since 2008, any new driveway over 5m² that drains to the highway needs planning permission unless it''s permeable (SuDS-compliant) or drained internally to a soakaway. This is the single biggest practical reason block paving still dominates UK domestic driveways in 2026 — permeable block paving meets SuDS without paperwork. Standard concrete and standard impermeable block paving both need a planning application, which adds £206 fee + 8 weeks to the project. Get the drainage right first — it''s easier than re-doing the lot.
Concrete vs Block Paving — Cost Per Square Metre (2026)
Fitted prices for a properly-prepped 50m² front drive: dig out, sub-base, edge restraint, top surface, integral drainage. All inc. VAT, excludes the dropped-kerb application if you need one (£800–£1,800).
Sub-base depth matters: 150mm Type 1 MOT for cars, 200mm+ for vans / 4x4. Cheapest quotes that look 30% under the market usually shortcut sub-base — the drive sinks within 2–3 winters. Always confirm sub-base spec in writing before paying a deposit.
Lifetime Cost: Concrete vs Block Paving
For a 50m² front drive, allowing for typical 15-year maintenance: 1 minor settlement repair, 1 service trench for water/electricity replacement, sealing/cleaning every 4 years.
Over 15 years the two solutions are within £250 of each other — because block paving''s extra upfront cost is broadly offset by concrete''s much higher repair cost. So the question becomes not “which is cheaper?” but “which do you want to live with?” — block paving will look more on-brand for a UK home, concrete will be more vehicle-friendly for heavy use, permeable block paving will skip the planning application.
Which Should You Pick? Verdict by Use Case
Tight budget, 1 car, 25–40m²
Winner: brushed concrete. Cheapest fit at £60–£80/m². As long as the drainage strategy is right (soakaway or internal channel drain), this is a clean 10–15 year solution.
Kerb appeal + resale focus
Winner: tumbled block paving. Buyers pay more for paved drives that match the home''s era — a brushed concrete drive on a Victorian semi can be a deal-breaker.
Avoiding planning permission
Winner: permeable block paving. SuDS-compliant, no planning needed, no soakaway needed. The extra £1,500–£2,500 over standard is offset by skipping the planning application and design fees.
Large area / commercial
Winner: concrete. Above 100m² the labour element of block paving compounds hard. Concrete pours faster, no weeds, smoother for vans / heavy equipment.
Sloped or curved drive
Winner: block paving. Curves and falls are easy to cut into block; concrete on a slope needs expansion joints, anti-slip texture, and falls into a channel drain — fiddly.
Services likely to fail in next 15 yr
Winner: block paving. If lead water pipe or 1960s electric supply runs under the drive, plan for replacement. Lifting blocks is £150–£400 vs sawing concrete at £800–£2,000 with permanent patch lines.
Common Questions
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