How to Lay Block Paving

Tools and Materials

Before You Start

• Check for underground services — use a CAT scanner and check service plans
• Plan falls for drainage: minimum 1:60 away from buildings
• Consider permeable paving if the area exceeds 5 m² at the front of the property
• Order blocks from the same batch to ensure colour consistency
• Set datum levels with pegs and string before excavating

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Step 1 — Excavate. Dig to the required depth ensuring the correct falls. Remove all organic matter and soft spots. Fill any soft areas with Type 1 and compact.
2. Step 2 — Lay geotextile membrane (optional). On soft or clay ground, lay geotextile membrane to prevent sub-base migration into the subsoil.
3. Step 3 — Spread and compact sub-base. Add Type 1 MOT in layers of no more than 75 mm, compacting each layer thoroughly with a whacker plate. Build up to the required depth (150 mm patio, 200 mm+ driveway). Check levels frequently.
4. Step 4 — Install edge restraints. Bed concrete edging kerbs on a C20 concrete haunch. Set to the finished paving level minus the block thickness. Allow the concrete to set for 24 hours before laying pavers.
5. Step 5 — Screed the sand bed. Lay screeding rails on the compacted sub-base and spread sharp sand between them. Draw a straight edge across the rails to create a smooth, even bed at the correct depth (30-40 mm). Remove the rails and fill the voids.
6. Step 6 — Lay the blocks. Start from a 90° corner or fixed edge. Work forwards, kneeling on the laid pavers (never on the sand bed). Maintain 2-3 mm gaps between blocks. Check alignment every few rows with a string line.
7. Step 7 — Cut edge blocks. Mark and cut edge blocks with a block splitter or angle grinder. Wear ear defenders, safety glasses, and a dust mask when cutting. Aim for cuts no smaller than one-third of a full block.
8. Step 8 — Vibrate and joint. Spread kiln-dried sand over the surface and vibrate with a plate compactor fitted with a rubber mat (to prevent scuffing). This drives the sand into the joints and settles the blocks. Top up the sand and repeat 2-3 times.

Common Mistakes

• Inadequate sub-base compaction — the most common cause of sinking and unevenness
• No edge restraints — paving will spread apart within months
• Using building sand instead of kiln-dried for joints — it holds moisture and encourages weed growth
• Laying blocks too tight together — blocks expand in heat and will crack if there is no joint gap
• Insufficient falls — leads to puddles and standing water
• Mixing blocks from different pallets — shuffle blocks from 3-4 packs to blend colour variation

Cost Estimate (2026)

Related Calculators

Use the Block Paving Calculator for paver quantities, and the Type 1 Sub-Base Calculator for sub-base volumes.