Tarmac Driveway Cost

Trying to find out how much it costs to tarmac a drive?

Tarmac driveways are a great way to add kerb appeal to your home and also create a practical place to park your car.

The average cost to tarmac a drive in the UK is between £700-£6,000. But the exact cost you'll pay to get a tarmac drive depends on the size of your driveway.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know - including tarmac prices, cost of tarmac drives per m², coloured tarmac driveway costs, and much more.

This will make it easier for you to more accurately estimate the cost of a tarmac driveway.

Also, if you're looking for a quote from a tarmac drive installer - we've got you covered!

Let's get started...

Tarmac Driveway Cost Calculator

How Much Does it Cost to Tarmac a Drive?

First, we'll take a look at average tarmac costs per m²...

In short? You can expect to pay £70-£120 per m² for the cost of tarmacing a drive.

This is what that translates into for different sizes of tarmac driveways:

What Can Impact the Cost of a Tarmac Driveway?

There are a few key things that will impact the price you'll pay for tarmac driveway installations:

• Tarmac driveway prices drop in cost per m² for larger driveways
• Weather conditions when a tarmac drive is being installed
• Accessibility of the driveway (i.e. is the driveway accessible to larger vehicles?)
• Preperation work needed before the project starts (e.g. removal of obstructions, creating driveway access points, or dealing with drainage concerns)
• Aesthetic choices, such as the tarmac colour and any decorations

For instance, if a tarmac drive installer works during heavy rain, this can cool down the tarmac prematurely and may not offer the best results. Tarmac is a sturdy substance, but it's preferable not to complete the work in torrential rain!

Tarmac Prices

Tarmac Price Per M²

The average tarmac price per m² is between £70-£120. However, the tarmac cost per m² will vary depending on what you're after and where you're located in the UK.

While you'll pay more for labour and time when tarmacing a larger drive, the cost per m² that you'll pay for tarmac will decrease.

On the other hand, you'll pay a higher price per m² when tarmacing a smaller drive - but it'll take less time which means you won't pay as much for a labourer's time.

Check out the price of a tarmac drive based on m² below:

The above table is a guideline only as there can be a multitude of other factors to consider with the tarmac drive cost, such as being an irregular shape and needing to remove existing materials, which can add to the duration and cost.

Additionally, the price can be lower if you're overlaying an existing tarmac drive.

Do note that the cost of cold lay tarmac can be expensive in bulk and is intended mostly for repairs. The driveway cost will escalate this way, and it's advised to use hot mix tarmac.

Tarmac Price Per Ton

Hot-mix tarmac cost per tonne equals to £45 on average, and this provides 8m² coverage.

The price of tarmac per ton remains the same, but the less you buy isn’t cost-effective as you'll likely have to pay £100-£150 for delivery costs, have a place to store the hot mix tarmac and be ready to lay it almost immediately.

What Else is There to Consider?

Although tarmac drive costs seem cheaper by buying the supplies only, you need to take into account the labour, storage, equipment…

It makes sense to have professionals do the job!

How Much do Tarmacers Charge?

Labour Costs

Our data indicates that driveway professionals usually charge within the region of £150-£200 per day and rarely give a fixed price when quoting the cost of a tarmac driveway.

How Long Will Tarmacing a Drive Take?

It takes a minimum of 1-2 days to tarmac a small driveway, but can take somewhere between 1-2 weeks to tarmac a larger driveway.

However...

You'll need to ensure that your driveway is consistently accessible to prevent delays and (hope!) that the weather conditions remain the same throughout.

How Many Tradespeople Will You Need To Hire?

It is possible for one person to complete a small tarmac driveway of 10m². However, driveway specialists tend to work in pairs to tarmac the drive as efficiently as possible. Because of this, you should expect to pay within £300-£400 per day in labour costs alone.

A single driveway within the region of 10-20m² can take two people 1-2 days to complete, and for a more substantial area up to 80m², around 4-5 days.

This is on the assumption that the existing drive is in an acceptable state, that the weather conditions are relatively dry and that no other additional work is completed - such as a dropped kerb or landscaping.

These are just some of the criteria that can add to the cost of tarmac driveway prices.

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How Much Do Tarmac Supplies Cost?

Most supplies can be bought-in yourself from DIY stockists. In particular, cold lay tarmac is readily available.

A standard 25kg bag will cover approximately 0.3m² with around 40mm of depth.

But what about cost per metre square?

When calculating per m², it comes to about £40-£60 per m². With that in mind, this option is best suited for repair work rather than a new driveway.

However, some trade prices drop to as little as £8 per bag if bought in larger quantities - meaning the cost can be as low as £32 per m².

Again, tarmac driveway material costs will lower with the size of the driveway.

But what's the cheaper tarmac option here?

Hot-mix tarmac is much cheaper compared to cold lay tarmac on a larger scale (enough for a driveway, for example). That's why cold lay tarmac is mostly used for repair work only.

However, hot-mix tarmac is sold by the tonne and needs to be delivered.

What is the price of tarmac per ton for supply only?

The cost of this can vary based on location, how much you require, and the company you choose.

For a 30m² drive, you will need 3-4 tonnes costing £285-£440 including the delivery cost of £150-£200. You would also need to consider where to store the materials in the meantime.

Additional Costs

What else can you expect to pay for when tarmacing a driveway?

Here is a table full of extra costs you might have to pay when budgeting the cost of a new tarmac driveway:

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Cost Factors of Tarmacing a Driveway

There is a multitude of circumstances that can increase or decrease the cost of tarmarcing a driveway, from the usual aspects of sizes, accessibility, and tailored options to the appearance of the tarmac and new draining systems.

The Size of the Driveway

As touched upon earlier, with larger work areas come more labour costs and the time involved in doing the work. While a larger area will cost more in the long run, the material costs will decrease.

Poor Access

Driveways that could potentially cross over onto a public footpath or grass verge may pose a problem, not just with planning permission, but also access to the job in question.

For example, if a public footpath crosses the driveway, it may be difficult for the contractors to work on it without getting permission to continue.

This can be remedied by contacting the Highways Agency and/or your local authority. In some cases, the driveway may be shared with a third party so you will need to gain consent from them before continuing with work.

Odd Shaped Driveways

Oddly shaped driveways won’t necessarily be affected by the tarmac process as it’s laid as a liquid, meaning it will form into the shape it’s poured onto. There are two areas to be aware of, however.

The first is to ensure that there is a slight slope so water can run off the driveway into adequate drainage facilities away from the home.

The second key area is that you will need to apply edging to the driveway. Initially, this is to ensure that the tarmac does not move or crack, but it adds an aesthetic quality to it as well.

Coloured Tarmac Cost

Changing the colour of the tarmac means adding a dye to the mix.

Red is the most common type of tarmac colour that you'll see when you're out and about. But if that's not for you, then there are other options - such as green, grey, blue, plus many more.

The cost of red tarmac increases the average price by around £10-£20 per m²; the higher end of this estimate tends to be for a smaller area.

An average quote, bearing in mind the size of the driveway and location, comes to as much as £65 per m² for a 30m² driveway.

New Driveway Draining System Cost

Unless you have access to an existing soakaway, you could be looking at a starting price of £500-£1,500 for a new soakaway or new channel - with the duration of this work taking about 1 day.

Infrequent Slopes

The problem with infrequent slopes affects water flow and drainage and will pose a problem if not correct. As part of the planning permission with driveways, all water must be directed away from the house but not cross a public space.

New channels and soakaways can be created, but if the water doesn’t flow, it won’t make a difference, and there will be areas where the water will reside, gradually wearing away into the tarmac surface.

What's Involved in Tarmacing a Driveway?

Tarmac is a hardy substance and doesn’t need as much preparation as alternative driveway materials. It can also be arranged on other elements (excluding lawns).

The following steps will assume that excavation is required to indicate what to expect with the process.

• Excavation

With the excavation, the ground needs digging to around 175mm below the paving level. It is imperative that the ground is free from any debris or any problem areas.




• Membrane

Often referred to a precaution for weeds, this membrane’s primary function to stop stone sub-bases from any unwanted movement as this will affect the surface and stability of the tarmac above.

These membranes can work out to be quite expensive but are essential to the build. Expect to pay on average £38 per m².




• Drainage

Ideally, the tradespeople you hire will be able to connect the drainage to an existing system, such as a soakaway. The water needs to go somewhere other than towards the property or onto a public space without planning permission.

The best remedy when this isn’t available is installing a new soakaway with sufficient piping and drainage.




• Stone Sub-base

This step involves a Type 1 MOT/crushed stone being poured into the working area to a depth of 100mm.

For this to be efficient, it is levelled out as dictated to by the natural contours of the driveway. Once laid down, it is then compacted either by heavy machinery or tools to ensure it has been levelled entirely.




• Lowering the Kerb

For this step, you will need to have been in touch with the local authority to lower a kerb if needed.




• Edging

The first part of the edging is for structure: the tarmac needs to have this in place to stop it from cracking and from any movement. Edging should be placed approximately 75mm beneath the base using a sand and cement bond.




• First Layering

Sometimes referred to as the binding course, a rough aggregate is laid down of about 50mm and spread out using a rake.




• Second Layering

This is the final section and is much finer. Laid shortly after finishing the binder course and spread with both a rake and sometimes a toothless lute to give a finer finish.

Ideally, heavy machinery will perform a more level job than manually completing with a plate compactor, but either is an option to finish compacting the surface.




• Finishing Touches

One way to accelerate the hardening of the tarmac is to use a hose and spray the surface with water, as this will help cool the tarmac down slightly.

The tarmac can be walked on soon after it has finished, but generally speaking, allow around 7 days for the surface to settle completely.

Vehicles can be parked on the space after 24 hours, but for best practice, it's best to leave it as is.

What Is Tarmac?

When referring to tarmacing a drive, the term used for the material is often referred to as tarmac, but this is, in fact, a registered trade name, Tarmac. The correct term is tarmacadam, but through usage, tarmac is commonly accepted as the material in question.

But what exactly is tarmac?

The name comes from John Louden McAdam. They pioneered the initial idea by using broken stones packed close together, then covered with finer stones to give a smoother finish.

Unfortunately, it didn’t revolutionise transport systems at the time until an engineer named Edgar Purnell Hooley implemented an aggregate, cement and tar mix to create a substance called tar-mac which would eventually be compacted by steam rollers.

The idea came to him after experiencing a tar spillage on the road, and he took that design further by forming a new company.

Eventually, Sir Alfred Hickman MP bought the patent and formed his company Tarmac Limited and changed the quality of roadways for good. Interestingly, today’s tarmac mixtures no longer include tar.

Can I Tarmac a Driveway Myself?

Tarmacing a drive should usually be left to the professionals and not taken on as a DIY project.

While even a basic overlay isn't too complicated, the equipment required for the job is specific, and even if competent with this, you would need to hire each item and ideally have someone assist you with the job.

As tarmac is initially a hot liquid that gradually cools once laid, the temperatures will get incredibly hot and hazardous to health if in contact with the skin. Protective clothing is required as a precaution.

When mixing tarmac, the temperatures can get high. As a result, this can be hazardous to your health if you don't know what you're doing and is practically impossible without the right tools.

Making repairs to an existing driveway is much more practical. Cold lay tarmac is readily available from all good DIY stockists, usually in bags of 25kg. It's not unrealistic to purchase several of these and complete the work yourself.

But for larger areas?

You'll need hot mix tarmac. With this method, you will need a separate delivery to your home as it is delivered by the tonne and can be very expensive for smaller driveways.

While the material itself can be cheaper in larger quantities, you still need a place to store it, the equipment hire and the time to complete the work.

Below are the common tools needed for the job:

• Mini digger for excavation £150 per week.
• Mechanical roller at £100 per week.
• Plate compactor cost about £24 per day.
• Tarmac rake - approximately £20, the same as a lute for the second layering after the binder course.
• Loading shovel - as much as £200 per day (non-tracks).
• Carrying bucket £10 to buy outright.

Taking into account these factors, it probably makes more sense to hire professionals to do the job.

Not only do they have all the tools and equipment, but they also have the experience necessary to get the job done safely, promptly and to a high standard.

Benefits of Tarmacing a Driveway

Cost-Effective

When compared to alternative driveway materials, tarmac is often cheaper than its counterparts.

It does require specialist equipment to complete the job, but for a simple setup, you could be looking at a couple of days to finish a smaller driveway.

Dries Quickly, Easy to Install

A typical installation can be as fast as 1-2 days

One of the benefits of tarmac is it can adhere to many surfaces. It is initially laid as a liquid and then compacted into shape with a roller.

The drying process is swift, and you can walk on the driveway after 24 hours, but it is recommended to leave it for 7 days until you start parking your car on top of the surface.

Weather-resistant

As a weather-resistant material, tarmac repels water very well, better known and impermeable, and is one of the better options for cold conditions as well.

The only issue this may raise is with drainage, so you will need to ensure that any water doesn't pass onto public spaces; otherwise, you may require planning permission.

Durable and Long-lasting

Unlike concrete, tarmac doesn't crack as much. However, it still requires maintenance in the event of oil spillages - as these can cause cracking.

As a result, it is highly durable and long-lasting and can sustain a heavy flow of traffic. Considering the usage a driveway gets, tarmac almost certainly will have a long life and will only need the occasional repair here and there.

Tarmac Driveway Maintenance Costs

It is recommended to review your tarmac driveway every 5 years, committing to any repair work, such as resurfacing, as and when required. Resurfacing isn't the same as getting the job done again and is simply a new layer that is applied.

Furthermore, good tarmac paint/sealant can be used to prevent any future wear and tear or mishaps with engine oil and fluid. A good sealant can cost within the region of £3 per litre, where 5 litres will provide 6m² coverage.

Tarmac Driveway Repair Costs

A tarmac driveway can be highly resistant to the elements, but there will be occasions when repair work is necessary. Such work would include potholes.

Small repairs can be made to tarmac as it’s relatively cheap to complete and can be done with cold lay tarmac, purchase by the bag at 25kg for 0.2 m² coverage.

Any sign of oil and grease should be taken care of relatively early as this can wear away the tarmac surface, causing it to crack. Removal can be completed with a simple cleaner. Expect to pay around £10 for a 1-litre bottle of driveway cleaner, designed to remove oil.

Larger cracks and potholes can be repaired by yourself, again with cold lay tarmac, but this is only considered to be a temporary fix and professionals would encourage you to apply hot mix tarmac.

The temperatures are entirely different, and a hotter substance is most likely to bond to the existing surface. If you have small blemishes and cracks, then these can be fixed by cold lay tarmac, costing as much as £7-£15 for a single bag.

Cost of Resurfacing a Driveway

Resurfacing is significantly cheaper than starting again and having the ground excavated. On average, this will cost £55 per m² - but this can increase or decrease based on the size of the driveway and the location.

One thing to bear in mind is that you can only resurface so many times.

The reason being is it adds around 30mm to your driveway each time applied. Over time, this will rise so that it is within the damp-proof membrane of your home and could, in turn, cause rising dampness.

As an example, two resurfacing should be enough in a driveway’s lifetime, and even if it shows signs of being suitable for a resurface, it’s worth excavating and starting again to ensure the height doesn’t increase too much.

Cold Lay Tarmac vs Hot Mix Tarmac

Cold lay tarmac is much more accessible to non-tradespeople as you can purchase from a local DIY store. Available in bags of 25kg, these typically offer a minimal amount of coverage (around 0.3m²) and are best suited for repairs.

Hot-mix tarmac is cheaper the more you purchase but requires special deliveries and additional equipment.

Cold Lay Tarmac

Pros

• ✔ Easily purchased and you can pack in a normal-sized car.
• ✔ Prices can be competitive if you buy more of it.
• ✔ Saves on labour costs as can be completed by a DIY enthusiast.

Cons

• ✖ More expensive for a smaller job.
• ✖ On average, you'll need within the region of 125kg just to cover 1m². This may require more than one trip in an average-sized car.
• ✖ It's a temporary solution.
• ✖ Does not adhere to the surface as well as a hot mix tarmac due to the temperature.

Hot Mix Tarmac

Pros

• ✔ Compared to cold lay tarmac, it's much cheaper as 1 tonne will provide 8m² coverage, costing on average £45 for said tonne.
• ✔ Offers better coverage and a more permanent option.

Cons

• ✖ The added expense of delivery as sold by the tonne, it cannot be collected in a domestic vehicle - £100-£150.
• ✖ The mixture is kept heated in transit, so it ideally needs to be applied the moment it arrives.
• ✖ Requires ample storage space and will need to be laid on a tarpaulin in the meantime.

Concrete vs Tarmac Driveways

Generally speaking, tarmac driveways are more cost-effective than concrete driveways.

One of the first things that comes to mind is the durability. Tarmac handles the rain and snowy conditions very well, unlike concrete, which also has the habit of cracking. However, the average lifespan of tarmac is 20 years, whereas concrete is double that and also does not require any sealants and minimal maintenance.

Furthermore, tarmac is a much swifter installation job as work can be carried out on various surfaces with minimal preparation work and can harden in 8-10 hours. Tarmac is unlike concrete, which requires a lot more preparation, excavation and time for the concrete to cure - typically a couple of days.

There are differences in price too. While the average price for tarmac can be between £45-£65 per m², concrete weighs in at £85 per m² on average.

Tarmac

Pros

• ✔ Easy installation.
• ✔ Can be poured over to a variety of substances (excluding lawns).
• ✔ Excellent in the wet and snow.
• ✔ Cheaper.
• ✔ Can be resurfaced rather than paying out for a new driveway.

Cons

• ✖ Tarmac requires sealants every 5 years for maximum durability.
• ✖ 20-year lifespan (if looked after).
• ✖ Can get excessively hot in the summer.

Concrete

Pros

• ✔ Concrete doesn't require sealant.
• ✔ Lasts for 40 years if well maintained.

Cons

• ✖ Much more expensive.
• ✖ Needs additional preparation before pouring.
• ✖ Prone to cracking.

Cleaning and Maintaining a Tarmac Driveway

There are a variety of elements that can wear on the surface of your driveway that can simply be cleaned to make it more durable over time and offer a more appealing appearance.

There are driveway cleaning services available and to clean a driveway and seal it costs around £10 per m², so a 40m² driveway would cost £400 for a job that should take around 6 hours.

Of course, you can do the cleaning and maintenance yourself. This process will significantly save on labour costs but will take much longer, and you will need different products for each job.

• Oil patches and grease - Gunk driveway cleaner, or similar, at 2L for £10 on average removed engine spills with ease.
• Algae and moss - standard driveway cleaners cost around £10 for 2.5l, covering 85m².
• Weedkiller - a typical household spray only costs £1.50 and works within 24 hours.
• Push sweeper - instead of hiring equipment, a dedicated machine can cost within £130 and clean faster than conventional brushes. Pressure washers, though fast, can damage the tarmac.

Alternatives to a Tarmac Driveway

Tarmac is the most cost-effective driveway solution with various benefits that have already been covered. Still, there are alternatives, each with their perks and the material you use in your next project needn't be limited to just one or two options.

Gravel Driveway

Gravel is the cheapest method and can sometimes look like the most attractive option in some areas.

The price is around the £25 per m² mark for an overlay and double that for when digging is required. One of the issues with gravel is it is continually being moved, and it involves a lot of maintenance. Additionally, it can become very dusty. However, gravel doesn't sink or crack and can easily be topped up.

Block Paving Driveway

Block paving has a high aesthetic appeal as the designs available are limitless, and if there are any areas of damage, individual blocks can be removed and replaced.

This is a timely option. You are not only paying for the cost of materials but the skills of the paver. Additionally, a foundation of sand is required for the blocks to rest on and requires a sealant. Expect to pay around £47 per m².

Resin Driveway

Resin is similar to gravel, only the material is much more compact and less likely to move; the top layer features a resin film.

Due to its permeable qualities, it's efficient for sloping driveways. The average cost for resin will be around £40 per m². but can increase significantly depending on the materials used, and a higher-end price is more in the region of £70 per m².

Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways come in at £85 per m², so one of the costly options, concrete does have a lifespan of 40 years if well looked after.

Unlike tarmac, it doesn't require sealant, but it is prone to cracking and not so good in poor weather conditions.

Cost of Removing a Tarmac Driveway

Perhaps you need to update or replace your existing driveway, have had to undertake works on drainage, and, as a result, will have to have your driveway removed.

Tarmac is an easier material to work with. It's mostly labour-intensive and doesn't necessarily need skilled workers to complete. It is something you could do yourself as you don't need specialist equipment, but it will take a good deal of time and, among many things, will need to skip hire and removal. For a 4 to 5-yard skip, you could be looking at £110-£240, which would be sufficient for an average-sized driveway.

If you employ professionals to do this for you, it's a lot less hassle and could only take a day or two to complete. Expect to pay the same day rate as it would cost for a driveway installed:

• 1-2 days work, including skip hire and removal (as provided by labourers) £300-£800.

Hiring a Tarmacer Checklist

Tarmacing requires attention to detail to ensure the driveway has suitable drainage solutions and that the tarmac is laid on good quality groundings.

• Get a minimum of two quotes and get them in writing. Have the company inspect the drive rather than quote over the phone too - as you could save a lot of money if only resurfacing is required rather than full excavation.
• Check out customer reviews and testimonials. If possible, try to arrange a viewing of a current job or their previous work. Sometimes tarmacing a driveway can look great on the surface, but over time it shows signs of poor craftsmanship.
• Ask about their range of experience. This is because you need to ensure that the new driveway has sufficient drainage; otherwise, this can cause serious problems.
• Check what the quote for the tarmac driveway includes. For example, if the work will be carried out by hand or by using heavy machinery (this will indicate timescale and possibly quality).
• Check to see how many people will be doing the job and whether if there are any additional charges to the quote if the job goes over the proposed timescale.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.realhomes.com/advice/how-to-update-your-drive
https://www.bestcosurfacing.co.uk
https://www.tarmaseal.co.uk/product/tarmac-restorer-red/
https://www.smartseal.co.uk/
https://sealmaster.net/
https://www.pavingexpert.com/tarmac02
https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/decorative-kerbs-and-caps/marshalls-tegula-traditional-kerb-edging-130mm-x-160mm-x-250mm/p/838045
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarmacadam