Car Park Surfacing

Car park surfacing for a new site means building a pavement for repeated vehicle traffic: excavation, a deeper compacted sub-base, a dense asphalt binder course and a surface course, with kerbs, drainage and lining.

What is included in car park surfacing?

Site survey: ground, levels, drainage outfall, access for plant
Layout drawn: bays, aisles, accessible bays and pedestrian routes
Excavation and disposal
Sub-base about 200–300 mm, subject to ground assessment
Dense binder course, about 60 mm
Surface course, about 30–40 mm
Kerbs, gullies, channels and connections
Bay lines, hatching and arrows

How is it built?

How much does car park surfacing cost?

As a 2026 guide at our UK midpoint rate, £50–£85 per m² ex VAT. Edging, drainage and access are itemised separately where they apply.

Item	Guide price (ex VAT)
New car park or yard: dig-out, 200–300 mm sub-base, binder and surface course	£50–£85 per m² (£60–£102 inc VAT)
Example: 200 m² car park	£10,000–£17,000 (£12,000–£20,400 inc VAT)
Example: 400 m² car park	£20,000–£34,000 (£24,000–£40,800 inc VAT)
Example: 800 m² car park	£36,800–£62,550 (£44,150–£75,050 inc VAT)

Rates vary by region:

Region	Guide (ex VAT)
London	£60–£102 per m²
South East	£55–£94 per m²
East of England	£52–£89 per m²
South West	£52–£88 per m²
West Midlands	£50–£85 per m²
East Midlands	£49–£83 per m²
North West	£48–£82 per m²
Yorkshire and the Humber	£48–£82 per m²
North East	£46–£79 per m²
Wales	£48–£81 per m²
Scotland	£49–£83 per m²
Northern Ireland	£44–£75 per m²

Guides only. Your survey turns these into a fixed written price. Full price list · Guide price tool

When it suits

Surgeries, churches, schools and community buildings
Small offices and shops
Housing management companies and landlords

Watch out for

Large sealed areas need drainage approval and sometimes SuDS
Lorries and buses need an engineered design, not a car park build
Night or weekend working may be needed to keep a business open

How long does it take and how long does it last?

On site: Often 1–2 weeks for a small car park, depending on drainage
Lifespan: Often 15–20 years before a resurface, with repairs as needed

Do I need planning permission?

Householder permitted development covers houses only. Car parks, yards, flats and business premises follow normal planning rules: resurfacing an existing area on the same footprint is generally fine, while a new car park, a change of use or new drainage may need permission. Check with the planning authority before any new hard area.

What happens next?

Tell us about the job
Use the guide price tool, the form, WhatsApp or the phone. A postcode, rough size and a couple of photos are enough to start.
Survey and measure
We check the ground, levels, edges, drainage and access, and the planning and kerb position where it applies.
Written specification and price
You get an itemised quote listing every layer, the edging, drainage, waste and VAT. The price is fixed once the spec is agreed.
Build day
Dig-out and base first, then hot binder and surface course rolled in, edges finished and the site cleared. You get aftercare notes before we leave.

Car park surfacing: questions

How much does a new car park cost per m²?

As a 2026 guide, about £50–£85 per m² excluding VAT for a small new car park with a full build. Drainage, kerbs and lining are itemised on the quote; larger sites cost less per m².

How thick should a car park be?

For cars and light vans, a common starting point is 200–300 mm of compacted Type 1, about 60 mm of binder and 30–40 mm of surface course. Ground strength and traffic decide the final design.

Do we need planning permission for a car park?

Often yes for a new car park, a change of use or new drainage. Resurfacing an existing car park on the same footprint usually does not need permission. Check with your planning authority.

Can you mark accessible bays?

Yes. We lay out standard and accessible bays to the dimensions your designer or BS 8300-1 guidance sets, with hatched access zones.

Can the car park stay open while you work?

Often in phases. We plan the work so part of the car park stays usable, or work at quieter times by agreement.

Where do we offer car park surfacing work?

Across the UK. Choose your area for local prices and towns.

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