New tarmac driveways in Dorchester

How much should I budget in Dorchester?

Guide prices below are for Dorchester, adjusted for the South West, where surfacing rates run about 3% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£62–£98 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,050–£3,250
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,100–£4,900
Example: 80 m² drive	£4,950–£7,850

As a 2026 guide in Dorchester, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £62–£98 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,100–£4,900. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What the price covers

Full dig-out, compacted stone sub-base, binder course and a fine surface course, edged and drained.

Geotextile membrane where the ground is soft or clay
MOT Type 1 sub-base laid and compacted in layers, about 150 mm
Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled
Surface course (AC 6 dense), about 20–30 mm, laid hot and rolled
Falls set so water runs to a channel, gully or soft landscaping

Planning and kerb rules for Dorchester

In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Where we work in and around Dorchester

Dorchester at a glance. We cover Dorchester by grouping surveys with nearby Dorset jobs; Bournemouth is 24 miles away.

Postcodes: DT1, DT2
Area: Dorset
Nearest towns: Weymouth (7 miles), Poole (20 miles), Wimborne Minster (20 miles), Ferndown (24 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Weymouth, Poole, Wimborne Minster, Ferndown, Bournemouth.

Your questions answered

How long will the work take at my Dorchester property?

Usually 2–4 working days for a typical drive, longer with drainage or a dropped kerb. We book Dorchester surveys alongside other jobs in Dorset, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Are there planning or highway rules in Dorchester?

In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. Dropped kerbs are approved by the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

How much does a new tarmac driveway cost in Dorchester?

As a 2026 guide in Dorchester, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £62–£98 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,100–£4,900. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Dorchester?

Yes for new surfacing such as drives, paths, private roads and car parks. Small repairs are often priced from photos; if a visit is needed for a repair-only job, we tell you any charge first.

Also in Dorchester

Send us a postcode, a rough size and a photo or two, and we'll come back with survey dates for Dorchester.