New tarmac driveways in Brighton

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Brighton?

Guide prices below are for Brighton, adjusted for the South East, where surfacing rates run about 10% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£66–£105 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,200–£3,450
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,300–£5,250
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,300–£8,350

As a 2026 guide in Brighton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,300–£8,350. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What the price covers

A new tarmac driveway is built from the ground up: the old surface and soil are dug out, a compacted stone sub-base is laid, then a hot binder course and a finer surface course are spread and rolled, and the edges are held by kerbs or blocks.

Break out and remove the old surface and spoil
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

Layer by layer

Where we work in and around Brighton

Brighton at a glance. Brighton is one of the bigger places we cover in East Sussex, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: BN50, BN1, BN2
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Hove (1 mile), Portslade (3 miles), Rottingdean (4 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (6 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Brighton: Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven.

Do I need permission in Brighton?

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

Brighton: common questions

How quickly can work start in Brighton?

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

Can I get a free survey in Brighton?

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.

What approvals apply in Brighton?

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 Brighton?

As a 2026 guide in Brighton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,300–£8,350. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Other work in Brighton

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Brighton? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.