New tarmac driveways in Hove

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Hove?

Local guide rates for Hove (the South East, 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 Hove, 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.

Planning and kerb rules for Hove

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.

What is included in a new tarmac driveway?

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.

Dig to formation level, usually around 230–250 mm below finished height
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
Falls set so water runs to a channel, gully or soft landscaping

Hove: the local details

Survey cover and pricing for Hove. We cover Hove as part of our regular East Sussex rounds.

Postcodes: BN52, BN3
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Brighton (1 mile), Portslade (2 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (5 miles), Rottingdean (5 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Brighton, Portslade, Shoreham-by-Sea, Rottingdean, Lancing.

Your questions answered

How long will the work take at my Hove property?

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

Is the survey in Hove free?

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.

New tarmac driveway cost in Hove: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Hove, 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.

What approvals apply in Hove?

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).

Also in Hove

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