New tarmac driveways in Edinburgh

How much should I budget in Edinburgh?

For Edinburgh, we apply the Scottish rate, about 2% below our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£59–£93 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£1,950–£3,050
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,950–£4,650
Example: 80 m² drive	£4,700–£7,450

As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £59–£93 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,950–£4,650. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Where we work in and around Edinburgh

Edinburgh at a glance. We cover Edinburgh as part of our regular Edinburgh and the Lothians rounds.

Postcodes: EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, EH6, EH5
Area: Edinburgh and the Lothians
Nearest towns: Musselburgh (6 miles), Dalkeith (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles), Dalgety Bay (8 miles)
Pricing: Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The council

Close to Edinburgh: Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Dalgety Bay, Prestonpans.

Do I need permission in Edinburgh?

In Scotland, permitted development allows a hard surface between a house and a road only if it is porous or the water drains to a porous area within the property. Unlike England there is no 5 m² allowance, so it applies to any size. Conservation areas and the grounds of listed buildings have extra restrictions. The council, as roads authority, controls any new or widened access across a footway.

What the price covers

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

Break out and remove the old surface and spoil
MOT Type 1 sub-base laid and compacted in layers, about 150 mm
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
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

Edinburgh: common questions

Can I get a free survey in Edinburgh?

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.

How long will the work take at my Edinburgh property?

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

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

As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £59–£93 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,950–£4,650. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Do I need permission for a new tarmac driveway in Edinburgh?

In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size. Dropped kerbs are approved by the council as roads authority.

More we do in Edinburgh

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