New tarmac driveways in Colchester

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Colchester?

These Colchester guide prices reflect rates in the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£63–£100 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,100–£3,300
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,150–£5,000
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,050–£8,000

As a 2026 guide in Colchester, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,150–£5,000. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Colchester

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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Colchester: the local details

Survey cover and pricing for Colchester. As one of the larger towns in Essex, Colchester sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: CO1, CO2, CO4, CO3, CO7, CO6
Area: Essex
Nearest towns: Clacton-on-Sea (13 miles), Witham (13 miles), Maldon (15 miles), Braintree (15 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Colchester: Clacton-on-Sea, Witham, Maldon, Braintree, Frinton-on-Sea.

The build-up we price

What we do on 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
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

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Colchester

How long will the work take at my Colchester property?

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

What is the price of a new tarmac driveway in Colchester?

As a 2026 guide in Colchester, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,150–£5,000. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Is the survey in Colchester 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.

Do you work in my part of Colchester?

We cover Colchester including CO1, CO2, CO4, CO3, CO7, CO6, and nearby Clacton-on-Sea, Witham, Maldon.

Also in Colchester

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