New tarmac driveways in Grays

How much should I budget in Grays?

These Grays 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 Grays, 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.

Grays: the local details

Grays at a glance. As one of the larger towns in Essex, Grays sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: RM17, RM16, RM20
Area: Essex
Nearest towns: Swanscombe (2 miles), South Ockendon (3 miles), Gravesend (3 miles), Dartford (5 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Swanscombe, South Ockendon, Gravesend, Dartford, Stanford-le-Hope.

How it is built

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.

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

Do I need permission in Grays?

In England, householder permitted development (Class F of the 2015 General Permitted Development Order) lets you lay a hard surface in front of a house without planning permission if it is porous, or if the rainwater is directed to a permeable area within the property. If the area is more than 5 m² and neither applies, you need permission. Standard dense tarmac is not porous, so a dense tarmac drive needs a lawn, border, channel to a soakaway or other permeable route for its water. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Your questions answered

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

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).

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

As a 2026 guide in Grays, 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.

How long will the work take at my Grays property?

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

Is the survey in Grays 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.

Also in Grays

Tell us what you have in mind for Grays and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.