New tarmac driveways in Beckenham

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Beckenham?

These Beckenham guide prices reflect rates in London, about 20% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£72–£114 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,400–£3,750
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,600–£5,700
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,750–£9,100

As a 2026 guide in Beckenham, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,750–£9,100. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Covering Beckenham

What applies in Beckenham. As one of the larger towns in Greater London, Beckenham sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: BR3, SE20, SE26, BR1, BR4, BR2
Area: Greater London
Nearest towns: Catford (3 miles), Croydon (4 miles), Blackheath (4 miles), South Croydon (4 miles)
Pricing: London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Catford, Croydon, Blackheath, South Croydon, Eltham.

Rules that apply in Beckenham

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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

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
MOT Type 1 sub-base laid and compacted in layers, about 150 mm
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
Falls set so water runs to a channel, gully or soft landscaping

Beckenham: common questions

How long does a new tarmac driveway take in Beckenham?

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

Are there planning or highway rules in Beckenham?

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 Beckenham?

As a 2026 guide in Beckenham, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,750–£9,100. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Is the survey in Beckenham 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.

More we do in Beckenham

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