New tarmac driveways in Carshalton

New tarmac driveway prices in Carshalton

Local guide rates for Carshalton (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 Carshalton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£3,750. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

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
Dig to formation level, usually around 230–250 mm below finished height
Geotextile membrane where the ground is soft or clay
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled

Carshalton: the local details

What applies in Carshalton. Carshalton is one of the bigger places we cover in Greater London, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: SM5, SM6, SM1
Area: Greater London
Nearest towns: Sutton (2 miles), Mitcham (2 miles), Morden (2 miles), Croydon (3 miles)
Pricing: London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Sutton, Mitcham, Morden, Croydon, South Croydon.

Rules that apply in Carshalton

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).

Your questions answered

How long will the work take at my Carshalton property?

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

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

As a 2026 guide in Carshalton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£3,750. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

What approvals apply in Carshalton?

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).

Do you work in my part of Carshalton?

We cover Carshalton including SM5, SM6, SM1, and nearby Sutton, Mitcham, Morden.

Other work in Carshalton

Ready for a price in Carshalton? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.