New tarmac driveways in Chelsea

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Chelsea?

These Chelsea 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 Chelsea, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,600–£5,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

What the price covers

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
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
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

Where we work in and around Chelsea

Survey cover and pricing for Chelsea. Chelsea is one of the bigger places we cover in Greater London, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: SW3, SW10, SW7
Area: Greater London
Nearest towns: Battersea (1 mile), Fulham (1 mile), Westminster (2 miles), Shepherds Bush (3 miles)
Pricing: London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Battersea, Fulham, Westminster, Shepherds Bush, Putney.

Rules that apply in Chelsea

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

Your questions answered

Which Chelsea postcodes do you cover?

We cover Chelsea including SW3, SW10, SW7, and nearby Battersea, Fulham, Westminster.

Can I get a free survey in Chelsea?

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.

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

As a 2026 guide in Chelsea, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,600–£5,700. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How quickly can work start in Chelsea?

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

Other work in Chelsea

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