Driveways and paths · Greater London

New tarmac driveways in Hornchurch

A good new tarmac driveway in Hornchurch looks the same as a poor one on the day it is laid. The difference shows a few winters later, which is why our quotes list what goes underneath.

HORNCHURCH GUIDE£72–£114 per m² inc VAT
Wide new tarmac driveway with granite sett border leading to a garage, typical of new tarmac driveway work

New tarmac driveway prices in Hornchurch

Local guide rates for Hornchurch (London, about 20% above our UK midpoint):

ItemGuide 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 Hornchurch, 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.

What is included in 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
  • Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled
  • Falls set so water runs to a channel, gully or soft landscaping

Planning and kerb rules for Hornchurch

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).

Hornchurch: the local details

The key facts for Hornchurch. Hornchurch is one of the bigger places we cover in Greater London, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes
RM12, RM11, RM14
Area
Greater London
Nearest towns
Romford (2 miles), Dagenham (2 miles), South Ockendon (4 miles), Thamesmead (6 miles)
Pricing
London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals
The highway authority

We also cover nearby Romford, Dagenham, South Ockendon, Thamesmead, Brentwood.

The build-up we price

Surface course20–30 mm AC 6 denseBinder course50–60 mm AC 20 denseSub-baseabout 150 mm MOT Type 1Edgeskerbs or blocks on a concrete haunchINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Hornchurch

Can I get a free survey in Hornchurch?

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.

Are there planning or highway rules in Hornchurch?

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 Hornchurch?

We cover Hornchurch including RM12, RM11, RM14, and nearby Romford, Dagenham, South Ockendon.

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

As a 2026 guide in Hornchurch, 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.

More we do in Hornchurch

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

Free survey for new surfacing

New tarmac driveways in Hornchurch: get a written quote

Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.

  • Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
  • Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
  • Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
  • Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED
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