New tarmac driveways in Portsmouth

New tarmac driveway prices in Portsmouth

These Portsmouth guide prices reflect rates in the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£66–£105 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,200–£3,450
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,300–£5,250
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,300–£8,350

As a 2026 guide in Portsmouth, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,450. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Portsmouth: the local details

The key facts for Portsmouth. As one of the larger towns in Hampshire, Portsmouth sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: PO1, PO5, PO4, PO2, PO3
Area: Hampshire
Nearest towns: Gosport (2 miles), Fareham (5 miles), Hayling Island (5 miles), Havant (6 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Gosport, Fareham, Hayling Island, Havant, Waterlooville.

What is included in a new tarmac driveway?

Full dig-out, compacted stone sub-base, binder course and a fine surface course, edged and drained.

Break out and remove the old surface and spoil
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
Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled

Rules that apply in Portsmouth

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

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Portsmouth

Are there planning or highway rules in Portsmouth?

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).

Can I get a free survey in Portsmouth?

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.

Do you work in my part of Portsmouth?

We cover Portsmouth including PO1, PO5, PO4, PO2, PO3, and nearby Gosport, Fareham, Hayling Island.

How long does a new tarmac driveway take in Portsmouth?

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

Other work in Portsmouth

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