New tarmac driveways in Southampton

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Southampton?

Local guide rates for Southampton (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 Southampton, 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.

Southampton: the local details

Southampton at a glance. Southampton is one of the bigger places we cover in Hampshire, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: SO14, SO15, SO17, SO19, SO18, SO16
Area: Hampshire
Nearest towns: Hythe (3 miles), Totton (4 miles), Hedge End (5 miles), Eastleigh (5 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Hythe, Totton, Hedge End, Eastleigh, Bishopstoke.

Planning and kerb rules for Southampton

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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

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
Surface course (AC 6 dense), about 20–30 mm, laid hot and rolled

Southampton: common questions

What approvals apply in Southampton?

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).

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Southampton?

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.

How long will the work take at my Southampton property?

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

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

As a 2026 guide in Southampton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,450. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Also in Southampton

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