New tarmac driveways in Rochester

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Rochester?

These Rochester 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 Rochester, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,300–£5,250. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Rochester

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).

The build-up we 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.

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
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

Where we work in and around Rochester

Rochester at a glance. Smaller towns such as Rochester are surveyed alongside nearby jobs in Kent.

Postcodes: ME1
Area: Kent
Nearest towns: Chatham (1 mile), Strood (1 mile), Gillingham (2 miles), Gravesend (7 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Chatham, Strood, Gillingham, Gravesend, Maidstone.

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Rochester

Do you cover all of Rochester?

We cover Rochester including ME1, and nearby Chatham, Strood, Gillingham.

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

As a 2026 guide in Rochester, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,300–£5,250. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

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

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 I need permission for a new tarmac driveway in Rochester?

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).

Also in Rochester

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