Driveways and paths · Hertfordshire

Permeable tarmac driveways in Harpenden

A good permeable tarmac driveway in Harpenden 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.

HARPENDEN GUIDE£84–£131 per m² inc VAT
Porous asphalt driveway draining after rain with no standing water, typical of permeable tarmac driveway work

Permeable tarmac driveway prices in Harpenden

These Harpenden guide prices reflect rates in the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint.

ItemGuide price (inc VAT)
Porous asphalt drive on a permeable stone base£84–£131 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive£2,750–£4,350
Example: 50 m² drive£4,200–£6,550
Example: 80 m² drive£6,700–£10,500

As a 2026 guide in Harpenden, permeable tarmac driveway work runs at about £84–£131 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £4,200–£6,550. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

Surface courseporous asphalt, open-gradedBinder courseporous asphalt baseStorage layeropen-graded Type 3 or 4/20 stone, depth to suitFormationgeotextile on the subsoilINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

What the price covers

Open-graded porous asphalt on a deep permeable stone base, so rain soaks through on site.

  • Ground check: how fast does the soil drain?
  • Geotextile separating layer on the formation
  • Open-graded permeable sub-base, often Type 3 or 4/20 stone
  • Overflow to a soakaway or border on slow-draining ground
  • Edge restraint that does not block the flow

Covering Harpenden

What applies in Harpenden. Harpenden is 11 miles from Watford, and we survey there as part of Hertfordshire cover.

Postcodes
AL5, AL3
Area
Hertfordshire
Nearest towns
St Albans (5 miles), Luton (5 miles), Hemel Hempstead (6 miles), Welwyn Garden City (7 miles)
Pricing
East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals
The highway authority

The same service is available in St Albans, Luton, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield.

Rules that apply in Harpenden

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.

Harpenden: common questions

Which Harpenden postcodes do you cover?

We cover Harpenden including AL5, AL3, and nearby St Albans, Luton, Hemel Hempstead.

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

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 approvals apply in Harpenden?

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).

How much does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in Harpenden?

As a 2026 guide in Harpenden, permeable tarmac driveway work runs at about £84–£131 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £4,200–£6,550. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Other work in Harpenden

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

Free survey for new surfacing

Permeable tarmac driveways in Harpenden: 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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