Red tarmac driveways in Belfast

How much should I budget in Belfast?

For Belfast, we apply the Northern Ireland rate, about 12% below our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£66–£101 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,200–£3,350
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,300–£5,050
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,300–£8,100

As a 2026 guide in Belfast, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£101 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,300–£8,100. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Where we work in and around Belfast

The key facts for Belfast. As one of the larger towns in County Antrim, Belfast sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: BT1, BT2, BT7, BT12, BT13, BT3, BT15, BT9
Area: County Antrim
Nearest towns: Castlereagh (2 miles), Newtownabbey (4 miles), Holywood (5 miles), Dundonald (5 miles)
Pricing: Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: DfI Roads

We also cover nearby Castlereagh, Newtownabbey, Holywood, Dundonald, Lisburn.

What is included in a red tarmac driveway?

Red tarmac is ordinary asphalt with a red pigment, and often red aggregate, in the surface course, laid on the same sub-base and binder course as a black tarmac drive.

Full dig-out and MOT Type 1 sub-base, about 150 mm
Black AC 20 binder course, about 50–60 mm
Red pigmented surface course, about 20–30 mm
Colour sample discussed before ordering
Falls and drainage set as for any new drive

Planning and kerb rules for Belfast

In Northern Ireland, the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 allows a hard surface between the front of a house and a road without permission if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, once it exceeds 5 m². Listed buildings and some access changes need permission. Any new or altered vehicle access onto a public road needs approval from DfI Roads, not the council.

Your questions answered

What approvals apply in Belfast?

In Northern Ireland, more than 5 m² of hard surface in front of a house should be porous or drain to a porous area within the property; DfI Roads approves dropped kerbs. Dropped kerbs are approved by DfI Roads.

How long will the work take at my Belfast property?

Usually 2–4 working days. We book Belfast surveys alongside other jobs in County Antrim, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Can I get a free survey in Belfast?

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 is the price of a red tarmac driveway in Belfast?

As a 2026 guide in Belfast, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£101 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,300–£8,100. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Also in Belfast

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