Red tarmac driveways in Holywood

How much should I budget in Holywood?

Local guide rates for Holywood (Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint):

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 Holywood, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£101 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,350. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

How it is built

Rules that apply in Holywood

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.

Where we work in and around Holywood

Holywood at a glance. We cover Holywood by grouping surveys with nearby County Down jobs; Bangor, County Down is 6 miles away.

Postcodes: BT18
Area: County Down
Nearest towns: Dundonald (3 miles), Newtownabbey (4 miles), Belfast (5 miles), Castlereagh (5 miles)
Pricing: Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: DfI Roads

Nearby, we work in Dundonald, Newtownabbey, Belfast, Castlereagh, Carrickfergus.

What the price covers

Pigmented red asphalt on the same full build, often framed with a charcoal block border.

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
Contrasting block or kerb border as edge restraint
Colour sample discussed before ordering

Questions about red tarmac driveways in Holywood

Do you cover all of Holywood?

We cover Holywood including BT18, and nearby Dundonald, Newtownabbey, Belfast.

Do I need permission for a red tarmac driveway in Holywood?

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.

Can I get a free survey in Holywood?

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 much does a red tarmac driveway cost in Holywood?

As a 2026 guide in Holywood, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£101 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,350. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Also in Holywood

Questions about red tarmac driveways in Holywood? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.