Red tarmac driveways in Brighton

What does a red tarmac driveway cost in Brighton?

Guide prices below are for Brighton, adjusted for the South East, where surfacing rates run about 10% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£82–£127 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,700–£4,150
Example: 50 m² drive	£4,100–£6,350
Example: 80 m² drive	£6,600–£10,100

As a 2026 guide in Brighton, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £82–£127 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £6,600–£10,100. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What we do on 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
Contrasting block or kerb border as edge restraint
Falls and drainage set as for any new drive

Planning and kerb rules for Brighton

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.

Covering Brighton

Survey cover and pricing for Brighton. Brighton is one of the bigger places we cover in East Sussex, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: BN50, BN1, BN2
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Hove (1 mile), Portslade (3 miles), Rottingdean (4 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (6 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven.

The build-up we price

Your questions answered

Is the survey in Brighton free?

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 you cover all of Brighton?

We cover Brighton including BN50, BN1, BN2, and nearby Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean.

Red tarmac driveway cost in Brighton: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Brighton, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £82–£127 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £6,600–£10,100. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Are there planning or highway rules in Brighton?

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).

Other work in Brighton

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