Red tarmac driveways in Edinburgh

What does a red tarmac driveway cost in Edinburgh?

For Edinburgh, we apply the Scottish rate, about 2% 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	£74–£113 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,450–£3,700
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,700–£5,650
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,900–£9,000

As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £74–£113 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,900–£9,000. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Covering Edinburgh

What applies in Edinburgh. As one of the larger towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians, Edinburgh sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, EH6, EH5
Area: Edinburgh and the Lothians
Nearest towns: Musselburgh (6 miles), Dalkeith (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles), Dalgety Bay (8 miles)
Pricing: Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The council

Close to Edinburgh: Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Dalgety Bay, Prestonpans.

Planning and kerb rules for Edinburgh

In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the council as roads authority.

What the price covers

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
Contrasting block or kerb border as edge restraint
Colour sample discussed before ordering
Falls and drainage set as for any new drive

Edinburgh: common questions

What approvals apply in Edinburgh?

In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size. Dropped kerbs are approved by the council as roads authority.

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

As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £74–£113 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,900–£9,000. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Do you cover all of Edinburgh?

We cover Edinburgh including EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, and nearby Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg.

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

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.

More we do in Edinburgh

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