Red tarmac driveways in York

What does a red tarmac driveway cost in York?

Local guide rates for York (Yorkshire and the Humber, about 4% below our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£72–£110 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,400–£3,650
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,600–£5,500
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,750–£8,850

As a 2026 guide in York, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £72–£110 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,600–£5,500. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

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

Where we work in and around York

York at a glance. We cover York as part of our regular North Yorkshire rounds.

Postcodes: YO1, YO31, YO10, YO24, YO30, YO23, YO32, YO26
Area: North Yorkshire
Nearest towns: Selby (12 miles), Harrogate (19 miles), Ripon (22 miles)
Pricing: Yorkshire and the Humber, about 4% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to York: Selby, Harrogate, Ripon.

Planning and kerb rules for York

In England, householder permitted development (Class F of the 2015 General Permitted Development Order) lets you lay a hard surface in front of a house without planning permission if it is porous, or if the rainwater is directed to a permeable area within the property. If the area is more than 5 m² and neither applies, you need permission. Standard dense tarmac is not porous, so a dense tarmac drive needs a lawn, border, channel to a soakaway or other permeable route for its water. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Your questions answered

What approvals apply in York?

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).

Is the survey in York 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.

How quickly can work start in York?

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

Which York postcodes do you cover?

We cover York including YO1, YO31, YO10, YO24, YO30, YO23, and nearby Selby, Harrogate, Ripon.

More we do in York

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