Red tarmac driveways in Portishead

What does a red tarmac driveway cost in Portishead?

These Portishead guide prices reflect rates in the South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£77–£118 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,550–£3,900
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,850–£5,900
Example: 80 m² drive	£6,200–£9,500

As a 2026 guide in Portishead, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £77–£118 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,850–£5,900. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Portishead

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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Where we work in and around Portishead

Survey cover and pricing for Portishead. Portishead is covered on our Somerset rounds, 19 miles from Bath.

Postcodes: BS20, BS11
Area: Somerset
Nearest towns: Nailsea (3 miles), Clevedon (5 miles), Bristol (8 miles), Keynsham (13 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Nailsea, Clevedon, Bristol, Keynsham, Weston-super-Mare.

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

The build-up we price

Questions about red tarmac driveways in Portishead

How much does a red tarmac driveway cost in Portishead?

As a 2026 guide in Portishead, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £77–£118 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,850–£5,900. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long does a red tarmac driveway take in Portishead?

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

Can I get a free survey in Portishead?

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.

Which Portishead postcodes do you cover?

We cover Portishead including BS20, BS11, and nearby Nailsea, Clevedon, Bristol.

Other work in Portishead

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