Red tarmac driveways in Shirley

What does a red tarmac driveway cost in Shirley?

Local guide rates for Shirley (the West Midlands, in line with our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£75–£115 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,500–£3,800
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,750–£5,750
Example: 80 m² drive	£6,000–£9,200

As a 2026 guide in Shirley, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £75–£115 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £6,000–£9,200. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Shirley

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).

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 Shirley

Shirley at a glance. Shirley is 6 miles from Birmingham, and we survey there as part of West Midlands cover.

Postcodes: B28, B27, B14, B47, B13, B38
Area: West Midlands
Nearest towns: Solihull (2 miles), Birmingham (6 miles), Smethwick (8 miles), Redditch (9 miles)
Pricing: West Midlands, in line with our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Shirley: Solihull, Birmingham, Smethwick, Redditch, Halesowen.

The build-up we price

Shirley: common questions

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

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 work in my part of Shirley?

We cover Shirley including B28, B27, B14, B47, B13, B38, and nearby Solihull, Birmingham, Smethwick.

Are there planning or highway rules in Shirley?

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).

How quickly can work start in Shirley?

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

Also in Shirley

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