Driveways and paths

Tar and chip driveways in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Tar and chip driveways in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are priced from a site survey and an itemised specification, adjusted for Scotland rates.

ABERDEEN AND ABERDEENSHIRE GUIDE£44–£74 per m² inc VAT
Tar and chip driveway with golden chippings leading to a country cottage, typical of tar and chip driveway work

How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?

Rates in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire follow Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint.

ItemGuide price (inc VAT)
Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base£44–£74 per m²
Example: 50 m² drive£2,200–£3,700
Example: 100 m² drive£4,400–£7,350
Example: 200 m² drive£8,400–£13,950

Towns we cover in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Postcode areas: AB.

What is included?

Tar and chip, also called surface dressing, is a layer of bitumen sprayed onto a prepared base and immediately covered with stone chippings, which are rolled in so the surface looks like gravel but behaves like a bound drive.

  • Base prepared: new MOT Type 1 sub-base, or an existing sound tarmac or stone base
  • Edges set with kerbs, setts or cobbles
  • Chippings spread straight onto the binder
  • Rolled to bed the stones in
  • Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
  • Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Rules in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

In Scotland, permitted development allows a hard surface between a house and a road only if it is porous or the water drains to a porous area within the property. Unlike England there is no 5 m² allowance, so it applies to any size. Conservation areas and the grounds of listed buildings have extra restrictions. The council, as roads authority, controls any new or widened access across a footway.

Tar and chip driveways in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: questions

How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?

As a 2026 guide, about £44–£74 per m² inc VAT in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The survey confirms a fixed price.

Which towns in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire do you cover?

Aberdeen, Peterhead, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Westhill, Stonehaven, Ellon.

How long does a tar and chip driveway take?

Often 1–3 days depending on base work.

How much does a tar and chip driveway cost?

As a 2026 guide, about £45–£75 per m² including VAT with a new sub-base. On an existing sound base it costs less; the saving over tarmac grows on bigger areas because spraying is quick once the equipment is on site.

Other services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Free survey for new surfacing

Get a written tarmac quote

Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.

  • Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
  • Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
  • Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
  • Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED
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