Tar and chip driveways in Reading

Tar and chip driveway prices in Reading

These Reading guide prices reflect rates in the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base	£50–£82 per m²
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,500–£4,100
Example: 100 m² drive	£4,950–£8,250
Example: 200 m² drive	£9,400–£15,700

As a 2026 guide in Reading, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £50–£82 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £9,400–£15,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Reading

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

What we do on a tar and chip driveway

Hot bitumen sprayed and dressed with rolled stone chippings for a gravel look that stays put.

Base prepared: new MOT Type 1 sub-base, or an existing sound tarmac or stone base
Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
Chippings spread straight onto the binder
Rolled to bed the stones in
Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days

How it is built

Where we work in and around Reading

The key facts for Reading. We cover Reading as part of our regular Berkshire rounds.

Postcodes: RG1, RG4, RG30, RG31
Area: Berkshire
Nearest towns: Earley (3 miles), Wokingham (7 miles), Crowthorne (10 miles), Yateley (10 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Reading: Earley, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Yateley, Bracknell.

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Reading

Are there planning or highway rules in Reading?

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 Reading?

Often 1–3 days depending on base work. We book Reading surveys alongside other jobs in Berkshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Which Reading postcodes do you cover?

We cover Reading including RG1, RG4, RG30, RG31, and nearby Earley, Wokingham, Crowthorne.

How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Reading?

As a 2026 guide in Reading, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £50–£82 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £9,400–£15,700. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.