Tar and chip driveways in Chester

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Chester?

These Chester guide prices reflect rates in the North West, about 3% below our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base	£44–£73 per m²
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,200–£3,650
Example: 100 m² drive	£4,350–£7,300
Example: 200 m² drive	£8,300–£13,800

As a 2026 guide in Chester, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £44–£73 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £8,300–£13,800. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Covering Chester

The key facts for Chester. We cover Chester as part of our regular Cheshire rounds.

Postcodes: CH1, CH70, CH2, CH4, CH3
Area: Cheshire
Nearest towns: Ellesmere Port (6 miles), Neston (9 miles), Garston (10 miles), Speke (11 miles)
Pricing: North West, about 3% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Ellesmere Port, Neston, Garston, Speke, Halewood.

The build-up we price

Rules that apply in Chester

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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

What is included in 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
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

Your questions answered

How long does a tar and chip driveway take in Chester?

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

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

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 Chester postcodes do you cover?

We cover Chester including CH1, CH70, CH2, CH4, CH3, and nearby Ellesmere Port, Neston, Garston.

What approvals apply in Chester?

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).

More we do in Chester

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