Tar and chip driveways in Barnstaple

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Barnstaple?

For Barnstaple, we apply the South West rate, about 3% above our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base	£46–£77 per m²
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,300–£3,850
Example: 100 m² drive	£4,650–£7,700
Example: 200 m² drive	£8,800–£14,700

As a 2026 guide in Barnstaple, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £46–£77 per m² including VAT, so a 100 m² drive is roughly £4,650–£7,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Barnstaple

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).

The build-up we price

What is included in a tar and chip driveway?

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
Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
Rolled to bed the stones in
Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Where we work in and around Barnstaple

Barnstaple at a glance. Barnstaple sits 49 miles from Plymouth, within our regular Devon cover.

Postcodes: EX31, EX32, EX33
Area: Devon
Nearest towns: Bideford (8 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Bideford.

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Barnstaple

What approvals apply in Barnstaple?

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 long will the work take at my Barnstaple property?

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

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

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 Barnstaple?

We cover Barnstaple including EX31, EX32, EX33, and nearby Bideford.

More we do in Barnstaple

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