Tar and chip driveways in Essex
Looking for tar and chip driveways in Essex? Start with a guide price, then a survey that turns it into a fixed, written specification.
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Essex?
Rates in Essex follow the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base | £47–£79 per m² |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £2,350–£3,950 |
| Example: 100 m² drive | £4,700–£7,900 |
| Example: 200 m² drive | £9,000–£14,950 |
Towns we cover in Essex
- Southend-on-Sea
- Basildon
- Colchester
- Chelmsford
- Harlow
- Grays
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Clacton-on-Sea
- South Benfleet
- Canvey Island
- Billericay
- Loughton
- Rayleigh
- Stanford-le-Hope
- Wickford
- Witham
- Pitsea
- Maldon
- Waltham Abbey
- South Ockendon
- Harwich
- Hadleigh
- Walton-on-the-Naze
- Frinton-on-Sea
- Rochford
- Saffron Walden
Postcode areas: CB, CM, CO, DY, EN, RM, SS.
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
- Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
- Chippings spread straight onto the binder
- Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
- Second coat where a double dressing is specified
Rules in Essex
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).
Tar and chip driveways in Essex: questions
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Essex?
As a 2026 guide, about £47–£79 per m² inc VAT in Essex. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Essex do you cover?
Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow, Grays, Braintree, Brentwood and more.
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 Essex
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