Tar and chip driveways in Manchester

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Manchester?

These Manchester 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 Manchester, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £44–£73 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,650. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Manchester: the local details

Manchester at a glance. We cover Manchester as part of our regular Greater Manchester rounds.

Postcodes: M1, M60, M2, M4, M61, M3, M15, M8
Area: Greater Manchester
Nearest towns: Longsight (2 miles), Salford (2 miles), Failsworth (3 miles), Droylsden (4 miles)
Pricing: North West, about 3% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Longsight, Salford, Failsworth, Droylsden, Stretford.

Rules that apply in Manchester

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

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
Edges set with kerbs, setts or cobbles
Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
Chippings spread straight onto the binder
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Layer by layer

Manchester: common questions

Tar and chip driveway cost in Manchester: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Manchester, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £44–£73 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,650. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Are there planning or highway rules in Manchester?

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 Manchester property?

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

Do you cover all of Manchester?

We cover Manchester including M1, M60, M2, M4, M61, M3, and nearby Longsight, Salford, Failsworth.

Also in Manchester

Ready for a price in Manchester? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.