Tar and chip driveways in Hertfordshire
Across in Hertfordshire, we cover 20 towns for tar and chip driveways, including Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage.
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Hertfordshire?
Rates in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire
- Watford
- Hemel Hempstead
- Stevenage
- St Albans
- Welwyn Garden City
- Cheshunt
- Hatfield
- Bishops Stortford
- Borehamwood
- Hitchin
- Hoddesdon
- Letchworth Garden City
- Harpenden
- Bushey
- Hertford
- Rickmansworth
- Potters Bar
- Berkhamsted
- Ware
- Royston
Postcode areas: AL, CM, EN, HA, HP, SG, WD.
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 Hertfordshire
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.
Tar and chip driveways in Hertfordshire: questions
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Hertfordshire?
As a 2026 guide, about £47–£79 per m² inc VAT in Hertfordshire. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Hertfordshire do you cover?
Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Cheshunt, Hatfield, Bishops Stortford and more.
How long does a tar and chip driveway take?
Often 1–3 days depending on base work.
Does tar and chip need planning permission?
Tar and chip is a sealed surface, so treat it like tarmac: in England, over 5 m² in front of the house needs the water to drain to a permeable area within the property, or planning permission.
Other services in Hertfordshire
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