Tar and chip driveways in the Scottish Borders
Tar and chip driveways in the Scottish Borders are priced from a site survey and an itemised specification, adjusted for Scotland rates.
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in the Scottish Borders?
Rates in the Scottish Borders follow Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base | £44–£74 per m² |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £2,200–£3,700 |
| Example: 100 m² drive | £4,400–£7,350 |
| Example: 200 m² drive | £8,400–£13,950 |
Towns we cover in the Scottish Borders
Postcode areas: EH, TD.
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
- Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
- 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
Rules in the Scottish Borders
In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the council as roads authority.
How it is built
Tar and chip driveways in the Scottish Borders: questions
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in the Scottish Borders?
As a 2026 guide, about £44–£74 per m² inc VAT in the Scottish Borders. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in the Scottish Borders do you cover?
Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles, Kelso, Selkirk.
How long does a tar and chip driveway take?
Often 1–3 days depending on base work.
Will the stones come loose?
A few loose chippings are normal at first and are swept up. Once bedded in by traffic, the surface holds well. A double dressing gives a tighter finish.
Other services in the Scottish Borders
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