Tar and chip driveways in Galashiels
Homeowners in Galashiels ask us about tar and chip driveways for the same reason: a surface that stays flat, drains properly and still looks tidy in ten years. That comes down to the build underneath.
How much should I budget in Galashiels?
These Galashiels guide prices reflect rates in 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 |
As a 2026 guide in Galashiels, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £44–£74 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.
Do I need permission in Galashiels?
In Scotland, permitted development allows a hard surface between a house and a road only if it is porous or the water drains to a porous area within the property. Unlike England there is no 5 m² allowance, so it applies to any size. Conservation areas and the grounds of listed buildings have extra restrictions. The council, as roads authority, controls any new or widened access across a footway.
Covering Galashiels
What applies in Galashiels. Smaller towns such as Galashiels are surveyed alongside nearby jobs in the Scottish Borders.
- Postcodes
- TD1, TD6, TD4
- Area
- Scottish Borders
- Nearest towns
- Selkirk (5 miles), Hawick (13 miles), Kelso (15 miles), Peebles (15 miles)
- Pricing
- Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint
- Kerb approvals
- The council
We also cover nearby Selkirk, Hawick, Kelso, Peebles.
What the price covers
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
- Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
- Second coat where a double dressing is specified
Questions about tar and chip driveways in Galashiels
Do you work in my part of Galashiels?
We cover Galashiels including TD1, TD6, TD4, and nearby Selkirk, Hawick, Kelso.
Is the survey in Galashiels free?
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.
What approvals apply in Galashiels?
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. Dropped kerbs are approved by the council as roads authority.
How long will the work take at my Galashiels property?
Often 1–3 days depending on base work. We book Galashiels surveys alongside other jobs in the Scottish Borders, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.
Other work in Galashiels
- Red tarmac driveways
- Permeable tarmac driveways
- New tarmac driveways
- Private and access road surfacing
- Front garden to tarmac driveway
- Tarmac driveway repairs
- Everything in Galashiels
Ready for a price in Galashiels? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.
Tar and chip driveways in Galashiels: get a written 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