Tarmac driveway resurfacing in Cambridge

What does tarmac resurfacing cost in Cambridge?

Guide prices below are for Cambridge, adjusted for the East of England, where surfacing rates run about 5% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac resurfacing over a sound existing base	£26–£47 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£870–£1,550
Example: 50 m² drive	£1,300–£2,350
Example: 80 m² drive	£2,100–£3,800

As a 2026 guide in Cambridge, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £26–£47 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £2,100–£3,800. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Cambridge: the local details

The key facts for Cambridge. As one of the larger towns in Cambridgeshire, Cambridge sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: CB2, CB1, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB22, CB24
Area: Cambridgeshire
Nearest towns: St Ives (12 miles), Ely (15 miles), Huntingdon (16 miles), St Neots (16 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in St Ives, Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots, March.

Do I need permission in Cambridge?

In England, householder permitted development (Class F of the 2015 General Permitted Development Order) lets you lay a hard surface in front of a house without planning permission if it is porous, or if the rainwater is directed to a permeable area within the property. If the area is more than 5 m² and neither applies, you need permission. Standard dense tarmac is not porous, so a dense tarmac drive needs a lawn, border, channel to a soakaway or other permeable route for its water. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Layer by layer

What is included in tarmac resurfacing?

Tarmac resurfacing, or an overlay, means cleaning and repairing an existing drive, spraying a bond coat and laying a new surface course of about 25–40 mm on top, without digging out the base.

Survey of the existing base: sinking, rutting, loose edges and drainage
Cut out and patch failed areas before overlaying
Plane or cut back at thresholds, kerbs and covers so levels still work
Weed treatment and a clean surface
Edges sealed and joints to existing surfaces cut neatly

Your questions answered

Can I get a free survey in Cambridge?

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.

How much does tarmac resurfacing cost in Cambridge?

As a 2026 guide in Cambridge, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £26–£47 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £2,100–£3,800. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Do you cover all of Cambridge?

We cover Cambridge including CB2, CB1, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB22, and nearby St Ives, Ely, Huntingdon.

What approvals apply in Cambridge?

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).

More we do in Cambridge

Tell us what you have in mind for Cambridge and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.