Tarmac driveway resurfacing in Brighton

How much should I budget in Brighton?

Local guide rates for Brighton (the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac resurfacing over a sound existing base	£28–£50 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£910–£1,650
Example: 50 m² drive	£1,400–£2,500
Example: 80 m² drive	£2,200–£3,950

As a 2026 guide in Brighton, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £28–£50 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £910–£1,650. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Brighton

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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Layer by layer

What the price covers

A new tack-coated surface course over a drive whose base is still sound: less digging, lower cost.

Survey of the existing base: sinking, rutting, loose edges and drainage
Cut out and patch failed areas before overlaying
Weed treatment and a clean surface
New surface course, typically 25–40 mm, laid hot and rolled
Edges sealed and joints to existing surfaces cut neatly

Covering Brighton

What applies in Brighton. We cover Brighton as part of our regular East Sussex rounds.

Postcodes: BN50, BN1, BN2
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Hove (1 mile), Portslade (3 miles), Rottingdean (4 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (6 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven.

Brighton: common questions

Are there planning or highway rules in Brighton?

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).

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Brighton?

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 long will the work take at my Brighton property?

Often 1–2 days for a typical drive. We book Brighton surveys alongside other jobs in East Sussex, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Do you work in my part of Brighton?

We cover Brighton including BN50, BN1, BN2, and nearby Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean.

Other work in Brighton

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