Tarmac driveway resurfacing in Edinburgh and the Lothians

How much does tarmac resurfacing cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?

Rates in Edinburgh and the Lothians follow Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac resurfacing over a sound existing base	£24–£44 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£810–£1,450
Example: 50 m² drive	£1,200–£2,200
Example: 80 m² drive	£1,950–£3,550

Towns we cover in Edinburgh and the Lothians

Postcode areas: EH, ML.

What is included?

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
Bond (tack) coat sprayed to glue the new layer to the old
Edges sealed and joints to existing surfaces cut neatly

Rules in Edinburgh and the Lothians

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.