Tarmac driveway resurfacing in Chelsea
If you are weighing up tarmac resurfacing jobs in Chelsea, the useful questions are about depth, edges and drainage. That's what our survey checks and what your quote spells out.

What does tarmac resurfacing cost in Chelsea?
These Chelsea guide prices reflect rates in London, about 20% above our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarmac resurfacing over a sound existing base | £30–£54 per m² |
| Example: 30 m² drive | £990–£1,800 |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £1,500–£2,700 |
| Example: 80 m² drive | £2,400–£4,300 |
As a 2026 guide in Chelsea, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £30–£54 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£4,300. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.
Do I need permission in Chelsea?
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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).
What we do on 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
- Plane or cut back at thresholds, kerbs and covers so levels still work
- Bond (tack) coat sprayed to glue the new layer to the old
- New surface course, typically 25–40 mm, laid hot and rolled
- Edges sealed and joints to existing surfaces cut neatly
Where we work in and around Chelsea
Survey cover and pricing for Chelsea. Chelsea is one of the bigger places we cover in Greater London, so survey slots come round regularly.
- Postcodes
- SW3, SW10, SW7
- Area
- Greater London
- Nearest towns
- Battersea (1 mile), Fulham (1 mile), Westminster (2 miles), Shepherds Bush (3 miles)
- Pricing
- London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
- Kerb approvals
- The highway authority
We also cover nearby Battersea, Fulham, Westminster, Shepherds Bush, Putney.
How it is built
Chelsea: common questions
Do I need permission for tarmac resurfacing in Chelsea?
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 Chelsea?
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 Chelsea?
As a 2026 guide in Chelsea, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £30–£54 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£4,300. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.
Do you cover all of Chelsea?
We cover Chelsea including SW3, SW10, SW7, and nearby Battersea, Fulham, Westminster.
Also in Chelsea
- Private and access road surfacing
- Car park surfacing
- Tar and chip driveways
- Tarmac paths and footpaths
- New tarmac driveways
- Red tarmac driveways
- Everything in Chelsea
Ready for a price in Chelsea? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.
Tarmac driveway resurfacing in Chelsea: 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