Driveways and paths · Greater London

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.

CHELSEA GUIDE£30–£54 per m² inc VAT
Hot tarmac being spread with a lute rake on a driveway, typical of tarmac resurfacing work

What does tarmac resurfacing cost in Chelsea?

These Chelsea guide prices reflect rates in London, about 20% above our UK midpoint.

ItemGuide 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

New surface course25–40 mm AC 6 or AC 10Bond coatbitumen emulsion tack coatExisting driverepaired where failedExisting basemust be soundINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

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

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

Free survey for new surfacing

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
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