Tarmac driveway resurfacing in Cowes

Tarmac resurfacing prices in Cowes

Local guide rates for Cowes (the South East, including a travel and haulage allowance because work here is by arrangement):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac resurfacing over a sound existing base	£30–£54 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£1,000–£1,800
Example: 50 m² drive	£1,500–£2,700
Example: 80 m² drive	£2,400–£4,350

As a 2026 guide in Cowes, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £30–£54 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£4,350. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

Where we work in and around Cowes

Cowes at a glance. Work in Cowes is by arrangement. Hot material has further to travel, so we group jobs and tell you about any travel cost first.

Postcodes: PO31, PO32
Area: Isle of Wight
Nearest towns: Newport (Isle of Wight) (4 miles), Ryde (6 miles), Sandown (10 miles)
Pricing: South East rates plus a travel allowance (by arrangement)
Cover: By arrangement
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Newport (Isle of Wight), Ryde, Sandown.

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
Cut out and patch failed areas before overlaying
Plane or cut back at thresholds, kerbs and covers so levels still work
New surface course, typically 25–40 mm, laid hot and rolled
Edges sealed and joints to existing surfaces cut neatly

Planning and kerb rules for Cowes

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).

Cowes: common questions

What is the price of tarmac resurfacing in Cowes?

As a 2026 guide in Cowes, tarmac resurfacing work runs at about £30–£54 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£4,350. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Which Cowes postcodes do you cover?

We cover Cowes including PO31, PO32, and nearby Newport (Isle of Wight), Ryde, Sandown. Work here is by arrangement.

Do I need permission for tarmac resurfacing in Cowes?

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).

Can I get a free survey in Cowes?

Cowes is covered by arrangement. We confirm any travel cost before booking the survey.

Other work in Cowes

Send us a postcode, a rough size and a photo or two, and we'll come back with survey dates for Cowes.