Tarmac paths and footpaths in Reading

How much should I budget in Reading?

These Reading guide prices reflect rates in the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid	£61–£99 per m²
Example: 10 m² path	£730–£1,200
Example: 20 m² path	£1,350–£2,200
Example: 40 m² path	£2,400–£3,950

As a 2026 guide in Reading, tarmac path work runs at about £61–£99 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,350–£2,200. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Covering Reading

The key facts for Reading. As one of the larger towns in Berkshire, Reading sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: RG1, RG4, RG30, RG31
Area: Berkshire
Nearest towns: Earley (3 miles), Wokingham (7 miles), Crowthorne (10 miles), Yateley (10 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Earley, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Yateley, Bracknell.

What the price covers

Garden paths, side passages and footpaths in hot-laid tarmac, edged with timber, kerbs or blocks.

Excavation to about 150–180 mm with spoil removed
MOT Type 1 base, about 100 mm, compacted
Timber, kerb or block edging on both sides
Binder and surface course laid hot by hand and rolled
Gentle cross-fall so water runs off to the border

Rules that apply in Reading

Repairs, paths and edging work rarely need planning permission. 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.

Questions about tarmac paths in Reading

Tarmac path cost in Reading: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Reading, tarmac path work runs at about £61–£99 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,350–£2,200. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long will the work take at my Reading property?

Often 1–2 days. We book Reading surveys alongside other jobs in Berkshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Do you work in my part of Reading?

We cover Reading including RG1, RG4, RG30, RG31, and nearby Earley, Wokingham, Crowthorne.

Do I need permission for a tarmac path in Reading?

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).