Tarmac paths and footpaths in Durham

How much should I budget in Durham?

These Durham guide prices reflect rates in the North East, about 7% below our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid	£51–£84 per m²
Example: 10 m² path	£610–£1,000
Example: 20 m² path	£1,150–£1,850
Example: 40 m² path	£2,050–£3,350

As a 2026 guide in Durham, tarmac path work runs at about £51–£84 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,150–£1,850. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Durham

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.

What is included in a tarmac path?

A tarmac path is a lighter version of a drive build: a compacted stone base of around 100 mm, a binder course and a fine surface course, laid by hand and held in by timber edging, kerbs or blocks.

Path set out to the line and width you want
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

Layer by layer

Durham: the local details

The key facts for Durham. We reach Durham on our County Durham survey days; Darlington is 17 miles away.

Postcodes: DH1, DH7, DH6
Area: County Durham
Nearest towns: Spennymoor (5 miles), Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles), Stanley (8 miles)
Pricing: North East, about 7% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street, Houghton-le-Spring, Stanley, Washington.

Your questions answered

How long will the work take at my Durham property?

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

Do you cover all of Durham?

We cover Durham including DH1, DH7, DH6, and nearby Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street, Houghton-le-Spring.

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Durham?

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.

Tarmac path cost in Durham: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Durham, tarmac path work runs at about £51–£84 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,150–£1,850. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Also in Durham

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