Tarmac paths and footpaths in Brighton

How much should I budget in Brighton?

For Brighton, we apply the South East rate, about 10% above our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

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 Brighton, tarmac path work runs at about £61–£99 per m² including VAT, so a 10 m² path is roughly £730–£1,200. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

Rules that apply in Brighton

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?

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

Path set out to the line and width you want
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
Gentle cross-fall so water runs off to the border

Covering Brighton

The key facts for Brighton. We cover Brighton as part of our regular East Sussex rounds.

Postcodes: BN50, BN1, BN2
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Hove (1 mile), Portslade (3 miles), Rottingdean (4 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (6 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven.

Brighton: common questions

How long will the work take at my Brighton property?

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

Can I get a free survey in Brighton?

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.

Are there planning or highway rules in Brighton?

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).

Do you work in my part of Brighton?

We cover Brighton including BN50, BN1, BN2, and nearby Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean.

More we do in Brighton

Questions about tarmac paths in Brighton? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.