Tarmac paths and footpaths in Edinburgh
Homeowners in Edinburgh ask us about tarmac paths for the same reason: a surface that stays flat, drains properly and still looks tidy in ten years. That comes down to the build underneath.

Tarmac path prices in Edinburgh
These Edinburgh guide prices reflect rates in Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid | £54–£88 per m² |
| Example: 10 m² path | £650–£1,050 |
| Example: 20 m² path | £1,200–£1,950 |
| Example: 40 m² path | £2,150–£3,550 |
As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, tarmac path work runs at about £54–£88 per m² including VAT, so a 10 m² path is roughly £650–£1,050. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.
The build-up we price
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
- Excavation to about 150–180 mm with spoil removed
- MOT Type 1 base, about 100 mm, compacted
- Binder and surface course laid hot by hand and rolled
- Gentle cross-fall so water runs off to the border
Edinburgh: the local details
Edinburgh at a glance. We cover Edinburgh as part of our regular Edinburgh and the Lothians rounds.
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, EH6, EH5
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Nearest towns
- Musselburgh (6 miles), Dalkeith (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles), Dalgety Bay (8 miles)
- Pricing
- Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint
- Kerb approvals
- The council
Nearby, we work in Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Dalgety Bay, Prestonpans.
Planning and kerb rules for Edinburgh
Repairs, paths and edging work rarely need planning permission. In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size.
Your questions answered
Which Edinburgh postcodes do you cover?
We cover Edinburgh including EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, and nearby Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg.
Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Edinburgh?
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 quickly can work start in Edinburgh?
Often 1–2 days. We book Edinburgh surveys alongside other jobs in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.
How much does a tarmac path cost in Edinburgh?
As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, tarmac path work runs at about £54–£88 per m² including VAT, so a 10 m² path is roughly £650–£1,050. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.
More we do in Edinburgh
- Tar and chip driveways
- Permeable tarmac driveways
- Tarmac driveway resurfacing
- Red tarmac driveways
- Front garden to tarmac driveway
- Car park and yard repairs
- Everything in Edinburgh
Tell us what you have in mind for Edinburgh and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.
Tarmac paths and footpaths in Edinburgh: 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