Tarmac paths and footpaths in Bishops Stortford

How much should I budget in Bishops Stortford?

Local guide rates for Bishops Stortford (the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid	£58–£94 per m²
Example: 10 m² path	£690–£1,150
Example: 20 m² path	£1,250–£2,100
Example: 40 m² path	£2,300–£3,800

As a 2026 guide in Bishops Stortford, tarmac path work runs at about £58–£94 per m² including VAT, so a 40 m² path is roughly £2,300–£3,800. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What the price covers

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

Do I need permission in Bishops Stortford?

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.

Covering Bishops Stortford

What applies in Bishops Stortford. Bishops Stortford is 28 miles from Watford, and we survey there as part of Hertfordshire cover.

Postcodes: CM23, CM24, CM22, SG10, SG11
Area: Hertfordshire
Nearest towns: Harlow (7 miles), Ware (9 miles), Hoddesdon (10 miles), Saffron Walden (11 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Harlow, Ware, Hoddesdon, Saffron Walden, Hertford.

The build-up we price

Bishops Stortford: common questions

Do I need permission for a tarmac path in Bishops Stortford?

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).

How much does a tarmac path cost in Bishops Stortford?

As a 2026 guide in Bishops Stortford, tarmac path work runs at about £58–£94 per m² including VAT, so a 40 m² path is roughly £2,300–£3,800. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long will the work take at my Bishops Stortford property?

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

Is the survey in Bishops Stortford free?

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.

More we do in Bishops Stortford

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