Tarmac paths and footpaths in Dartford

Tarmac path prices in Dartford

Guide prices below are for Dartford, adjusted for the South East, where surfacing rates run 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 Dartford, tarmac path work runs at about £61–£99 per m² including VAT, so a 40 m² path is roughly £2,400–£3,950. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Dartford

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 the price covers

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

Where we work in and around Dartford

What applies in Dartford. Dartford sits 18 miles from Maidstone, within our regular Kent cover.

Postcodes: DA1, DA2, DA8
Area: Kent
Nearest towns: Bexley (3 miles), Swanley (4 miles), Swanscombe (4 miles), Welling (5 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Bexley, Swanley, Swanscombe, Welling, South Ockendon.

Your questions answered

Which Dartford postcodes do you cover?

We cover Dartford including DA1, DA2, DA8, and nearby Bexley, Swanley, Swanscombe.

How much does a tarmac path cost in Dartford?

As a 2026 guide in Dartford, tarmac path work runs at about £61–£99 per m² including VAT, so a 40 m² path is roughly £2,400–£3,950. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Do I need permission for a tarmac path in Dartford?

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).

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

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.

Also in Dartford

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