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Last Updated on By Jon
Our 2024 guide to new or replacement tarmac driveways will give you all the latest information and average costs you need to save on your new drive.
Here's an updated average price list for a new tarmac driveway:
Driveway Size (m2) | Average Tarmac Price | |
---|---|---|
1m2 | £51.50 | |
10m2 | £515.00 | |
20m2 | £1,030.00 | |
30m2 | £1,545.00 | |
50m2 | £2,575.00 | |
Foundation | £515.00 - £1,030.00 | |
(Prices taken from multiple sources and averaged) Prices Checked 25/11/2024 |
Does your driveway need resurfacing? Laying tarmac not only improves the appearance of your driveway but also increases its lifespan. Tarmac driveways are low maintenance, durable and strong, reasons why homeowners prefer them. If installed properly, the tarmac should last for at least 15 years.
So what does tarmac cost for a standard driveway installation? Let’s find out.
Get Free Driveway Quotes OnlineFor a standard UK 50m2 driveway, you should expect to spend £2,575.00 to lay the tarmac surface and an additional £515.00 - £1,030.00 if foundation is needed. The price of tarmac laying is higher in large cities such as London since the demand is also high. Even with this cost, tarmac laying is one of the ways you can increase the value of your property. Even better, tarmac is low maintenance than concrete driveways and if installed properly, it can last long
For tarmac/asphalt, you should expect to pay around £51.50 per m2. This cost varies depending on the type of materials used, the size, and the driveway's current condition.
Tarmac is definitely cheaper than block paving. A block paving is more labour intensive to install per square metre and more expensive than tarmac. Generally, block paving is 5-10% more expensive than tarmac.
Tarmac is cheaper than concrete for the initial lay. However, if you consider the cost-effectiveness in terms of durability, concrete will win. Concrete driveways can last for at least 40-50 years which is a decent period considering that tarmac only lasts for about 25 years. This means that the concrete cost can be up to 50% cheaper than tarmac in the long run.
Cold lay tarmac is the more popular option available for non-professionals in DIY stores, packed in 25kgs bags. Since cold lay tarmac offers less coverage (0.2m2), it is suitable for repairs. On the other hand, hot-mix tarmac is cheaper when bought in large units but requires special equipment for delivery and installation.
The duration of tarmac laying mainly depends on the amount of work that needs to be done. A small driveway (20m2) should take around 1-2 days to install, while a larger driveway (80 m2) should take 4-5 days to lay the tarmac completely. If additional works such as dropped kerb and landscaping are needed to complement your new driveway, more time will be required to complete the project.
The duration taken to lay a tarmac driveway depends on the following factors:
Generally speaking, a standard 50m2 driveway should take 2-3 days to complete. The excavation, sub-base, drainage and any other preparation work take two days. The tarmac laying should only take a day to be completed (third day).
As evident from the discussion above, tarmac driveways come with many benefits, the most outstanding being cost-effectiveness. Even with this, there are still alternatives for tarmac, each with its own set of benefits and so your options shouldn’t be limited. Here are alternatives:
Alternative | Description |
---|---|
Resin | Just like gravel, resin driveways are compact and less prone to moving. Its name comes from the resin film installed at the top of the structural laying. Resin films have excellent permeable qualities and hence are suitable for sloping driveways. This installation's cost depends on the quality of the materials used and averages between £40 and £70 per m2. |
Gravel | This is the cheapest material to install on a driveway and if done professionally, it can be quite attractive. For an overlay, a gravel driveway should cost you £25 per m2. If digging is required, this price could double. In addition to cost-effectiveness, gravel can be easily installed and does not sink or crack. The material, however, requires a lot of maintenance and can become very dusty. |
Concrete | This is a costly tarmac alternative (£85 per m2) but one of the most durable options. Well-maintained concrete should have a lifespan of at least 40 years. Concrete does not require a sealant but will crack on continued exposure to bad weather conditions. |
Block paving | This driveway stands out for its aesthetic appeal. There are so many options/designs for this material, not to mention that the damaged blocks can be easily removed and replaced. The cost of block paving installation must factor in the cost of the material and the installer's skills. For the blocks to be effectively installed, a foundation of sand coupled with a sealant is required. For block paving, expect to pay an average of £47 per m2. |
If you are skilled in resurfacing driveways and are okay with the time requirements that the project requires, then tarmac installation can be done as a DIY. The downside of this is that it is not cost-effective. If you handle the task yourself, you will spend £75 per m2 for the tarmac and additional costs for hiring the equipment. However, if you hire professionals, they will not only come in with all the materials and equipment required for the job but will also do the tarmac laying correctly and in a timely manner.
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