Tarmac Driveway Repair Cost

Tarmac driveway repair involves fixing damaged or worn areas to improve the surface, make it safer and help it last longer. Common issues include cracks, potholes, crumbling edges, fading and sinking caused by poor drainage, heavy use or sub-base problems.

Small cracks may look minor, but they can let water into the surface and lead to bigger repairs if ignored. Potholes and uneven sections can also become trip hazards or cause damage to vehicles.

Repair costs will depend on the size of the driveway, the extent of the damage, access to the area and whether you need a quick patch repair, resurfacing or a full section replacement.

This guide covers the average tarmac driveway repair costs, common repair options, labour prices and when it may be worth hiring a local driveway specialist.

How Much is Tarmac Driveway Repair?

The cost of driveway tarmac repair in the UK will vary depending on the type of issue and the extent of the damage. There is no single price point, as every single driveway is different.

However, you can usually expect to pay anywhere from £100 for minor repairs all the way up to £3000 for larger resurfacing or replacement work.

For more minor repairs, such as filling in a crack or fixing a single pothole, the costs can be relatively low. These jobs are pretty quick to complete and will not require a lot of materials. However, they are often just temporary fixes if the underlying problem is not addressed.

Moderate repair work can include things like patch repairs or fixing multiple potholes. These repairs usually fall in the mid-range and may involve cutting out damaged areas, applying new tarmac and blending it with the existing surface.

For more major repairs, such as resurfacing or fixing sinking areas, costs will increase significantly. These jobs involve removing sections of the driveway, repairing the base, and laying down new materials. In some cases, a partial replacement can be much more cost-effective than repeated repairs.

Below is a list of things that could increase the cost even further:

• A lot of cracking or deterioration
• Drainage problems that require additional work
• Edge damage or crumbling borders
• A failing sub-base beneath the surface

Labour rates will also vary depending on your location. Those based in and around London can expect to pay more for the labour costs compared to those based in the North or other parts of the UK. Older driveways may also present hidden issues that only become apparent once the work begins. This can also increase the overall budget.

Tarmac Driveway Repair Prices

Below is a general pricing guide for common tarmac driveway repair jobs in the UK:

The driveway repair tarmac prices above are estimates and can vary depending on your location, the experience of the contractor, and the site conditions.

Supply Costs for Tarmac Driveway Repair

The supply costs form a significant portion of the overall price of the job, particularly when it comes to larger repair jobs. The materials that are required will depend on the type of repair that is being carried out.

Common materials for this work include:

• Cold lay tarmac: £10-£20 per bag
• Hot mix tarmac: £45-£70 per tonne
• Crack fillers and sealants: £5-£20 per litre
• Binding agents: £10-£30 per container
• Aggregate or sub-base materials: £40-£80 per tonne
• Edging materials: £20-£60 per metre

For smaller repairs, the material costs can be pretty low. However, if the repair involves deeper work, such as rebuilding the sub-base, the cost of materials can increase significantly.

Higher-quality materials may also cost more, but they can provide much better durability and longer-lasting results. For example, using premium sealants or reinforced tarmac mixes can reduce the likelihood of future repairs.

Additional Costs of Tarmac Driveway Repair

When you are budgeting for repairing a tarmac driveway, it is important to consider any additional costs that may be involved that are not included in the initial quote.

These additional costs can include the following:

• Waste removal: £100-£300
• Skip hire: £150-£400
• Site clearance: £100-£500
• Excavation and levelling: £300-£1000
• Drainage installation: £500-£2000
• Edging replacement: £200-£800

In some cases, some repairs reveal hidden problems beneath the surface, such as a failed sub-base or poor drainage, which can lead to extra labour and material costs. Addressing these issues is essential for a long-lasting fix, but it will increase the total cost.

If the driveway needs to be partially removed before repair work can begin, this will also add to the labour and disposal costs.

Labour Costs and Timescales for Tarmac Driveway Repair

Labour is a significant part of the total cost, especially where repairs involve cutting out damaged sections, re-levelling the base, or laying fresh tarmac. There are various types of contractors who may carry out the work, such as driveway specialists, groundworkers, or general builders with surfacing experience.

Below is a list of the typical labour costs that you can expect for repairing a driveway:

• £150 - £250 per day (per worker)

Below is a list of the timescales that you can expect with different types of work:

• Minor repairs: 1 day or less
• Patch repairs: 1 day
• Sinking section repairs: 1-2 days
• Resurfacing: 1-3 days
• Partial replacement: 2-4 days

Minor fixes may be completed within a day, while larger repair jobs or resurfacing work can take longer. The timescale depends on the extent of the damage, weather conditions, curing time, and whether the base needs to be repaired before the new surface can be laid.

Labour rates will also vary depending on your location. Those based in and around London can expect to pay more for the labour costs compared to those based in the North or other parts of the UK. Older driveways may also present hidden issues that only become apparent once the work begins. This can also increase the overall budget.

Cost Factors for Tarmac Driveway Repair

There are several factors that can influence the cost of a driveway tarmac repair. Take a look at the list below for things that could affect the overall cost:

• Size of the damaged area: Larger areas will cost more to fix than smaller areas
• The type of damage: Cracks are cheaper to fix than structural issues
• Age of the driveway: Older driveways may require more extensive repair works
• Depth of damage: Surface issues are cheaper than sub-base problems
• Access to the site: Difficult access may require additional labour or machinery
• Location of the drive: Labour costs vary across the UK
• Matching existing finish: Blending repairs can increase the costs

Cheap repairs may seem appealing; however, cheaper repairs will not last. Investing in a proper fix the first time can help you save money in the long term.

Building Regulations for Tarmac Driveway Repair

In many cases, minor repairs will not require planning permission or building regulations approval, but if the work affects drainage or involves significant replacement, surface water run-off rules may need to be considered.

If a large area is being replaced rather than simply repaired, permeable drainage requirements could become relevant. If the repair involves significant replacement or affects drainage, you may need to comply with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) regulations. This ensures that surface water does not run off into public drains.

Some other considerations include:

• Skip placement permits if using public roads
• Ensuring work does not obstruct pavements
• Maintaining proper drainage to prevent flooding

It is always best to check with your local authority if you are unsure about the rules in your area or for your particular driveway repair job.

Types of Tarmac Driveway Repair

Scuffs

As your driveway gets older, the black of the material will fade. One of the main causes of tarmac scuffing is when your vehicle’s wheels turn while still on the driveway. One of the best ways to avoid tarmac scuffs is by avoiding turning the wheels while your vehicle isn’t moving.

Spillages

Small spillages of oil or gasoline won’t necessarily cause any adverse effects on your tarmac driveway. However, if large amounts of these substances are spilt on the driveway, this can cause cracks on the surface and can also weaken the base of the driveway. In these cases, you will have to hire a professional to come out and repair it.

If you notice any oil spillages, it’s best to use sawdust or sand right away to soak up the substance from the surface. If you notice a gasoline spillage, the best option is to use water to wash the substance away as soon as possible.

Spot Damages and Dents

Newly laid tarmac driveways can be prone to dents if heavy items are driven over them or dropped on them before they have a chance to set. Even after it has set, the constant use of heavy items such as caravans, cars, trailers, ladders, car jacks, and other weighty things can cause some depression on the driveway.

You can avoid this type of damage by placing down a piece of plywood before using your heavy items on the driveway to ensure the weight is more evenly distributed.

Crack Filling

Cracks can often form due to changes in the weather, especially freezing and thawing. If these are left untreated, they will allow water to enter, and this can cause further damage.

To repair cracks, you will need to clean the area and fill it with a specialist sealant or bitumen filler. This helps prevent water penetration and slows any further deterioration. It is a relatively cheap and easy fix, but this may only be a short-term solution if the driveway has a lot of cracking.

Potholes

Potholes usually develop when water weakens the surface, and it eventually breaks apart. They can quickly become worse if they’re not repaired.

The process will involve cutting out the damaged area, cleaning it, applying a bonding agent, and filling it with fresh tarmac. The material is then compacted and levelled. Professional repairs usually last longer than DIY fixes, especially if you’re dealing with a quite deep pothole.

Patch Repairs

Patch repairs can be helpful when it comes to larger, localised damage where simple filling isn’t enough. The damaged section will need to be cut out completely, and the base will need to be checked and repaired if needed. New tarmac will then be laid and compacted to match the surrounding surface.

This will provide a more durable result than just a basic repair, although colour matching can sometimes be quite noticeable.

Edge Repairs

Driveway edges can weaken over time due to a lack of support or repeated vehicle use. In these cases, you may need to repair the edges.

Repairing edges involves removing damaged sections and then reinforcing them with new materials, such as kerbs or concrete edging, before applying fresh tarmac. This will help to prevent any further breakdown and improve the overall appearance of the driveway.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing is suitable when the surface is worn, but the base is still in good condition. The existing driveway will need to be cleaned and repaired where necessary. Then, a new layer of tarmac is applied over the top. This will create a nice, smooth finish and extend the lifespan of the drive without the cost of a full replacement.

Sealing

Sealing is a great preventative step. It’s not classed as a full repair. After cleaning the driveway and fixing any minor damage, you can add a protective coating to help shield the surface from oil, water and UV damage. This is a budget-friendly way to help maintain the driveway and reduce the need for repairs later down the line.

Sinking Section Repair

Sinking areas are usually caused by problems with the sub-base underneath the surface. The affected section will need to be removed. Then the base will be re-levelled and compacted before new tarmac is laid. This is more expensive than surface repairs but will provide a long-term, steady solution.

Drainage Issues

Poor drainage can lead to repeated damage, including cracks and potholes. In order to repair the drainage issues, you may need to get some drainage channels installed or adjust the slope of the driveway to improve the water flow. This will increase the overall price, but it will help prevent any ongoing issues and will protect the driveway in the long run.

Base Repair

Base repairs may be needed when the foundation beneath the tarmac has failed. In this case, a repair would include removing the surface, rebuilding the sub-base with compacted materials, and then installing the new tarmac. Although this is a higher cost of repair, it will ensure the driveway is stable and will reduce the need to remove or replace sections again in the future.

Each of the methods above varies in costs and durability. For example, filling a crack is quite inexpensive, but it may only be temporary, whereas resurfacing is more expensive but provides a much longer-lasting solution.

Alternative Types of Driveway Repair

Below is a list of common types of driveway repairs that are not tarmac driveway repairs:

Concrete Driveway Repair

Concrete is a very durable material, but it can be more expensive to fix than tarmac. Cracks can be filled in, but bigger repairs will usually require cutting and replacing sections, and this can cost a lot. Repairs are also more visible on concrete due to the colour difference. Concrete, however, usually needs less frequent maintenance.

Block Paving Repair

Block paving is one of the easier surfaces to repair, as the individual blocks can be lifted away and replaced. This means that small repairs are quite cheap, but larger areas that need re-levelling can be a bit more expensive. Regular maintenance like re-sanding and weeding is needed for this type of driveway.

Resin Driveway Repair

Resin driveways are harder to repair. Small patches can be done, but colour matching can be very difficult, and larger areas may need to be removed and reinstalled. This means resin repairs are often more expensive than tarmac driveway repairs. However, resin driveways require very little maintenance overall.

Gravel Driveway Repair

Gravel is the most budget-friendly option. These repairs usually involve just topping up or redistributing the gravel, so this is a nice, cheap and simple solution. However, gravel driveways require regular upkeep to keep them level and tidy.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Tarmac Driveway Repair

When you are hiring a contractor to repair your driveway for you, you should make sure you do the following:

• Check the contractor’s experience with driveway repair and surfacing work
• Ask for examples of previous jobs
• Confirm insurance cover
• Make sure the quote explains exactly what repair method is being used
• Compare quotes carefully
• Check whether waste removal and preparation are included
• Confirm how long the repair should last
• Ask whether the work will blend in with the existing driveway.

You should avoid choosing a contractor based only on a low price, as a poor-quality fix may fail quickly and cost more in the long run.

Removing Tarmac Before Repair

In some cases, damaged tarmac will need to be removed before the repairs can begin. This is common when the surface is severely cracked, potholes are deep, or the sub-base has failed.

Removing and replacing a section involves the following:

• Cutting out the damaged areas
• Removing waste materials
• Repairing the base
• Laying new tarmac

The cost for this type of work will usually be around £500 - £2500+, depending on the size of the area and the complexity of the job. Matching the new tarmac to the existing driveway can also be quite challenging, so this could increase the overall costs of the work.

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