Tarmac Driveways in Devon, Dorset & Somerset
Looking for professional tarmac driveways in Devon, Dorset or Somerset? Dares Surfacing provides high-quality tarmac driveway installation, tarmac surfacing and resurfacing for domestic and commercial properties across the South West.
With more than 30 years of surfacing experience, our team can prepare and install durable tarmac surfaces for driveways, private roads, car parks, forecourts, playgrounds and other heavily used areas.
Whether you need a completely new tarmac driveway or want to resurface an existing area, we can assess your site, discuss your requirements and recommend a suitable solution.
Contact Dares Surfacing today for a free, no-obligation tarmacing quote.
Professional Tarmac Driveway Installation
A professionally installed tarmac driveway provides a smooth, practical and hard-wearing surface capable of handling regular vehicle traffic.
Good results depend on much more than the final tarmac layer. Ground preparation, drainage, levels, edging, sub-base construction and compaction all play an important role in the performance and lifespan of the finished driveway.
Our experienced tarmac contractors undertake projects from initial groundwork through to the final surface, providing a complete installation tailored to your property.
We provide tarmac surfacing for:
- Residential driveways
- Commercial premises
- Car parks
- Private roads and access roads
- Forecourts
- Paths and walkways
- School playgrounds
- Dropped vehicle crossings
- Other domestic and commercial surfaces
Why Choose Tarmacing for Your Driveway?
Tarmac remains a popular driveway material because it combines durability, practicality and excellent value. Here are key benefits:
✅ Durable and Hard-Wearing
Tarmac is designed to cope with regular vehicle traffic and changing weather conditions. When the groundwork and surface are correctly specified and installed, it can provide many years of reliable service.
✅ Cost-Effective
For many properties, a tarmac driveway can offer excellent value compared with more decorative alternatives. The actual cost depends on the driveway size, groundwork, access, drainage, edging and specification required.
✅ Low Maintenance
A well-installed tarmac driveway requires relatively little routine maintenance. Keeping it clean and dealing with small areas of damage before they worsen can help maintain its appearance and condition.
✅ Fast and Efficient Installation
Depending on the size and condition of the site, tarmac can often be installed relatively quickly compared with surfaces constructed from individual paving units.
✅ Smooth, Practical Finish
Tarmac creates a clean and uniform surface that works particularly well for driveways, parking areas and access roads.
Tarmac Resurfacing for Existing Driveways
Does your existing driveway look tired, worn or damaged?
A complete replacement isn’t always necessary.
Tarmac resurfacing involves applying a new surface to a suitably prepared existing area. Where the underlying base remains structurally sound, resurfacing can provide an effective way to restore the appearance and performance of a driveway.
Before recommending resurfacing, our team can assess the existing surface and identify whether problems such as movement, poor drainage or significant base failure need to be addressed.
Where a full replacement is required, we can remove unsuitable materials, prepare the ground and construct a new surface from the base upwards.
How Is a Tarmac Driveway Installed?
Every project is different, but professional tarmac driveway installation will typically involve several important stages.
1. Site Assessment
We assess the existing ground, access, levels, drainage requirements and intended use of the surface.
2. Excavation and Ground Preparation
Where required, the existing surface and unsuitable material are excavated to create the correct formation for the new driveway.
3. Sub-Base Installation
A suitable sub-base is installed and thoroughly compacted. Good groundwork is essential because weaknesses beneath the tarmac can eventually affect the finished surface.
4. Edging and Drainage
Edging, falls and drainage requirements are incorporated into the design as appropriate for the site.
5. Tarmac Installation and Compaction
The specified tarmac layers are laid and mechanically compacted to create a strong, even surface.
Our team can explain the proposed construction and specification before work begins.
How Much Does a Tarmac Driveway Cost?
The cost of a tarmac driveway varies from project to project, so an on-site quotation provides a much more reliable figure than a generic price per square metre.
Factors that can affect tarmac driveway prices include:
- Total surface area
- Condition of the existing driveway
- Excavation and groundwork required
- Sub-base requirements
- Site access
- Drainage
- Edging and kerbs
- Surface specification
- Whether the driveway requires full installation or resurfacing
Dares Surfacing provides competitive, no-obligation quotations based on the individual requirements of your property.
Contact us to arrange a free tarmac driveway quote.
Tarmac Driveways vs Block Paving, Concrete and Resin
Not sure whether tarmac is the best driveway surface for your property?
Different materials offer different advantages.
Tarmac is an excellent choice when durability, practicality and value are priorities.
Block paving offers greater choice of colours, patterns and decorative designs.
Concrete surfacing provides a strong and robust surface suitable for many domestic and commercial applications.
Resin-bound surfacing provides a smooth, decorative finish with a wide range of aggregate colours and styles.
Dares Surfacing installs all four surface types, so our team can discuss the options objectively and help you choose a driveway surface suited to your property and budget.
Domestic Tarmac Driveways
A new driveway can make a significant difference to the appearance and practicality of your property.
We install domestic tarmac driveways for homeowners throughout Devon, Dorset and Somerset, whether you’re replacing an ageing driveway, creating additional parking or surfacing a new development.
Tarmac can also be combined with attractive edging or block paving details to create a more distinctive finish.
Speak to our team about the design options available for your property.
Commercial Tarmac Surfacing
Our services aren’t limited to residential driveways.
Dares Surfacing also provides commercial tarmac surfacing for businesses, property managers, schools, developers and other organisations.
Tarmac is particularly suitable for areas that need to withstand frequent traffic, including:
- Commercial car parks
- Private roads
- Access roads
- Forecourts
- School playgrounds
- Parking areas
- Paths and pedestrian areas
We understand the importance of completing commercial surfacing projects efficiently while maintaining high standards of workmanship.
Why Choose Dares Surfacing?
With more than 30 years of industry experience, we understand that a quality tarmac surface starts with proper preparation and professional installation.
Customers choose Dares Surfacing for:
- Over 30 years of surfacing experience
- Domestic and commercial tarmacing
- New driveway installation and resurfacing
- Professional groundwork and preparation
- Quality materials and equipment
- Local coverage across Devon, Dorset and Somerset
- Competitive quotations
- Experienced surfacing specialists
- Free, no-obligation quotes
From the initial site assessment to completion, we aim to provide a professional service and a high-quality finished surface.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tarmac Driveways
The lifespan of a tarmac driveway depends on factors such as installation quality, groundwork, drainage, traffic levels, weather exposure and maintenance. A professionally installed and properly maintained driveway can provide many years of service.
There is no single price for tarmacing a driveway. Size, existing ground conditions, excavation, sub-base construction, drainage, edging and the chosen specification can all affect the final cost. Contact Dares Surfacing for a quotation based on your property.
Potentially, yes. If the underlying construction remains suitable, resurfacing may be possible without completely rebuilding the driveway. We recommend assessing the existing surface first to determine the appropriate solution.
Tarmac can often be a more economical option than block paving, particularly across larger areas. However, costs depend heavily on preparation, specification, site conditions and design requirements.
Yes. Tarmac is commonly used for car parks, access roads, forecourts and other areas exposed to regular vehicle traffic. The construction specification should be appropriate for the expected loading and use.
Tarmac is relatively low maintenance. Regularly removing debris and addressing cracks, damaged edges or other defects early can help prevent minor issues from developing into more substantial repairs.
Yes. Depending on the type and extent of the damage, localised repairs or resurfacing may be possible. The underlying cause should also be investigated to reduce the risk of the problem returning
The appropriate waiting time depends on the materials, weather conditions and installation specification. Our team will give you clear aftercare instructions when your driveway is completed.
Planning and drainage requirements can depend on the property, surface area and how surface water will be managed. Requirements should therefore be checked for the individual project rather than assuming every tarmac driveway is treated in the same way.
The terms “tarmac” and “asphalt” are commonly used interchangeably when discussing modern driveways, although technically they refer to different materials and construction methods. Modern road and driveway surfacing commonly uses bitumen-bound asphalt mixtures.
Tarmac can be suitable for many sloping driveways. However, the gradient, drainage, surface-water management and site conditions need to be assessed before determining the appropriate specification.
Dares Surfacing installs and resurfaces tarmac driveways throughout Devon, Dorset and Somerset. Contact our team with your location and project details to discuss availability.
