Driveway overlay options

Budget-friendly ways to improve existing driveways across Kent, East Sussex & Surrey, including tar & chip overlays, resin overlays and tarmac overlays.

Call: 07438455775 | Freephone: 0800 861 1027

What is a driveway overlay?

A driveway overlay is where a new surface is laid over an existing tarmac or concrete base instead of digging everything out and starting again. When the base is still sound, this can be a very cost-effective way to improve the look and performance of a driveway.

Not every drive is suitable for an overlay, but where it is realistic, it can keep costs down while still giving a tidy, easy-to-live-with finish. If an overlay is not suitable, we will usually suggest a different option such as a new tarmac driveway, full tar & chip surface or a new resin driveway on a proper base.

Tar & chip overlays

Tar & chip overlays are often the most budget-friendly way to smarten up long drives, farm tracks and shared access roads. A hot binder is applied to the existing surface and then covered with stone chippings that are rolled in.

This gives a natural stone look that is tidier than loose gravel while keeping costs down compared to full-depth tarmac or block paving. You can read more about this on our budget driveway overlays page.

Guide price

Tar & chip overlay: starting from £20 per m²

Based on larger areas with a reasonable existing base. Ideal for rural or longer driveways where a full tarmac resurfacing would be expensive.

Best suited for

Existing tarmac or concrete that is still generally sound.
Long rural drives, farm tracks and private roads.
Customers wanting a natural stone look without loose gravel everywhere.

Resin overlays

Resin overlays are used where you want a smooth, modern finish and the existing tarmac or concrete base is solid enough to build on. The resin bound surface is laid over the prepared driveway in a single, seamless layer.

On suitable bases, a resin overlay can be a more budget-conscious way to get a resin finish compared to building a full permeable system from scratch. For more detail, see our resin overlay driveways page.

Guide price

Resin overlay: starting from £40 per m²

Guide prices are based on larger areas with a sound existing surface and are worked out on generous square metre measurements.

Best suited for

Existing tarmac or concrete drives that are still firm.
Driveways where you want a cleaner, smarter finish without joints.
Homes where appearance is just as important as day-to-day use.

Tarmac overlays and other options

In some cases a thin tarmac overlay can be used to refresh an existing tarmac drive where the levels, drainage and base are all still sensible. On other jobs it may be better value to rebuild sections properly rather than keep patching over problems.

Tarmac overlays: can be suitable on sound tarmac bases, but not on soft or broken areas.
Gravel on existing bases: sometimes used over old concrete where a simple, tidy finish is all that is needed.
Full rebuilds: recommended where there are major dips, movement or drainage issues.

We are always honest about whether an overlay is sensible. If the base is not good enough, it is better to explain that than to put a new surface over something that is going to fail anyway.

Is an overlay right for your driveway?

The only way to know for sure is to look at the existing surface. Good, clear photos are a useful starting point. We look for:

Cracks, dips or potholes that suggest movement.
Soft spots or areas that hold water.
Levels and where rainwater is currently running.
Edges that may need re-building or strengthening.

If an overlay is realistic, we can explain the options and give a guide price. If the base is not suitable, we will say so and outline what would be involved in putting it right.

Related driveway pages

Thinking about a driveway overlay?

If you have an existing tarmac or concrete driveway in Kent, East Sussex or Surrey, send your postcode, a rough idea of size and a few photos. We can let you know whether an overlay is realistic and which surface is likely to suit your budget best.

All driveway quotes are completely free and carried out in person, so we can give you an accurate and honest price for your property.

Call 07438455775 or freephone 0800 861 1027

Ask about overlay options