Resin Over Tarmac
Keep the base that still works, replace the surface that no longer does, without a full dig-out.
What Goes Wrong
The difference between a finish that holds and one that cracks within a year comes down to what happens before the resin is mixed.
Laying resin over unassessed tarmac means hidden soft spots and movement telegraph straight through the new surface.
A crack depth and sub-base stability check confirms whether the tarmac can carry an overlay before any resin is ordered.
Cracks left beneath the bonding layer continue to move, causing the resin bound finish to reflect-crack within months.
Cracks and soft spots are filled and remediated before the bonding layer goes down, so the overlay has a stable surface to grip.
Resin bound aggregate is permeable, but if the tarmac beneath drains poorly, water still pools at the edges and under the surface.
Drainage falls are measured at survey stage and edge restraints are set to direct water away before the resin mix is trowelled.
Proceeding with an overlay when the tarmac base has structural failure wastes money, the new surface will not hold regardless of finish quality.
If the inspection finds movement or base failure, the specialist confirms a dig-out is needed and quotes each stage as a separate line item.
Scope of Work
From the initial base assessment through to the finished decorative surface, every stage of the conversion is included.
Crack pattern, depth, sub-base stability, and drainage falls are checked to confirm whether an overlay will hold.
Cracks are filled and weak areas remediated so the tarmac presents a stable, consistent surface for bonding.
A primer coat is applied across the cleaned tarmac to create the adhesion needed for the resin bound aggregate to key in.
UV-stable polyurethane resin is mixed with natural stone chippings and trowelled to a consistent depth across the surface.
Edge restraints are set and borders finished to define the new surface cleanly against kerbs, paths, and planted areas.
The finished surface is confirmed permeable and drainage falls are verified to meet Essex front driveway planning requirements.
Stone mix and colour agreed at survey stage.
Each stage priced separately, not bundled.
Full removal quoted if the base fails inspection.
Why Choose Us
A conversion that holds long-term depends on the assessment stage, here is how we make that accountable.
A survey is arranged before work is quoted, so the condition of your tarmac is known before any price is agreed.
Excavation, sub-base, edge restraints, and resin bound finish are each priced separately, no single bundled figure.
We schedule tarmac conversion site visits in the Chigwell area regularly.
If the base fails inspection, the specialist says so clearly and quotes removal as a separate line rather than proceeding regardless.
Drainage falls are checked at survey and the finished surface is confirmed permeable before the job is signed off.
How It Works
01
Tell us the approximate size, the current tarmac condition, and whether water drains away or sits on the surface after rain.
02
The site visit assesses crack depth, sub-base stability, and drainage falls, then returns a quote with each stage priced separately.
03
Cracks are repaired, the bonding layer applied, and the resin bound aggregate trowelled and finished to the agreed stone mix and colour.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small conversion | £2,000-£3,500 |
| Average conversion | £4,000-£6,500 |
| Large conversion | £6,500-£9,500 |
| Conversion with full preparation | £8,000-£12,000 |
Describe the size, the existing surface, and how it drains. We’ll schedule a site visit to survey the base and quote every stage separately.