Tarmac Driveways in Dublin: Cost, Resurfacing & What to Ask

Northside Driveways publishes a starting guide of €45 per m² and a typical driveway range of €3,500-€7,500. These figures were checked on 13 November 2026; they are a guide, not a quotation for your property. ^[1]

Before comparing prices, give each contractor the same brief. Are you replacing the whole drive, retaining some of it or changing the entrance? Do you want a new border? Is water collecting near the house? Put those requests in writing so the prices answer the same question.

Ask for a quote you can check

Do not turn the starting square-metre rate into a final budget by multiplying it by an approximate area. Ask for the measured area and a complete project price, then check which parts of the job that price covers.

If the first proposal is above your budget, ask for the essential work and optional design features to be shown separately. You can then choose a simpler border or a different layout without leaving the preparation vague.

Northside's terms make the accepted price fixed unless the scope changes. Before signing, agree how additional work would be described and approved. ^[3]

An overlay is worth discussing where the existing base is sound. Where that base has failed, excavation and rebuilding may be needed. Northside's published advice is to assess the driveway before recommending either route. ^[2]

Go into the visit with observations, not a diagnosis. Point out the crack that has returned after patching, the place a wheel sits in a dip and the puddle that remains after the rest has dried. If possible, take photographs when the problem is visible.

Questions for a resurfacing assessment

• Which parts of the existing construction are suitable to keep, and why?

• What needs repairing before the new surface is laid?

• How will the finished height meet the gate, garage, path and drain covers?

• If hidden damage is found, what happens to the scope and price?

Ask the contractor to show you the proposed finished levels at the entrance and house. If an overlay is recommended, have the preparation included in the written specification. If replacement is recommended, ask which defects make it necessary.

The aim is a proposal you can understand. A brief explanation on site, followed by a clear written scope, gives you something useful to compare with the next quote.

Asphalt construction has separate jobs to do. Roadstone explains that base and binder courses provide load-bearing capacity, while the surface course meets the traffic. ^[4] Ask your contractor to describe the proposed build-up in plain language and relate it to your driveway.

Make the parking brief specific

Say what will use the drive: family cars, a work van, a trailer or occasional deliveries. Mark out where vehicles will turn and where passengers will get out. Walk from the gate to the front door with a car in its usual position. Keep that route in the design discussion.

Ask where the rainwater will go

Walk through the drainage proposal before work starts. Ask where the surface will fall, which drains are being retained and where collected water will discharge. Include the garage entrance and the junction with the public footpath in that conversation.

Do not assume every asphalt driveway is a permeable system. Porous asphalt is a distinct option with a deliberately designed surface, supporting layers and drainage arrangement. ^[5] Ask which system is being quoted and how its drainage works.

Choose the edges as part of the layout

Ask to see the proposed border against the house and garden walls. Agree its width, colour and route around any planting. For a curved entrance, request a marked outline before the layout is finalised.

Northside's tarmac page gives an indicative installation time of around two days. ^[1] Its terms allow for changes caused by weather or unexpected ground conditions. ^[3] Confirm the schedule for your own driveway before arranging deliveries or time off.

Before the crew arrives

Agree where to park during the work and how you will reach the front door. Mention school-run times, mobility needs and any access that must stay available. Ask where materials and machinery will go, and who to contact if a question comes up.

If you are planning other work, such as a new gate or garden wall, tell the contractor now. Ask how those jobs should be coordinated with the driveway. Have the answer included in the schedule rather than leaving it for installation day.

Get a handover, not just a finish date

Before using the surface, ask the installer to confirm when walking, parking and turning are permitted for the material and conditions on your job. Get aftercare instructions in writing and keep them with the quote and guarantee.

Give a new surface some care

Pallot Tarmac's asphalt-care guidance highlights tyre scrubbing from stationary steering, concentrated loads such as jacks or stands, and oil contamination as causes of damage. New asphalt is especially vulnerable, particularly in warm conditions. ^[6] • Turn the steering while the vehicle is moving rather than twisting the tyres on one spot. ^[6] • Discuss protection before placing a skip, ladder, jack or caravan support on the drive. ^[6] • Deal with oil or fuel spills promptly and use cleaning methods suitable for the surface. ^[6]

Before the team leaves, walk the drive together. Check the agreed borders, covers and drainage details, then confirm the aftercare contact.

Can tarmac be laid over my existing driveway?

It may be suitable if the base is sound. A survey should establish what can be retained and what needs repair or removal. Ask for the reasoning behind the recommendation and the preparation to be itemised. ^[2]

When can I put the car back?

Get the installer's release time for your particular job. Ask about turning and concentrated loads as well as parking, and arrange somewhere else to leave the car until the surface is ready.

Will it stay jet black?

New asphalt loses some gloss and becomes lighter as it weathers. Pallot's care guide describes this as a normal change in appearance. ^[6] If an area looks damaged rather than simply lighter, send the installer photographs and ask for advice.

Is the driveway guaranteed?

Northside's terms describe a 10-year written driveway guarantee for workmanship and structural integrity, with exclusions including misuse, third-party damage and ground movement outside its control. Read the version covering your project before accepting the quote. ^[3]

What should I have ready for the site visit?

Your Eircode, a short list of problems, the vehicles you park and any changes you want to make. Bring photographs of standing water or recurring defects. You do not need to choose every finish before asking for advice.

Does Northside cover my area?

The website lists North Dublin, Dublin city centre and areas into Meath, including Ashbourne. It also names Swords, Malahide, Howth, Portmarnock, Skerries and Balbriggan. Share your Eircode to confirm the visit. ^[2]

Ready for a tarmac driveway quote?

Call 01 836 4611 or request a free site visit through the tarmac service page. Tell the team whether you are considering resurfacing, full replacement or a change to the layout. ^[1]