TarmacDrivewayinBournemouth&Poole
Laid on a dug-out, compacted sub-base with the falls set to shed water, not a thin skim over what's already there.
- Sub-base dug out and compacted properly, not laid over the old surface
- Falls set so water runs off the drive, not into it
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- 2 yearsWarranty on work
- Owner-ledOne team throughout
- In-houseBy our own team
- CSCS · SSSTS · NVQ 2Qualified team
What a Tarmac Driveway Actually Is
A tarmac driveway means hot-rolled asphalt laid over a dug-out, compacted sub-base, then rolled and finished with a clean edge restraint. It suits a driveway that gets daily traffic and needs to be usable again within days, not weeks. Poured well, it does not rut or pond, because the falls are set before the surface goes down, not adjusted after.
How Fitting a Tarmac Driveway Works
The same process on every job, from first visit to walk-round.
01Consultation & Quote
We visit, measure up and give you a fixed-price quote based on what the site actually needs.
02Dig-Out & Sub-Base
We remove the old surface, dig to depth and compact a proper sub-base before anything is laid.
03Lay & Finish
The tarmac is laid, rolled and edged, then we walk round with you and leave the site tidy.
1 week
Typical standard driveway, start to finish
15+
Years in groundworks and landscaping
35 miles
Covered from our Bournemouth base
Fixed price
Itemised and agreed before work starts
Tarmac vs Block Paving vs Gravel
Three driveway surfaces we lay, compared honestly so you can weigh them up before the quote.
| Tarmac | Block Paving | Gravel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower per square metre | Higher, more design choice | Lowest to lay |
| How it wears | Can rut under heavy weight, patch-repairable | Individual blocks can lift or sink and be reset | Needs regular raking and topping up |
| Look | Smooth, uniform, plain black or red | Widest range of colours and patterns | Loose, informal look |
| Best suited to | A hard-wearing, low-fuss everyday drive | A driveway where the look matters as much as the surface | A low-traffic or period-property drive |
Swipe to see every column
What Is Included as Standard
The groundwork you do not see, as standard on every tarmac driveway.
Full Dig-Out
Old surface removed and taken away, not built over.
Compacted Sub-Base
Sub-base dug to depth and compacted in layers before anything is laid.
Falls Set for Drainage
Falls set so water runs off the surface rather than sitting on it.
Hot-Rolled Tarmac Surface
Laid and rolled to a clean, even finish with a proper edge restraint.
Pricing
Tarmac Driveway Pricing
How we price it
Every tarmac driveway is priced after we've seen the site, because ground condition, access and the size of the dig-out all move the cost. We give a fixed, itemised quote before any work starts, and it does not move once it is agreed.
- What moves it: area, dig-out depth, access and where the spoil goes
- Written and itemised before the surface is broken out
- No extras added once the dig-out has started
How the Job Runs
What to expect from first visit to walk-round.
Consultation & Quote
We visit, measure up and give you a fixed, itemised quote. No hidden extras once you've said yes.
Dig-Out & Sub-Base
The old surface comes out, muck away included, then the sub-base goes in and gets compacted in layers with the falls set.
Lay, Roll & Walk-Round
The tarmac is laid, rolled and edged. We finish with a walk-round, and most standard driveways are done inside a week.
Tarmac Driveways We've Laid
A selection of tarmac and asphalt driveways across Bournemouth and Poole.
What Our Customers Say
These reviews come from customers across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset, covering the full range of groundworks and driveway work we carry out, not just tarmac and asphalt.
Grace Sibley
Jacc and his team did a full patio renovation for us inclusive of sorting out some significant drainage problems. Jacc and his team have been professional through out and provided a high quality service even through some significantly challenging weather. I cannot fault them at all. Jacc and Jordan went above and beyond for us and despite it being 37 degrees carried on grafting to get us a usable patio before our sons 1st birthday. The work was efficient, they kept the place tidy with waste removal being organised within 48 hours of it being produced I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Four Ground for your upcoming landscape/ground works project.
Asa Parker
I'm very happy with the work Jacc and this team have done. They removed the old driveway and previous concrete pads, before levelling and laying a new larger reinforced concrete slab and block paving driveway. Jacc was very helpful throughout.
Chris Lynch
We used Jacc and his team to lay the foundations and over site for a single story extension. After getting plenty of quotes he was very competitive and his enthusiasm and communication was exceptional. Our plan is to have Jacc back to complete our patio area and ground drainage - he's trustworthy, reliable and has a fantastic attitude - something that we've realised is really hard to come by in the building trade. Thanks so much Jacc and team!
A.G Reeks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly & Honest Excellent service from start to finish. The drainage work was explained clearly, priced fairly, and completed efficiently. The lads were polite, hardworking, and respectful of the property. It's refreshing to deal with a company you can trust. Would definitely use again.
Rachel
We are so pleased with all the work we have had done - our back garden was a total mess, but the guys completely transformed it with a brilliant new concrete area and some lovely planters. They even sorted out and tidied our front drive with a temporary fix, which has given the whole house a massive face-lift. The whole team were so friendly and down-to-earth. Big shout-out to Jacc as well, who was always around for a chat whenever we had any questions. Honestly couldn't recommend them enough if you need a landscaping company for gardens or driveways.
jeff sullivan
After being let down at the last minute by another landscaper, Jacc was recommended to me. I messaged and received a prompt reply. Jacc visited to give a quote and start date. He arrived when expected to start on a new patio, whilst he was working, I asked for a quote for new concrete fence posts and panels, again I was happy with the quote and it could be done at the same time, result... Its now all completed, I'm impressed with the new patio and fence, jacc was professional and takes pride in his work, his easy to get on with and very approachable. Highly recommended, and thanks again Jacc 👍
Recent Tarmac Driveway Projects
A few of the driveways we have rebuilt across the area.
Common Questions Before You Book
The worries we hear most, answered plainly.
Will it dip or go uneven?
It's built on a dug-out, compacted sub-base to the right depth. That is the layer that actually stops a drive sinking, not the surface on top of it.
How messy will it be?
A dig-out is disruptive for a couple of days. We muck away as we go and leave the site swept down each evening.
Will the price move once you have started?
You get a fixed, itemised quote before work begins. If something unexpected turns up once we're digging, we tell you before we act on it.
What Your Driveway Is Telling You
What you can see, and what it usually means underneath.
Cracking across the surface
What it actually isUsually a sub-base that wasn't dug to depth or compacted properly, so the ground underneath moves
What it needsA full dig-out and rebuild on a proper sub-base, not a skim over the top
Standing water after rain
What it actually isFalls that were never set correctly, so water has nowhere to run to
What it needsFalls reset and drainage added where the water is actually going
Potholes or soft, sinking patches
What it actually isWater getting under the surface through a crack and washing out the sub-base beneath it
What it needsThe affected area dug out and rebuilt, not just patched over the top
Tarmac Driveways: What Affects the Job
What a tarmac driveway costs and how long it takes depends on the size of the area, how much has to come out first, and how easy the site is to get plant onto. A drive replacing an old, failed surface needs more dig-out than one going onto bare ground, and that changes both the price and the programme.
Planning permission can come into it too. A new hard-surfaced driveway over a certain size generally needs permission unless the surface is permeable or the water is directed to a lawn or border rather than the road, so it is worth raising at the quote stage rather than after the tarmac is down.
Asphalt paving for driveways only performs as well as what is underneath it. A tarmac driveway laid straight onto soft or badly compacted ground will move with it, whatever the surface looks like on day one. That is why the sub-base and the falls get the same attention as the tarmac itself, on every driveway we lay in Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding towns.
Tarmac Driveway FAQs
Real questions we get asked before a quote.
How long does a tarmac driveway take to lay?
Most standard driveways are finished inside a week, from dig-out to the final rolled surface. We'll confirm your timeline at the quote stage.
Will my new tarmac driveway hold water?
No, not when the falls are set correctly. Falls are set before the tarmac goes down, so water runs off the surface instead of pooling on it.
How much does a tarmac driveway cost?
It depends on the size, access and how much of the old surface has to come out first. Every job is priced after a visit, with a fixed, itemised quote before any work starts.
Do you lay asphalt driveways in Poole and Ferndown as well as Bournemouth?
Yes. We cover Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding towns out to around 35 miles, including Ferndown, Christchurch and Ringwood.
What happens if the driveway cracks or sinks later?
Everything we lay is covered by a 2-year workmanship warranty. If it settles or shifts, we come back and put it right.
Are you on Checkatrade and Google?
Yes. We are an approved Checkatrade member and hold Google Guaranteed status. Behind that are over 15 years in groundworks and landscaping and the trade cards to go with it: CSCS, Street Works, SSSTS and NVQ Level 2.
Looking for a Different Driveway Surface?
The same groundwork underneath, a different surface on top.
01Block Paving Driveways
A wider choice of colours and patterns, laid on the same properly compacted sub-base.
Learn more
02Concrete Driveways
A solid, low-maintenance surface, poured and finished to falls that shed water.
Learn more
03Gravel Driveways
A loose, informal surface that suits a period property, contained by a proper edge restraint.
Learn more
Tarmac Driveways Across Bournemouth & Poole
Where we fit tarmac and asphalt driveways.
Poole
Driveways across Poole and Sandbanks, from period frontages to new-build estates.
Poole coverageChristchurch
Tarmac and block paving driveways for the housing around Christchurch and Highcliffe.
Christchurch coverageFerndown
Driveway rebuilds and resurfacing for the semis and bungalows typical of Ferndown.
Ferndown coverageRingwood
Driveways for the market town and the villages around it, out towards the Hampshire border.
Ringwood coverageGet a free quote
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk? Call Four Groundworks & Landscaping on 07886 075828
Tarmac drives as they came off site
Tarmac is laid hot and rolled in one pass, so the only honest photographs are the ones taken on the day. These go up on our Instagram as each drive finishes.
See more on Instagram