Driveway tarmac?

[conscientioussuicidee]

I'm looking at getting my small front garden dug up and tarmac to extend the existing off-road parking area (fits one small car only).
The whole area is probably only 5x 7 m

Man looked at it today and said about 4/5K. Said about digging it out. Adding border etc. Sounded about write in terms of the job but Im unsure about cost.

Anyone done anything comparable to help please on cost?

Sounds rather expensive to me

Most important question: Was this an established local firm that you contacted after getting a personal recommendation; or was it an itinerant cold-calling door-knocker?

It was both. Established local firm, cold calling as they are doing others nearby.

I had about 2k in my mind so this did feel pricey

I'm never keen on cold callers.

Have a walk round, looking for other local houses with fairly new tarmac, see if they will tell you who did it and what it cost. Householders are usually pleased to brag (or moan) about their builders.

Whatever surface you get, makes sure that it's porous to allow ground water through, otherwise you'll need planning permission (this link has more details): www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/45/paving_your_front_garden

Five grand sounds expensive by the way!

Mondy is correct. A new law was brought out a few years ago. If you are widening your drive, it has to be porous.
The cowboy ripping you off at 4-5k should know better.
It will be you who will get fined and made to rectify it.

'Doing others nearby', I doubt it, ask for addresses. If they are genuine they'll gladly tell you. Be very cautious 4/5k is a lot of money for Tarmac.

Please be careful. "Just" tarmacing is actually quite complicated, you may need planning permission, and it can cause all sorts of problems for you and your neighbours if done incorrectly. Worth getting proper quotes from established firms and contacting your local planning department.

I had seen his signs locally so know he's done other jobs. And they looked decent which is why I spoke to him when he came around.

He came back today I said no due to planning and told me the need for planning permission was rubbish or he could use porous Tarmac !!! Wtf.

He was totally trying to rip me off. !

Thanks to comments here I've become better informed.

You can actually get porous tarmac, but the fact that he describes the need for planning permission as "rubbish" tells you all you need to know about him. Avoid!

We had a new drive last year and it cost about that but for an area over twice as big!

I'd recommend getting three quotes and also looking at examples of what you want- showrooms and other people's driveways. We went with resin composite in the end and are delighted with it.