1. Do they visit before pricing?
A driveway cannot be priced properly without seeing the ground, the access, the existing surface and where the water goes. A firm price given over the phone from a rough size usually means extras later.
2. Is the quote written and itemised?
Ask for the quote in writing, stating the area, the surface, the depth of dig and sub-base, the edging, and how drainage will be handled. A single figure with no detail gives you nothing to compare and nothing to hold anyone to.
3. What will the base be?
Most driveway failures start underneath. Ask how deep they will excavate, what material goes into the sub-base and how it is compacted. A company that is vague on this is telling you something.
4. Where will the water go?
Your driveway has to drain, and rules on front gardens mean water generally should not simply run onto the road. A good installer will explain the falls and whether a permeable surface, soakaway or channel drain is needed.
5. How much do they want up front?
Large deposits are one of the biggest risks in home improvement: if the company disappears, so does the money. We do not ask for one — our work is No Deposit Needed, and you pay when the job is done. Whoever you choose, be wary of anyone who wants a large sum before a single shovel goes in.
6. What does the guarantee actually cover?
A guarantee is only worth having if it is written down and the company will still be around to honour it. Ask what it covers and for how long. Ours is a 10-Year Guarantee, and we are happy to explain it before you commit.
7. Do they have a real address and landline?
A fixed address and a landline are small signs of a business that intends to stay. Ours is Collingwood Buildings, 38 Collingwood Street, Newcastle NE1 1JF, and our phone is 0191 743 3072.
8. Can you see their work?
Photos of genuine finished jobs tell you more than stock images. Look at the edges, the lines of the blocks and the junctions with walls and doors — that is where care or its absence shows.
9. Do they push you towards one surface?
Resin, tarmac and block paving all suit different homes, budgets and gradients. A company that only sells one answer regardless of your property may be selling what suits them.
10. Beware the doorstep offer
Cold callers offering a cheap driveway with leftover material from a nearby job are a well-known problem. Take time, get more than one written quote, and never feel pressured to decide on the day.
Reading the quotes side by side
Once you have written quotes, line them up against each other on the same points: area, surface, depth of dig, sub-base, edging, drainage and waste removal. If one quote is much lower, look for which of those it leaves out. The price difference between a driveway that lasts and one that sinks is usually in the parts you cannot see when it is finished.
Finally, notice how each company treats your questions. Someone who explains clearly before the job is usually the same person who answers the phone after it.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get?+
Two or three written quotes are usually enough to see what a fair job looks like.
Do you ask for a deposit?+
No. No Deposit Needed — payment is on completion.
What guarantee do you give?+
Our installations come with a 10-Year Guarantee.
When can I reach you?+
Mon–Fri 8am – 6pm on 0191 743 3072, or use the quote form at any time.
Ask us the same questions
We will visit, give you a written quote and answer every one of these checks. Call 0191 743 3072.