How to Choose a Driveway Installer (Without Getting Burned)
Driveways are a trade with brilliant local firms and, frankly, some cowboys. The difference rarely shows on day one - it shows two winters later. Here's how to tell them apart before you sign anything, whoever you end up choosing.
What a proper quote looks like
A written quote should itemise the things that actually determine quality:
- • Excavation depth and muck-away
- • Sub-base material and compaction method
- • Edge restraints and how they're set
- • Drainage - falls, channels, soakaways or permeable build-up
- • The surface specification (resin depth and UV grade, block type, tarmac courses)
- • Manhole covers, steps and detail work
- • Timescale and payment terms
Red flags
- • A price given on the spot with pressure to 'sign today'
- • Large cash deposits demanded up front
- • No written quote, no company details, no fixed address
- • 'We're doing a job round the corner and have materials left over'
- • A quote that never mentions the sub-base or drainage
- • No verifiable reviews, photos or social media trail of past work
Good questions to ask
- • Can I see recent local jobs or photos of work in progress?
- • Are you insured, and can you show documentation?
- • What guarantee do you offer, and is it in writing?
- • Who actually does the work - your team or subcontractors?
- • What happens if you find a problem once you've dug out?
Where we stand
Quantock Paving Ltd is a registered limited company (no. 16165417), local and family-run and fully insured for residential and commercial work. Up to 10 years' workmanship guarantee is available on qualifying full installations. Exact cover depends on the installation specification and is confirmed in writing with your quotation. Our recent work is on our Facebook and Instagram pages - we'd rather show you than tell you.
