How to Choose a Driveway Contractor (Without Getting Ripped Off)
Red flags, must-ask questions, and the 5 checks every homeowner should make before hiring a driveway contractor in Brentwood.
5 non-negotiable checks
Before signing anything:
- Companies House registration. Verify the company exists and is active at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Every company in our directory is verified.
- Public liability insurance. Minimum £1 million. Ask for a copy of the certificate. If they can't produce one, walk away.
- Written quote with full specification. Materials, sub-base depth, drainage plan, start/finish dates, payment terms. Not a vague estimate on the back of a business card.
- Recent local examples. Ask for 2–3 addresses of completed work within 5 miles. Drive past and look. Better yet, knock on the door and ask the owner.
- No high-pressure sales. "This price is only valid today" is a classic red flag. Legitimate contractors are happy for you to take a week to decide.
Questions to ask before you commit
- "What sub-base depth will you use?" (Answer should be 150–250mm on Essex clay, more for heavy vehicles.)
- "Is the surface permeable? Will I need planning permission?" (See our planning permission guide.)
- "What happens if there's a problem after completion?" (Look for a minimum 12-month workmanship guarantee, ideally backed by an industry scheme.)
- "Who will actually do the work?" (Some companies subcontract — you want to know who's on your property.)
- "What's the payment schedule?" (10–20% deposit, balance on completion. Never more than 25% upfront.)
Red flags that should make you run
- Cash only, no receipt. No legitimate business insists on cash.
- "We're working on a job nearby and have leftover materials." Classic doorstep scam.
- No written contract. Verbal agreements are unenforceable for disputes.
- Demands full payment upfront. Standard practice is 10–20% deposit.
- No fixed business address. Just a mobile number and a van.
- Significantly cheaper than every other quote. If it's 40%+ below the rest, they're cutting corners on the sub-base — the part you can't see until it fails.
Why 3 quotes isn't just advice
Prices for the same driveway can vary by 30–50% between contractors. Three quotes give you a realistic price range and help you spot outliers. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value — and the most expensive isn't always the best quality.
Our directory lists verified driveway contractors across Brentwood and Essex. Get free quotes and compare side by side.