Most tar driveways look the same on the day they are finished. The difference between a good contractor and a poor one shows up a year or two later, when one driveway is still solid and the other is cracking and sinking. Here is how to tell them apart before you sign.
Questions to ask
- What goes under the tar? Ask how deep they will excavate, what base material they will use, and how it will be compacted. A good contractor will explain this without hesitation.
- How thick is the asphalt? Residential driveways typically use 25 to 40 mm of hot-mix asphalt. Get it in writing.
- Hot or cold asphalt? Hot-mix asphalt, compacted while hot, is the standard for durable work.
- Where will the water go? Ask about falls, drains and what happens at the garage and gate.
- How will the edges be finished? Kerbs, a paved border or a compacted, tapered edge? Unsupported edges crumble.
- What is the guarantee, and what does it cover? Get it in writing.
- Can I see recent work? Ask for addresses or photos of jobs in your area.
What a proper quote includes
- Area in square metres.
- Excavation and removal of the old surface.
- Base material type and thickness.
- Prime coat.
- Asphalt type and thickness.
- Edging.
- Drainage work.
- VAT clearly stated.
- Payment terms.
If two quotes are very different in price, compare these items line by line. The cheaper quote often leaves out the base.
Warning signs
- “We have leftover tar from a job down the road.” Door-to-door offers like this are a common scam. The work is usually done on no base, with thin or cold material, and the crew is impossible to find later.
- Pressure to decide today.
- Large cash deposits before any work starts.
- No physical address or landline.
- Vague quotes with only a total price.
Check the details
Make sure the business has a real address and contact details, and ask about insurance and any industry registrations. For larger commercial and estate work, ask about CIDB grading where it applies.
Our approach
We give every customer a free site survey and a written, itemised quote within 24 hours, so you can compare us fairly. Read more about how we build tar driveways.