How to Choose a Driveway Contractor in Manchester: 8 Questions to Ask

A driveway is a significant investment — typically £4,000–£12,000 for a medium-sized domestic job. Unlike a faulty appliance, a badly installed driveway can't be returned or exchanged. Poor groundwork, wrong materials, or a rushed job can result in cracking, sinking, drainage problems, and a surface that needs replacing within 5 years.

The driveway industry has a well-documented problem with rogue traders. Doorstep approaches, cash-only deals, and "we're working in your area" offers are all red flags. Here's how to protect yourself.

Ask for the company's registered name and Companies House number. Any legitimate contractor will have this readily available. You can verify it instantly at companieshouse.gov.uk. A sole trader is not automatically a problem, but they should be able to provide a UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) number if asked.

Dalys Driveways Limited has been a registered company since 1969. We're happy to provide all company details upfront.

Ask to see completed jobs, ideally in your area. Photos on a website are a good start, but ask if you can visit or speak to a recent customer. A contractor who can't provide a single reference should be treated with caution.

Also check Google Reviews, Checkatrade, and Trustpilot. Look at the volume and recency of reviews, not just the rating — a contractor with 200+ reviews over several years is much more reliable evidence than one with 10 reviews from the same month.

Never accept a verbal quote. Any professional contractor will provide a written quote that details:

- Exact scope of work (what is being removed, what is being installed) - Specification of materials (product names, not just generic descriptions) - Depth of sub-base and construction layers - Start and completion dates - Payment terms - What is NOT included

If a contractor refuses to provide a written, itemised quote — walk away.

Many larger driveway companies in Greater Manchester use subcontractors. This isn't always a problem, but it means the company has less direct control over quality. Ask whether the people doing the work are direct employees or subcontractors.

At Dalys Driveways, all installation is carried out by our own employed team. We never subcontract, which is why we can offer a meaningful guarantee.

Ask specifically what is guaranteed and for how long. A vague "we guarantee our work" is meaningless. A proper guarantee should state:

- What is covered (surface, sub-base, edging) - Duration (5 years is a minimum; 10 years is better) - What constitutes a valid claim - How claims are processed

Get the guarantee in writing before the job starts.

Driveway installation for domestic properties qualifies for 5% reduced rate VAT. Any contractor with a turnover above £90,000 is legally required to be VAT registered. If a contractor asks for cash and offers to "not charge VAT", this is a strong indicator of an unregistered business — and means you have no legal recourse if things go wrong.

The surface is only as good as what lies beneath it. Ask your contractor to explain the base construction they will use. A standard driveway should include:

- Excavation to at least 200mm depth - Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base (150–200mm) - Appropriate bedding layer (sharp sand for block paving; tarmac or concrete base for resin bound)

If a contractor proposes to lay directly over your existing surface without assessing its condition, be very cautious.

Non-permeable driveways (standard tarmac, concrete) over 5m² technically require planning permission under permitted development rules unless water drains to a soakaway rather than the road. A good contractor will identify this during the site visit and advise accordingly — either designing a drainage solution that removes the requirement, or helping you with the permitted development application.

Beware of contractors who dismiss this question — it suggests they are not fully compliant with building regulations.