The Checklist for Choosing a Driveway Restoration Contractor
A good restoration contractor will tell you whether your surface should be restored at all, describe every step from cleaning to the final coat, state clearly what is excluded and refer durability questions to the product data sheet. Use the ten questions below with anyone you are considering, including us.
Send us a photo and the m²Why use a checklist at all?
Because restoration quotes are easy to make look alike and hard to compare. Two documents that both say ‘driveway restoration’ can describe very different jobs. A checklist forces the differences into the open before you commit.
It is especially useful if you are choosing from abroad, when you cannot stand on the drive with each contractor and ask questions in person.
Keep the answers in writing. An email or WhatsApp thread that records what each contractor said about preparation, coats and exclusions is the easiest way to compare them later, and a useful reference if anything about the job is ever in question.
Questions 1–3: Did they assess the surface honestly?
- Did they ask for photos or visit before quoting? A firm price without seeing the surface is a guess.
- Did they check for movement? Sinking, rocking slabs and widening cracks should be raised, not ignored.
- Did they say whether restoration is the right answer? A contractor who never says no is not assessing.
Our page on clean, restore or replace explains what a proper assessment looks for.
Questions 4–6: Is the method clear?
- Is pressure cleaning included? Preparation decides whether the coating holds.
- Are cracks and small defects repaired before colour? They should be named in the quote.
- Are the edges cut in by brush, and how many coats are applied? We apply two coats, after edging by hand.
Our patio refresh service shows how these steps fit together.
Questions 7–8: Are exclusions and durability handled honestly?
- What is excluded? Line marking, space numbering, structural work and new paving are common exclusions; they should be stated.
- Where do drying, use and durability information come from? The answer should be the product data sheet, not a round number.
Our article on red flags in quotes explains why these two questions matter so much.
Be wary of confident promises in either direction. A contractor who promises a set number of seasons, or one who refuses to discuss durability at all, is not helping you. The useful answer sits in between: here is what the data sheet says, and here is what affects it on your site.
Question 9: Is the business identifiable, and is VAT clear?
Under Spain’s LSSI, businesses with websites must give their name, address, email and tax number and, where prices are shown, say whether taxes are included. Check that you can identify who you are dealing with and reach them directly.
The quote should show VAT clearly. The reduced rate for dwelling renovation applies only under conditions, and changes to payment requirements were pending ratification at the time of writing, so confirm the current position with an adviser.
Question 10: Can they work with you from abroad, in English?
If you do not live here full time, ask how the job will run without you: who arranges access, how you will follow progress and in which language. Photos of the stages, sent by WhatsApp or email, are a reasonable request.
We communicate in English, quote from photos and plan access through your key holder or manager. Our villa terrace refresh page explains how.
How do you use the answers?
Compare contractors on the answers first and the price second. If two quotes match on assessment, method, exclusions and data sheet references, comparing prices makes sense. If they do not, the cheaper one is usually a smaller job.
For what drives a restoration price, see our cost factors guide, and for the indicative rate, our price site.
Finally, trust the quality of the conversation. A contractor who asks good questions about your surface, explains the limits of the work and answers in a language you are comfortable with is far more likely to deliver what you expect.
Frequently asked questions
What questions should I ask a driveway contractor?
Ask whether restoration suits your surface, whether they checked for movement, which steps are included (cleaning, repairs, edging, number of coats), what is excluded, where drying and durability information comes from, how VAT is shown and how the job runs if you are not there.
Is it a bad sign if a contractor says restoration is not right for me?
No, it is a good sign. It means they assessed the surface rather than simply selling a job. If your drive is moving, an honest contractor should tell you to deal with that first. Treat that honesty as a point in their favour when you compare companies.
How many coats should a driveway restoration include?
Our restorations use two coats of synthetic resin paint, applied after cleaning, repairs and cutting in the edges. Whatever a contractor proposes, the number of coats should be stated in the quote. If a quote does not mention coats at all, ask before you compare it with the others.
Should the contractor show me a product data sheet?
You should be able to see the data sheet for the coating, especially for drying, use and maintenance information. You do not need a brand recommendation, but the information that governs your surface should be available. If a contractor cannot or will not provide it, consider that a reason for caution.
How can I check a contractor is legitimate?
Check that the website names the business, gives a postal address, an email and a tax number, as the LSSI expects, and that you can reach a real person directly. Our office is on Avenida Antonio Belón in Marbella, and we work as an autónomo.
Is there an English-speaking driveway company in Marbella?
We are based in Marbella and handle quotes, questions and updates in English, by WhatsApp or email. We work across the whole of Malaga province and quote from photos, so you can arrange the work from abroad. Your property manager can also deal with us in Spanish if that suits them better.
What should a quote say about exclusions?
It should list work not included, such as line marking, numbering of spaces, structural repairs and new paving. Clear exclusions prevent extras appearing later and tell you what else you may need to arrange. If the exclusions are vague, ask for them in writing before you accept anything.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Only if it matches the others on assessment, method, coats and exclusions. A lower price often reflects less preparation or one coat instead of two. Compare the answers to the checklist first, then the price. A short list of written answers makes that comparison far easier, especially from abroad.
Can I ask for photos during the work?
Yes, and it is a reasonable request, especially from abroad. Photos after cleaning and repairs, and of the finished surface, show that each step was done before the colour covered it. Any contractor comfortable with their preparation should have no difficulty agreeing to it.
Does this checklist apply to communities and businesses?
Yes. Communities should also check that the quote is clear enough for owners at the Junta, and businesses should ask how the work will be phased around opening hours. The core questions remain the same. For both, the person dealing with the contractor should keep the answers on file for later reference.