RKG's quote page says the final price is confirmed after the site visit, once access, ground conditions and drainage have been measured. That matters because two driveways with the same surface and square metreage can need very different preparation.
Quick answer
Before accepting a driveway quote, check how the layout will park the cars you need, where water will run, how the new surface meets the house, garage and pavement, what edging holds the surface in place, what sub-base is included, and whether tight access changes the delivery or labour plan.
Driveway layout checks before choosing a finish
| Check | Why it matters | Question for the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Parking layout | The finished driveway needs to work for daily parking, not just look good in a sample board. | Where will each vehicle sit, and is the turning or reversing route clear? |
| Levels and thresholds | Falls should move water away from the house, garage and public pavement. | How will the new surface meet doors, walls, kerbs and existing drains? |
| Access for materials | RKG notes that tight or side-return-only access can slow work and add labour. | Can machinery and deliveries reach the work area, or will materials be hand-balled? |
| Sub-base depth | RKG repeatedly ties long driveway life to excavation, MOT Type 1 and compaction. | What excavation depth, membrane and compacted sub-base are included? |
| Edging and borders | Tarmac, resin, shingle and blocks all rely on edge restraints to keep a crisp stable finish. | What kerb, hidden restraint, block border or shingle edging is included? |
| Drainage route | Non-permeable surfaces and awkward levels need a clear water route before work starts. | Will water drain through the surface, to a border, to a channel drain or to a soakaway? |
How access affects the work
Access is not just about whether a van can park nearby. RKG's tarmac page notes that tight access can mean smaller lorry deliveries, more journeys and slower laying. The landscaping page also notes that side-return-only access, common on some Oxford terraces, can mean hand-balling materials in and out.
That does not mean a driveway cannot be built, but it should be priced honestly. If access is awkward, ask whether the quote includes the extra labour, delivery approach, waste removal and any protection needed for paths or neighbouring boundaries.
How layout connects to drainage
RKG's drainage guidance says the water route should be agreed before the surface is chosen. The same is true of layout. A driveway that slopes toward the house, garage or pavement may need falls adjusted, a permeable surface, a channel drain, a soakaway, a French drain or a run-off route to a permeable border.
For surface-specific drainage trade-offs, compare the driveway drainage solutions guide, the permeable driveway options guide and the planning and drainage guide.
What should be written into the quote?
A useful written quote should explain more than the surface name. It should cover excavation, compacted sub-base, membrane where needed, edging, drainage, access assumptions, expected installation timeline and guarantee. RKG's quote page already says the fixed quote follows a measured site visit; use that visit to make the practical layout decisions visible.
If you are comparing quotations, read the driveway quote checklist, the sub-base preparation guide and the installation timeline guide alongside this page.