Price, surface and appearance are only part of choosing a driveway contractor. The written paperwork matters too: what is guaranteed, who is insured, what is paid when, and what evidence you keep after handover.
This guide uses only facts already published on the RKG site: 10-year written product guarantee references, £10m public liability and employer's liability, free measured site visits, fixed written quotes, small deposits, staged payments and handover guidance.
Quick answer
Before work starts, check that the quote names the surface and preparation, confirms the guarantee in writing, explains public liability insurance, sets out deposit and staged payment terms, and records the handover notes for curing, drainage and maintenance.
Guarantee and insurance checks
| Check | What RKG publishes | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Written guarantee | RKG references a 10-year written product guarantee across its service and quote pages. | What exactly is covered, and how does it relate to product or manufacturer warranties? |
| Public liability | The site states £10m public liability insurance and fully insured crews. | Can insurance details be confirmed before excavation, deliveries or machinery arrive? |
| Employer's liability | The homepage FAQ says RKG has full employer's liability. | Who is responsible for crews and subcontracted work if anything changes? |
| Written quote | RKG's quote guidance says a measured site visit is followed by a fixed written quote. | Does the quote specify excavation, sub-base, drainage, edging, surface and waste removal? |
| Payment stages | The quote FAQ states a small deposit, typically 10%, books materials and crew time, with balance staged through the job. | What is due at each stage, and what needs to be completed before each payment? |
Read the guarantee alongside the specification
A guarantee is only as clear as the specification it supports. If the quote does not explain the sub-base, drainage route, edging, surface choice and handover timing, it is harder to know what the written guarantee applies to.
RKG's existing driveway quote checklist, sub-base preparation guide and drainage guide cover the practical items to connect to the guarantee.
Check insurance before the practical risks arrive
Driveway work can involve excavation, skips, deliveries, plant, materials stacked near the property and crews working around vehicles or public edges. RKG states £10m public liability and full employer's liability, which are sensible checks before the job starts rather than after a problem.
If a quote involves restricted access, a sloped drive, tight kerbs or drainage work near the house, insurance and responsibility should be clear before materials are ordered.
Understand deposit and staged payment terms
RKG's quote page says a small deposit, typically 10%, books materials and crew time. It also says the balance is staged through the job and that homeowners do not pay until they are happy with the work at each stage.
Whatever contractor you choose, ask for payment terms in writing: deposit, start date, stages, what counts as completion, and what happens if the specification changes during excavation.
What to keep after handover
- The fixed written quote and any agreed specification changes.
- The written product guarantee and any manufacturer warranty notes.
- Insurance confirmation if provided before work starts.
- Handover notes covering curing, drainage, cleaning, sealing or shingle upkeep.
- Photos or notes from the final walk-through, especially around drainage and edges.
For aftercare questions once the work is complete, use the new driveway aftercare guide and the maintenance guide.