This guide uses facts already published on the RKG site: free measured site visits, fixed written quotes, engineered sub-bases, drainage and access checks, edge restraints, material samples, 10-year written product guarantee references, insurance references and staged payment guidance.
Quick answer
The biggest mistake is treating a driveway as a surface-only purchase. A good installation decision should also cover what is removed, how the base is prepared, where water will go, how edges are held, how daily vehicle use affects the surface choice and what is written into the final quote.
Mistakes to avoid before driveway work starts
| Mistake | Why it matters | Safer check |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing headline prices only | Two quotes can look similar while including different excavation, sub-base, edging or drainage work. | Compare the written scope line by line before comparing price. |
| Leaving sub-base details vague | RKG guidance repeatedly points to excavation, MOT Type 1, compaction and preparation below the finish. | Ask what base build-up and compaction are included for the chosen surface. |
| Assuming water will take care of itself | Planning, SuDS, falls, permeable surfaces, channel drains and soakaways can all affect the right driveway design. | Make the drainage route part of the quote, especially for front drives and sloped areas. |
| Forgetting edge restraint | Tarmac, resin, shingle and block paving all depend on stable edges or borders. | Agree kerbs, block borders, hidden edging or other restraints before work starts. |
| Choosing materials away from the property | Colours, aggregate size, block ranges, access, parking layout and thresholds read differently on site. | Use the measured site visit to review samples and check levels, access and layout. |
| Leaving handover until the end | Curing, cleaning, sealing, drainage checks and paperwork matter after the installation is finished. | Confirm aftercare notes, guarantee terms and payment stages in advance. |
Use the site visit to reduce risk
RKG's published process is built around a measured site visit before a fixed written quote. That visit is the right time to check parking layout, access constraints, existing surface condition, levels, thresholds, drainage routes and surface samples against the actual property.
Match the surface to daily use
Existing RKG guides already compare shingle, block paving, tarmac and resin by cost, permeability, maintenance, heavy use, slope suitability and appearance. Use those pages to narrow the finish, then use the quote to confirm the hidden preparation that supports it.
Related checks before you accept a quote
Use this page with the driveway quote checklist, quote red flags guide, site visit checklist, sub-base preparation guide, drainage solutions guide, edging guide and handover checklist.