Any idea of tarmac driveway costs ???

[gsi32]

We need to get our existing driveway extended to allow two cars. The extension is approx 4m X 2m (with edging slabs). Some geezers have just have been round and quoted £450

Anyone know if this is cheap, expensive, about right ?

I haven't got a clue so any feedback would be great !

Cheers.

[sonic]

I dont know but that sounds a bit too cheap!

Our driveway, OK it's very big and serves 4 houses but it cost £16,000.

The local highways department did it, and were one of the cheaper quotes we had.

I think you need to make sure you find a decent company, and avoid the tarmaccer brigade!!

[Johnsdutton]

If it was geezers that were round cold calling do not let them anywhere near it. Always go for a well known company.

[shan]

Same as john just said. Don't let just anybody to do it. Sounds a bit rope'y. Probably just stick an inch or 2 of the black stuff down and the weeds will be through before you park a car on it.
Why not get a few quotes from real builders.
Why not even look into block paving it. Last's far longer and looks much much better.

[gsi32]

Oh Sh*t !!!

I'm worried now, Its a proper firm (well, they have a van and leaflets) and they say you don't pay until you are satisfied. They are doing 4 houses at the same time (minor extensions to tarmac driveway) so will be digging all 4 out first, one by one, then laying the tarmac from one delivery....

Should I still be worried, I mean, a big of digging, lay edge stones and lay tarmac, can't be that hard - can it ???

[shan]

No need to be worried if you have not said yes to doing it or not paid out any money. I can drive around in a van and print out a handfull of bit's of toilet paper to hand out. Saying i can lay tar mac. Sounds not right to me.
Just tell them to forget it. If they give you any hassle just say you are calling the cops.
I'd do a 4x2 parking area in block paveing mate. Wont cost a lot and far better.
I dont think it will be to hard if you know what your doing. But do thet ???. I'd put money on it that they would lay about 1/2 inch's and it might look ok but the weeds will push through and it will fall apart.

[VauxVeteran]

It'll need hardcore first, I think you should have 4 - 6 inches of it and then the tarmac on top, or the 1st time you park on it it will sink, 450 quid seems way to cheap, the materials will cost more than that.

[Johnsdutton]

It all depends on the preparation work. You really need to lay a good foundation of hardcore at least 4 inches (not centimetres) preferably 6 inches, then compact it, and then lay the tar which should be of a certain quality and thickness. Sorry I do not have details on the tar, but I would be looking for at least 2 inches thick personally.

[glynn]

did you ever watch rouge traders on the tv there was doggy tarmacers and put about an inch of hardcore and about the same in tarmac it should have at least 6" of hardcore and a good 2" of tarmac

i would let them start the other three drives and see how much soil they take out then you will get some indecation on the type of job they are doing

[Johnsdutton]

Just had a quick look and Wickes sell jumbo sized bags of ballast for £40 each, I think they hold about half a ton each you would probably need about 2 ton for you drive, hard to say for sure without seeing it, then you have the cost of the tar and any other materials needed. So the price you have been quoted does look cheap, and you know what that means.
Cheap price = Cheap job.