There are far too many bad-luck stories from people who have engaged the services of a tarmac driveway contractor to carry out driveway surfacing, only to be left deeply disappointed and out of pocket as well.
This guide to finding a tarmac driveway contractor will help you find the right supplier, talk you through the key things to look out for and a list of questions to ask before you commit.
On the face of it, tarmac driveway surfacing sounds like a fairly easy job. But your driveway is only as good as what lies underneath, and if it hasn’t been done properly, it will start to crack and deteriorate. Poor preparation or an inadequate sub-base are likely to cause drainage problems which, at best, leads to cracking and flooding, and at worst means a complete redo at your expense.
A poorly carried out job might look alright for a while, but the problems tend to show up a few months later – long after the contractor has gone.
If you want the job done well, first time, there are some telltale trust signals that you should look out for from the start. Here’s what we recommend you look out for:
You’ll want to find an experienced driveway contractor who has been in business for a long time, and has a strong reputation for quality work in your local area. Ask to see some examples of recent projects and check out their online reviews and independent testimonials. A good tarmac contractor will have no shortage of happy customers who will be more than happy to vouch for them.
Keep your eyes peeled for ISO 9001 (quality management) certified contractors, and ones who are pre-vetted suppliers on Constructionline. They should also be fully insured and hold a current waste carrier licence.
This is a question we get asked a lot (and often, homeowners aren’t even sure how to tell if they have a tarmac or asphalt driveway, or whether it even matters). The answer is pretty simple: for most homeowners, the two terms are interchangeable and describe the same thing: a dark, bitumen-bound surface made of stone and binder.
In the UK, ‘tarmac’ tends to be the standard name for this kind of surface, whereas ‘asphalt driveway’ is the more common term in the US and elsewhere around the world. The crumbling causes are the same, no matter which word you use for it.
Technically speaking, in the trade there can be subtle differences between tarmac and asphalt to describe different mixes and methods, but a professional can advise you on that.
Fun fact: The name ‘tarmac’ is short for ‘tar macadam’. Why? Because while today it is made from bitumen, tarmac used to be made from tar. And the ‘macadam’ bit? Well, that’s because ‘macadam’ was the name given to a road-building system that was invented by Scottish engineer John Louden McAdam in the early 19th century. It didn’t contain tar or bitumen, just tightly packed, graded stone. Tar macadam came a bit later when tar was introduced into the mix, and these days, it’s just shortened to ‘tarmac’ and sometimes ‘tarmacadam’.
Finding a contractor to do your tarmac driveway installation is an important decision that you only want to make once. It can be helpful to have a list of questions you need answering to hand. Here’s what we suggest you ask any potential contractor before going ahead:
Before you formally engage with any contractor, make sure you have a clear and detailed quote, in writing. It should be itemised and cover the area, materials, depth and sub-base, preparation, drainage, edging, waste removal, VAT, payment terms and timescale. If any of these details are missing, ask for clarification in writing before you go any further.
Once given the go ahead, a contractor will begin work by starting with preparation and sub-base, moving on to laying and compaction, through to finishing, edges and aftercare. You can learn more about the process in our article “What to expect from your driveway resurfacing process”.
For customers in and around Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Reading, extending to the rest of the UK, Hazell & Jefferies is your first choice for reliable, trustworthy and efficient tarmac driveway installation.
Since our family-run business opened back in 1971, we’ve provided first-rate road and driveway surfacing services on hundreds of residential, commercial, civil and construction projects. We’ve repaired and replaced driveways for a long list of happy customers across Oxford, Didcot, Wallingford, Henley-on-Thames, and beyond – and we’d love to do that for you, too.
Our service is not only rooted in exceptional customer care, but also backed up with the qualifications and accreditations that we know our customers find reassuring.
We are proud that much of our business comes from word-of-mouth recommendations from happy customers. So if you need fast and effective tarmac driveway installation, give Hazell & Jefferies Ltd a call for a free, no-obligation quote.
Check out our FAQs to learn more about working with Hazell & Jefferies.
