Cheap vs Expensive Driveway Quotes: What You Are Really Comparing
Two quotes for the same driveway usually differ because they describe different work, not because one contractor is cheaper for the same job. Before comparing totals, check the number of coats, whether cleaning and crack filling are included, how the edges are handled and whether IVA is shown.
Send us a photo and the m²Why do quotes for the same driveway vary so much?
Because a driveway refresh has several stages, and each can be included, reduced or left out. The headline figure only tells you what someone will charge, not what they will do.
A quote that looks cheap often has one coat instead of two, treats cleaning as an extra, or says nothing about cracks. A quote that looks expensive may simply be complete.
Which stages get cut from cheap quotes?
- The second coat. One coat on weathered concrete tends to look patchy, especially on stamped patterns.
- Cleaning. Painting over dirt, algae or a chalky surface leaves the coating with little to grip.
- Crack filling. Unfilled cracks show through the new colour almost at once.
- Cut-in. Rolling up to the edges without brush work leaves untidy lines along walls and posts.
Each of these is invisible on the day you sign. Each is very visible later. That is why our guide to what the €15/m² includes lists them one by one.
How do you compare two quotes fairly?
Turn them into the same shape. Write down, for each quote, the m², the price per m², the number of coats and which preparation stages are included.
| Question | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Area used (m²) | ||
| Price per m² before IVA | ||
| Number of coats | ||
| Pressure washing included? | ||
| Crack filling included? | ||
| Cut-in by brush included? | ||
| IVA rate shown? |
When every row matches, the cheaper total is genuinely cheaper. When rows differ, you are comparing two different jobs.
Is the cheapest quote ever the right choice?
Yes, when the surface only needs part of the work. If the colour is still good and only dirt hides it, a cleaning-only quote is the right answer and will naturally be lower.
The pressure washing cost page explains when cleaning on its own is enough. The mistake is buying a partial job when the surface needs the whole one.
What does the false economy cost you?
Usually a second job. If a one-coat or unprepared finish wears patchy or peels, the next contractor has to remove loose paint before starting, which adds preparation to the new quote.
You also lose the thing you were paying for: a deep, even colour. On the Marbella reference job, two coats over a cleaned and repaired surface gave a dark, glossy, uniform finish from gate to carport.
What about the price per m² on very large or very small areas?
Size changes the picture in both directions. On a large, open driveway, the rate covers the job comfortably; on a tiny area with many edges, the fixed effort of setting up and cutting in weighs more per square metre.
That is why a quote for 15 m² and one for 150 m² should not be compared purely on the rate. Look at whether the layout is similar, and ask the contractor to explain any difference in the per m² figure.
We do the same in reverse: if your area is small or awkward, we say so in the written quote rather than quietly raising the rate. You always see the reason next to the number.
Where does our price sit?
Our guide rate is approximately €15/m² + IVA, with washing, crack filling, cut-in and two coats always included. For an 80 m² driveway that is €1,200 before tax.
We are not trying to be the cheapest number you see. We are trying to be the easiest to check. The driveway painting cost page gives more examples, and the quote calculator gives you a figure for your own area.
If you want a structured way to compare several contractors, our checklist puts these questions on one page.
Frequently asked questions
Why is one driveway quote so much cheaper than another?
Usually because it includes less work: one coat instead of two, no cleaning, no crack filling or no brush cut-in. Put the quotes side by side and check each stage. If they describe the same work, the lower total is a genuine saving; if not, you are comparing different jobs.
Is one coat enough on a driveway?
On weathered concrete, one coat rarely gives an even, deep colour, particularly on stamped patterns. That is why our rate always includes two coats. If a quote does not state the number of coats, ask before comparing it with others.
What should a complete driveway quote include?
The m² for each area, the rate, the number of coats, pressure washing, crack filling, cut-in along edges and IVA as a separate line. Anything excluded should be stated, so you are not surprised later by what was missing.
Is it worth paying more for a better finish?
Paying for complete work is worth it if the surface needs it. Paying more for the same specification is not. That is why the comparison has to be on content first and price second, using the same m² in each quote. A complete job done once usually costs less than a partial job done twice.
Can I ask a contractor to add a second coat?
Yes. Ask for a revised quote with two coats so you can compare it fairly. Any contractor should be able to tell you how the price changes. With us, two coats are already included in the guide rate. A contractor who cannot answer that clearly is giving you useful information too.
Does a cheaper quote mean lower quality paint?
Not necessarily, but you cannot tell from the total. Ask what type of coating is used and how many coats. We use synthetic resin paint in two coats, and we refer to the product data sheet for any performance details.
Is the most expensive quote always the best?
No. A higher price is only justified if it includes more or better work. If two quotes describe identical stages on the same m², the lower one is simply better value. Check the content before deciding. Ask each contractor to list the stages in writing.
What is your price for an 80 m² driveway?
At the guide rate, 80 m² × €15 = €1,200 before IVA. That includes washing, routine crack filling, brush cut-in and two coats. With 21% IVA the total is €1,452, or €1,320 if the reduced rate applies. The figure is confirmed from your photos.
Should I choose cleaning only to save money?
Only if the colour is still good. Cleaning removes dirt, algae and loose material, but it cannot bring back colour that has faded out of the concrete. If the surface is faded or cracked, a full refresh is the better use of money.
How do I know a quote includes IVA?
Look for a separate IVA line or the words + IVA next to the price. Spanish rules require it to be clear whether a displayed price includes taxes. If it is not clear, ask, because 21% makes a real difference to the total.