What Owners Wish They Had Known Before Asking for a Quote
The things worth knowing early are simple: good photos save a visit, IVA is added on top, a refresh cannot fix a moving base, and drying times come from the product data sheet, not from a contractor's memory. Knowing them first makes the quote faster and the result better.
Send us a photo and the m²Did you know photos can replace a site visit?
For most driveways and patios, clear daylight photos and an approximate area are enough for a written price. That matters if you are not in Spain, because nobody needs to wait for you to be there.
The quote calculator gives a guide figure for your m² at once, and you can attach the photos to the same request. Our guide on measuring your driveway helps with the area.
Did you know IVA is not included in the guide price?
Our rate of approximately €15/m² is always quoted + IVA. At 21%, a €1,200 job becomes €1,452; at the reduced 10%, if it applies, €1,320.
The 10% rate depends on who the client is, how old the dwelling is and the share of materials, and whether it covers driveways and patios has not been verified. Ask your adviser before budgeting at 10%.
Did you know a permit might be needed?
In Málaga city, repairing or coating exterior slabs in gardens, pools and common areas is listed as a minor work under a declaración responsable, with a municipal fee; in protected areas a licence may be required.
For Marbella and other towns we have not verified the rules (to be verified). Depending on the municipality and the zone, a declaración responsable or a licence may apply, so confirm with your ayuntamiento before the work starts.
Did you know cleaning alone might be enough?
If the colour of your surface is still good and dirt or algae are hiding it, a wash may be all you need. A full refresh only pays for itself when the colour has faded or the surface is cracked.
The pressure washing cost page explains how cleaning on its own is priced, and why it is quoted from photos rather than per m².
Did you know a refresh cannot fix a moving base?
Painting does not cure subsidence. If cracks keep widening, slabs have dropped or the surface moves under a car, the base needs attention first, and that is not work we carry out.
Finding this out before paying for a refresh is worth more than any saving on the price. We flag it from the photos before quoting.
Did you know drying times come from the data sheet?
How soon you can walk or drive on a newly coated surface depends on the product, the temperature and the humidity. The product data sheet is the only reliable source.
If you are planning the work around a rental booking or an arrival date, tell us when you ask for the quote, and we plan the stages with the data sheet in mind.
Did you know the colour does not change the price?
Choosing a darker or lighter tone does not change the rate per m². A deeper shade hides dust and tyre marks; the Marbella reference driveway was finished in a dark, glossy, even tone.
Did you know every area can be quoted separately?
A villa often has a driveway, a carport, a patio and a pool surround, and you do not have to do them all at once. Ask for each area on its own line and decide which to tackle first.
Doing everything together keeps the colour consistent across the property, but phasing spreads the cost. A per m² quote makes either choice easy to calculate in advance.
Did you know communities have their own rules?
If the area belongs to a community of owners, the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal decides whether a vote is needed. Necessary upkeep is mandatory without prior agreement; non-required improvements need a three-fifths majority.
The communal garage quote page explains how we prepare quotes for administrators. For the questions to ask any contractor, see our checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know before asking for a driveway quote?
That photos and a rough m² are usually enough, that IVA is added on top, that some towns require a declaración responsable, that a refresh cannot fix a moving base, and that drying times come from the product data sheet. Knowing these makes the process faster.
Do I need to be in Spain to get a quote?
No. Send photos and an approximate area by WhatsApp or the quote form, and we reply in English with a written quote. A key-holder or property manager can give us access on the day, and progress photos can be sent to you.
How much IVA should I budget for?
Budget for 21% unless you have confirmed that the reduced 10% rate for home renovation applies. On a €1,200 job, that is €252 at 21% or €120 at 10%. Whether the reduced rate covers driveways has not been verified.
Do I need a permit to repaint my driveway?
It depends on the town and the zone. In Málaga city, coating exterior slabs is listed as a minor work under a declaración responsable, with a fee, and protected zones may need a licence. For other towns, check with the ayuntamiento before work starts.
What if my driveway only needs cleaning?
Then cleaning alone may be the better spend. If the colour is still good and only dirt hides it, a wash can make a big difference. We price cleaning-only jobs from photos, because the effort depends on the dirt, not just the area.
Can a refresh fix all cracks?
It fixes routine weathering cracks, which are filled and then disappear under the two coats. It cannot fix cracks caused by a moving or sinking base; those need the base to be dealt with first. We tell you from the photos which kind you have.
When can I use the driveway after the work?
When the product data sheet allows. Drying times depend on the product, the temperature and the humidity, and foot traffic and cars may differ. We tell you on handover and can plan the work around a booking or arrival date.
Does a darker colour cost more?
No. The price per m² does not depend on the colour. A deeper tone is one option, because it hides dust and tyre marks. We agree the colour with you before the first coat goes on, so you know exactly what to expect.
What if the area belongs to my community?
Then the community decides, under the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal. Necessary upkeep of common elements is mandatory without a prior agreement; non-required improvements need a three-fifths majority. We prepare itemised quotes for the administrator to present. The administrator can send us the photos directly.
What is the single most useful thing to send?
A set of clear daylight photos: a wide shot from each end, a view of how the area is reached, and close-ups of the worst cracks or stains. With those and a rough area, we can usually confirm a price without a visit.