How Your Driveway Painting Quote Is Worked Out
A quote from us starts with one multiplication, your area in m² × €15, and is then checked against three things in your photos: condition, access and layout. IVA is added last as a separate line, so every part of the number can be traced.
Send us a photo and the m²Where does every quote start?
Every quote starts with the area. We multiply the m² of each surface by our guide rate of approximately €15/m², which already pays for pressure washing, routine crack filling, brush cut-in and two coats of synthetic resin paint.
So a 40 m² carport begins at €600 and a 120 m² driveway at €1,800, both before IVA. That first figure is the anchor; everything that follows either confirms it or explains why it moves.
How do you check the square metres?
We compare the area you give us with what we see in the photos. It is easy to round up or forget a side path, so a quick cross-check prevents surprises in both directions.
Where the shape is irregular, we split it into simple rectangles and add them up. Our guide on measuring your driveway explains the same method so you can do it yourself before asking.
For large communal areas, a building plan is usually more reliable than photos, and we prefer to work from it when the administrator can share one.
Areas that will not be painted, such as planted beds, a fixed barbecue base or a section you want to keep as it is, are left out of the m². Mention them so the measurement matches the work.
What do you look for in the photos about condition?
We look for anything that adds preparation before the paint can go on. A faded but intact surface needs only the standard wash and filling; other problems take more time.
- Staining: oil, rust or tyre marks that a normal wash may not lift.
- Old coatings: paint that is peeling or flaking and must be removed for new coats to bond.
- Defects: small potholes, spalled patches, open joints and chipped edges.
- Crack pattern: routine weathering cracks versus cracks that suggest ground movement.
The last point decides whether we quote at all. A moving base cannot be fixed with filler and paint, and we say so before you spend anything.
Why does access change the price?
Because access decides how much of the time on site is spent working and how much is spent getting to the work. A flat, open driveway next to the gate is the quickest case.
- Steep ramps and slopes that slow down every stage.
- Areas reached only through the house, a narrow side passage or a flight of steps.
- Surfaces crowded with planters, loungers or cars that cannot be moved.
- Limited hours, as in communal garages where residents need access.
Tell us about these up front and include a photo of the way in. It lets us price accurately instead of padding the quote against the unknown.
How does the layout affect the amount of brush work?
Every edge is painted by hand before the rollers go on, so the more edge there is per m², the more time the job takes. A single large rectangle has little edge; a patio broken up by beds, steps and posts has a lot.
Imprinted concrete adds another layer: the grout lines and deep texture of the pattern take more brush work than a smooth slab. That is explained on the imprinted concrete cost page.
How do adjustments show up on the quote?
As separate lines with a reason, never as a silently higher rate. If nothing in your photos goes beyond normal weathering and fair access, there are no extra lines at all.
| Line | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Area 1, 2, 3… | Each surface with its m² × €15 |
| Additional preparation | Only if needed: what, where and why |
| Subtotal | Total before IVA |
| IVA | The applicable rate and the amount |
| Total | What you pay |
This structure makes our quotes easy to compare with others. Our article on mistakes when comparing quotes shows what to check line by line.
How is IVA added?
IVA is added to the subtotal as its own line. The general rate is 21%; a reduced rate of 10% can apply to renovation and repair of homes when the client, the age of the dwelling and the share of materials meet the legal conditions.
On a €1,800 subtotal, that means €2,178 at 21% or €1,980 at 10%. Our IVA guide explains the conditions with official sources, including the points that are still to be verified.
What happens after you send the quote?
You read it, ask any questions and decide. If something changes, such as an extra area or a different colour, we send a revised version in writing so there is always one current document.
Once you accept, the work follows the same six steps every time: photos, cleaning, repair, cut-in, two coats, done. You can start the process with the quote calculator or see the price logic for plain surfaces on the driveway painting cost page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step in working out my quote?
We multiply the area of each surface by the guide rate of approximately €15 per m². That figure already includes pressure washing, routine crack filling, brush cut-in and two coats of synthetic resin paint. Everything else in the quote either confirms that number or explains why it moves.
Why do you need photos if the price is per m²?
Because the m² is only one of three factors. Condition and access decide whether the guide rate holds, and they only show up in photos. Photos also let us check your measurement and spot anything, like ground movement, that a refresh would not solve.
Can my quote be lower than area × €15?
The guide rate is the figure for a sound, normally weathered surface with fair access, so a quote for such a surface sits on it. If a job is unusual in some way, we explain that in writing. We would rather publish a realistic rate than a low one that rarely applies.
What makes a quote go above the guide rate?
Heavy staining that a normal wash will not lift, old flaking paint that must come off, many small defects, difficult access and a layout with lots of edges. Each of these appears as a separate, explained line, so you can see exactly what is driving the difference.
Do you charge more for imprinted concrete?
The headline rate is the same. Deep texture, many grout lines, steps and borders mean more brush work, which we take into account from the photos. A wide, open stamped driveway with few obstacles usually sits right on the guide rate.
How do I know the m² in the quote is right?
Each area is listed with its m². If it differs from what you told us, we say why, for example a path that was not mentioned or a planted bed that is excluded. You can check it with a tape measure or a satellite map before accepting.
Is IVA included in the figures?
No. IVA is always added as a separate line at the end. The general rate is 21%, and a reduced 10% rate can apply to home renovation when the legal conditions are met. The quote states which rate is used and the resulting total.
What if the photos show a problem you cannot fix?
We tell you before quoting. A base that is moving, slabs that have dropped or sections broken right through cannot be solved with a refresh. We do not carry out structural work, so we explain the issue honestly rather than quote for a refresh that would fail.
Can I change the quote after receiving it?
Yes. If you want to add or remove an area, or change the colour, we send a revised quote in writing. Keeping one current document avoids confusion, especially when co-owners, a property manager or an administrator are involved in the decision.
Can I see finished work before accepting a quote?
Yes. The projects page shows our Marbella reference job at each stage: the faded imprinted driveway, the pressure washing of the carport, the filled cracks, the brush cut-in, the first strips of colour and the final deep, glossy finish. Those are the same stages your quote pays for.