Watchdog - Driveways and patios

The tips below will help pave the way to getting a driveway that you can enjoy for years to come:

Finding the right company

Personal recommendations are a good way of finding companies operating in your area. If this isn't possible, keep your eyes peeled for companies that are members of trade associations such as the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) or the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL). While this is no guarantee of a company's work, the associations do inspect some of their members' past projects to ensure the quality is up to standard.

Don't be swayed by a fancy portfolio

Companies will often be very keen to show off photos of their previous projects. These should be taken with a pinch of salt as they often reveal little about the quality of the workmanship and there's no guarantee the company actually did the work in the first place.

Go and see their previous projects

Nothing beats going to see past examples of the company's work and speak to previous customers. A reputable firm should be happy to arrange this. Be wary if a company comes up with excuses as to why this isn't possible.

Get it in writing

Make sure you get a full quote and detailed specification from the company in writing. This should include a break down of exactly what work will be done and should include quantities and details of manufacturers for any materials used.

If in doubt, get other quotes

If you're dealing with a company that you don't know that much about, be sure to get other quotes as well (at least three is advisable). This will help you see what options are out there and avoid paying over the odds.

If you've had any problems with your drive or patio, you can report it to Watchdog at Got a story?