Why are repair quotes harder to judge than new paving?
A quote for new paving starts from a known specification: the area, the materials, the base. A repair quote depends on what lies under blocks nobody has lifted yet. Every contractor therefore makes assumptions, and the differences between quotes often lie in those assumptions rather than in the price of labour.
That makes it easy for an incomplete quote to look attractive. The red flags below are drawn from the questions owners commonly bring to us when comparing offers. None of them proves a quote is bad on its own, but each is worth a direct question before you agree to anything.
Does the quote say anything about the base?
This is the first and most important check. A quote that describes lifting and relaying the blocks but says nothing about the layers underneath is likely to cover only the surface. If the base caused the sinking, a repair that leaves it untouched will usually fail in the same place.
Ask what will happen once the blocks are up: will the old bedding be removed, will the sub-base be inspected, and what will be done if it is weak? A contractor who has thought about the job will answer clearly. Our lift and relay repair always includes base inspection and correction as part of the scope.
Is the area limited to the visible dip?
A quote that measures only the sunken area, with no margin, is a warning sign. The blocks around a dip are usually tilted towards it, and the failed base often extends beyond what you can see. Limiting the repair to the hollow produces a patch with a ridge around it or a new dip next to the old one. Ask how far beyond the dip the paving will be lifted, and how the new level will be blended into the old. The answer should mention reaching firm base on all sides.
Is water left out of the picture?
If your paving sank near a downpipe, at a garage threshold or beside a drain, water is very likely part of the cause. A quote that does not mention where the water comes from or where it will go has probably not considered it. Relaying without correcting the water source sets up the same failure.
Ask whether falls will be checked, whether downpipes or channel drains will be dealt with, and whether that work is included or extra. Our drainage and standing water service is usually priced together with the paving repair for exactly this reason.
What other warning signs should you look out for?
- a single lump sum with no description of the work
- no mention of how waste will be removed and disposed of
- nothing about edges, kerbs or covers inside the repair area
- pressure to accept immediately or a discount that expires today
- a request for full payment before work starts
- no business details, address or tax identification on the document
- promises about how many years the repair will last
The last point deserves a comment. Nobody can honestly predict the future behaviour of ground they have not opened. A contractor can explain the cause, the method and the result; promises beyond that are sales language, not engineering. Honest contractors describe what they will do, not what the ground will do.
What does a clear repair quote look like?
A clear quote names the area to be lifted including the margin, describes the expected base work and the assumption behind it, says how water and drainage will be dealt with, covers edges and covers, states how waste is handled, and explains what happens if the opening shows a different cause. It also identifies the business properly.
This kind of quote is longer, but it lets you compare offers like for like. Our pricing site has a page on what a paving quote includes and a guide to comparing quotes, both useful when you have several offers on the table.
Are there red flags in how the quote is presented?
Sometimes the warning signs are not in the figures but in the process. A quote given without looking at photos of the whole area, or without asking how the surface is used, is unlikely to reflect your job. Neither is a quote that arrives with no mention of what was seen on the visit or in the photos.
Equally, a contractor who cannot explain in plain terms what caused the sinking, or who seems uninterested in drains and downpipes, is probably planning to treat the symptom. A good quote reads as if it was written for your paving, not copied from the last job.
Which questions do owners ask us most when comparing quotes?
One frequent question is why our quote is longer than another one. Usually it is because we describe the base work and the water correction, while the other quote does not mention them. Another is why we suggest a diagnosis first. The answer is that a small opening often prevents paying for the wrong repair.
Owners also ask whether we can match a lower price. We can explain what our scope includes and, if there is a lighter option that is still technically sound, we will say so. What we will not do is remove the base correction to reduce a number, because that turns a repair into a cosmetic fix. The article on cost myths about patching and relaying explains why.
What should you do before signing?
Put the same questions to every contractor: how far beyond the dip they will lift, what they will do with the base, how they will handle water, what is included for edges, covers and waste, and what happens if the opening reveals a different cause. Ask for the answers in writing as part of the quote. Send us a photo and the approximate m² – free, no-obligation quote. If you already have another quote, you are welcome to tell us what it includes so we can explain where ours differs and why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest red flag in a paving repair quote?
Silence about the base. If the quote only describes lifting and relaying the blocks, it probably does not include correcting the layers underneath. If the base caused the sinking, the repair is likely to fail in the same place.
Should a repair quote include drainage?
If water contributed to the sinking, yes, or at least it should say whether drainage work is included or extra. Relaying without dealing with a downpipe, a wrong fall or a blocked channel usually means the dip returns.
Is a cheaper quote necessarily worse?
Not necessarily, but it often describes less work. Compare scope line by line: area lifted, base work, drainage, edges, covers and waste. A lower price is fine if the scope is the same; it is a warning sign if key items are missing.
Why should I be wary of long-term promises about a repair?
Because nobody can honestly predict how ground they have not opened will behave. A contractor can explain the cause, the method and the finished result. Promises about how many years a repair will last are sales language rather than a technical assessment.
Is it normal to pay everything upfront?
Paying the full amount before any work starts is a warning sign. Payment terms should be stated clearly on the quote, and it is reasonable to link payments to progress or completion. Always check that the business is properly identified.
What business details should a quote show?
The name of the business or autónomo, an address, a tax identification number and contact details. This lets you know who you are dealing with and is basic good practice for any quote or invoice.
Why might a contractor suggest a diagnosis before quoting?
Because the cause is not always visible from the surface. A small test opening shows whether the base is sound or failing, so the quote matches the real job. It protects you from paying for either too little or too much.
How do I compare quotes from different contractors?
Ask each one the same questions in writing: area lifted including margin, base work, drainage, edges and covers, waste, and what happens if the opening reveals something unexpected. Then compare scope as well as price.
Should waste removal be on the quote?
Yes. Old bedding, failed base and broken blocks are construction waste and must be disposed of properly. The quote should say whether removal is included and how it is handled, so it does not appear as an unexpected extra.
Can I ask you to review another contractor's quote?
You are welcome to tell us what another quote includes when you ask for ours. We will explain where our scope differs and why, without commenting on the other business itself. That usually makes the comparison much clearer.