Ascertain whether the person you are dealing with is the Contractor. Some companies use professional sales people to 'sell' their roofing services, usually on a commission basis. Other companies don't actually do the work themselves, but sub-contract to other gangs. Most firms undertake a brief survey of the job, checking access, quantities, layout, etc., before submitting a price. Some firms will give you a price 'on the spot', whilst others will send you a price through the post, once they've done all the calculations.

It is best to ensure that each contractor is quoting for the same work. Draw up a specification, and ask each firm to tender for the works on the basis of that specification, and to make separate costs for any optional or extra items they consider might be required, such as extra drainage gullies or decorative curbs. You can find written specifications for the most common types of paving and drainage on the Specifications page.

Ask each contractor to supply you with a minimum of 3 addresses where they have installed the same, or very similar, paving to your chosen type. You should view their actual work rather than look at photographs that may or may not be their own work, and preferably speak to their previous clients. After all, if you were spending $3,000 or $5,000 on a car, you would want to take it for a test run before committing yourself...so spend a Sunday driving around and moseying at other drives and make sure you are happy with the contractors and the paving type you have selected. It is far better to choose your paving type from real life examples rather than from dog-eared photos or professional advertising shots.