Two types of driveway quoted

[Snarf]

Hi,

We've had 2 quotes for a driveway, which is about 18m^2. One is to concrete the driveway area, tack coat the concrete, then lay tarmac on top for around £1200, the other is to lay 100mm of type 1 scalpings on a heavy duty membrane, lay 40mm of 20mm base coat tarmac, then lay 20mm of 8mm top coat tarmac for around £1400.

The driveway was already done badly in the first place, so is being ripped up and excavated (I think the ground base is somewhat clay). The question is, not knowing anything about driveways, do both of these solutions sound sensible and if so, does the second solution justify the extra cost?

[Dave_L]

Laying tarmac on top of concrete is not reccomended - any contractor that suggests this should be given a wide berth.

100mm of scalpings is not enough/suitable for a driveway, nor is 40mm of binder and the same for 20mm of 8mm surface course! (Can't say I have ever heard of 8mm SC though!)

All the info you'll need for a proper spec residential driveway can be found on the main site!

[Tony McC]

Laying blacktop over concrete is only ever done when there is no other option. It sounds like the sort of spec you get from those "driveway contractors" that have to use a concrete base beneath all their paving because they don't have the requisite skills to construct a sub-base that doesn't sink.

Quote nr 2 for me, please.

[Snarf]

Thanks for the replies. The guy we spoke to second did seem a bit more thorough, and based on my research on here, more sensible. The other guys basically said that because the ground was soft, it needed concrete as a solid base.

The 2nd guy actually said 30mm of surface course not 20 and maybe he meant 6mm instead of 8mm (who knows?).

I see the guidelines are for at least 100mm Type 1, then 50mm of 20mm base and 25mm of 6mm surface - so quote number 2 definitely seems like the more sensible option - cheers guys!

[Dave_L]

30mm of 6mm SC after 50mm of 20mm binder will be just the ticket!