A Checklist for Choosing Who Paints Your Driveway or Patio
The right contractor for painting outdoor concrete is the one who can explain, specifically and in writing, how they will prepare your surface, which coating they will use and to which data sheet, how many coats, how they will finish the edges and what is excluded. Use the checklist below with every quote you receive, including ours.
Send us a photo and the m²Does the quote explain the preparation?
A good quote describes preparation before it describes paint. Look for specific mentions of each item:
- Pressure washing of the whole area, including joints and edges.
- Repair of cracks, chips, small potholes, open joints and broken edges.
- What happens to any old paint or sealer: kept, cleaned or removed.
- Allowing the surface to dry to within the product's limits before painting.
If preparation is missing or vague, ask. Our guide on preparing concrete before painting explains what each item involves.
Is the coating named by type and data sheet?
You do not need a brand name, but you should know the type of coating, that it is designed for exterior floors and the traffic it will carry, and that the contractor will follow its technical data sheet for conditions, coats and curing.
- Type of coating, for example a synthetic resin floor paint.
- Confirmation that it is rated for exterior use and, for drives, vehicles.
- Number of coats; our standard is two.
- Drying and curing times before feet, furniture and cars, per the data sheet.
Our own system is described on the coloured resin coating page.
How will the edges be finished?
Ask how edges along walls, posts, steps, planters, drains and pool coping will be handled. Brush cut-in, with masking where needed, is the careful answer; rolling right up to a wall and hoping for the best is not.
The photo from the Marbella carport shows a perimeter cut in before the open floor was coated. On patios with many borders, this is a large part of the work, as our patio and terrace painting page explains.
Have grip and safety been considered?
For pool surrounds, steps and slopes, ask what slip resistance the proposed finish has, as stated on its data sheet (to be verified for each product), and whether a textured option exists.
Also ask how the work area will be kept safe for your household, guests and pets, where vehicles will go and how long the surface stays off limits.
Is the contractor honest about what paint cannot do?
A trustworthy contractor tells you when painting is the wrong answer. Sinking slabs, active cracks, persistent damp and failed paving beds need other specialists, and a quote that promises paint will fix them is a warning sign.
Likewise, be cautious of claims you cannot check: unspecified lifespans, vague promises or invented reviews. We describe our process, show our real work on the projects page and refer to the product data sheet for performance.
A useful test is to ask each contractor what they would not do on your surface, and why. Someone who has thought about the limits of the job usually takes more care within them.
Is the paperwork clear?
Before work starts, you should have in writing the areas included and excluded, the colour, the preparation, the number of coats, the dates and the price with IVA stated.
Check the permit position for your town as well. In Málaga city, coating exterior slabs is listed as a minor work usually processed by declaración responsable; for other municipalities the requirement is to be verified with the ayuntamiento before work begins.
Does the communication suit you?
If you live abroad, ask how you will be kept informed: in which language, by which channel and whether you will receive photos during and after the job. Ask who you can contact if something comes up while the work is under way.
We work in English by WhatsApp and email and send photos throughout. For the full picture of how a job runs, see our article on working with us from abroad, and our main services for concrete painting and concrete sealing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important question to ask a contractor?
Ask how they will prepare the surface. Cleaning, repairs, dealing with old coatings and drying decide whether the colour lasts. A contractor who can answer that clearly and specifically for your surface is far more likely to deliver a good result than one who talks only about paint.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Only if it includes the same work as the others. One coat instead of two, no repairs or no removal of failing coatings can make a quote look cheaper while leading to early failure. Compare what is included line by line before comparing totals.
Should a contractor name the paint brand?
The brand matters less than the type of coating and whether it suits exterior floors and your traffic. A contractor should be able to tell you the type, how many coats and which data sheet conditions they will follow. Those answers are more useful than a name.
Is it a red flag if a contractor promises a lifespan?
A specific lifespan with no reference to the product data sheet, the traffic or the exposure is worth questioning. Durability depends on all of those. A careful contractor refers to the data sheet and explains what affects it on your surface.
Should the quote include IVA?
The quote should state clearly whether IVA is included or added, and which rate applies. Our quotes are given with IVA added on top. The applicable rate for renovation work on a home depends on conditions set by Spanish tax rules.
How do I check a contractor's previous work?
Ask for photos of real jobs, ideally showing the before, during and after stages. Photos of preparation, such as crack filling and edge work, tell you more about care than a single glossy after shot. Our projects page shows a real job at each stage.
What should I do if a contractor says paint will fix subsidence?
Be cautious. Paint cannot stabilise a slab that is sinking or moving, and any claim otherwise suggests the contractor either does not understand the problem or is not being straight. Ask for a specialist assessment of the movement first. Only then does recolouring make sense.
Do I need a written contract for a small job?
At least a written quote that sets out the areas, preparation, coats, colour, dates and price, accepted in writing by both sides. It protects both of you and avoids misunderstandings, especially when you are not in Spain during the work.
Who is responsible for the permit?
The owner should confirm the requirement with the ayuntamiento before work begins. In Málaga city, coating exterior slabs is generally a minor work under declaración responsable; elsewhere it is to be verified. A property manager or gestor can often help with the paperwork.
How quickly should a contractor reply to my photos?
There is no standard, but a useful reply should address your surface specifically: whether painting suits it, what preparation it needs and anything that rules it out. A fast generic reply is less valuable than a considered one that answers your actual situation.