Driveway and patio concrete contractor

Homeowners, landlords and small local builders or landscapers who need groundwork done.

Fixed quote per job covering labour, materials and equipment hire, usually priced per square metre. Materials are often paid for upfront or in stages by the customer.

• Concreting, levelling and finishing
• Measuring and pricing jobs accurately
• Physical fitness and reliability
• Customer communication

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you take on staff or labourers
• Driveway rules: check whether you need planning permission or permeable surfacing (SuDS) for front gardens, and check with the local council about dropped kerbs
• Waste: check what registration is needed for carrying away soil and rubble
• Weather, curing times and poor ground can cause cracking, so agree specifications and guarantees in writing
• Heavy physical work and cement burns; use proper protective kit

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the equipment you buy or hire and the kind of work you take on. Public liability insurance is also worth checking, and employer's liability once you take on staff.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many jobs you win and their size. Estimates are for revenue, not profit, so allow for materials, hire costs and insurance when planning.

Check whether planning permission or permeable surfacing (SuDS) is needed for front gardens, and ask the local council about dropped kerbs. Also check what registration is needed for carrying away soil and rubble, and agree specifications and guarantees in writing.