Two quotes for the same driveway can be hundreds or thousands of dollars apart, and the cheaper one is not always the cheaper job. The difference is usually in what each quote includes. Here is how to compare them properly.
The checklist
Area and thickness. Both quotes should state the square metres and the slab thickness. A quote that assumes a thinner slab for a vehicle driveway is cheaper for a reason.
Site preparation. Does the price include excavation, removing the old surface, a compacted crushed rock base, and formwork? Preparation is where cut corners show up later as cracking and sinking.
Concrete and finish. The mix, the finish (plain, coloured, exposed aggregate), and any control joints should be named. "Concrete driveway" with no detail is not a quote you can compare.
Drainage and fall. Ask how water is handled. Grates, channels and the direction of the fall should be part of the plan.
Clean-up and curing. Who removes the spoil and the formwork, and is sealing included if the finish needs it? Ask about curing time before you park on it.
Timing and payment. When can they start, how long does the job take, and what are the payment terms? A deposit with progress payments is normal. Large cash payments upfront are not.
Insurance and registration
Before the work starts, ask the concreter for their insurance details and any registration, in writing. A professional will not hesitate. Concreters for Hire Victoria connects you with concreters from the community, and those checks sit between you and the concreter you hire.
The easiest comparison
Get both quotes in writing with the same items listed, then line them up. If you would like more than one quote for your job, say so when you send it through and Steven can put it in front of more than one concreter from the community.