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How to Choose a Paving Contractor in Melbourne

By Antonio PrimeScape  |  April 2026

Finding a reliable paving contractor in Melbourne is harder than it should be. There are a lot of operators who quote cheaply, do poor work, and are hard to contact once the job's done. Here's what to check before handing over a deposit.

1. Check Their ABN

Any legitimate business has an Australian Business Number. Check it at abn.business.gov.au — takes 30 seconds. A contractor who can't provide their ABN is operating cash-only and has no business accountability.

2. Ask for a Written Quote

Never accept a verbal quote or a quote given over the phone without a site visit. A legitimate contractor provides a written quote itemising: what's included (demolition? base preparation? materials?), the timeline, and the total price. If someone gives you a number without seeing the job, it's not a quote — it's a guess.

3. Verify Insurance

Ask for their public liability insurance certificate of currency. Any reputable contractor carries at least $5M, ideally $20M. If they balk at this request, walk away.

4. Check Their Google Reviews

Look for: volume (10+ reviews), recency (recent jobs, not just old ones), specificity (reviews that describe actual work done), and responses (does the contractor respond professionally to reviews?). Be sceptical of businesses with only 5-star reviews and no text — these can be fabricated.

5. Ask About Base Preparation

This is the single biggest differentiator between quality paving and cheap paving. Ask: "How deep will the base be?" and "What compaction equipment do you use?" Quality paving driveways need 100–150mm of compacted road base. If they don't give you a clear answer, they're probably cutting corners.

6. Red Flags to Avoid

• ❌ Quotes significantly lower than others (they're cutting corners somewhere)
• ❌ Cash-only with no invoice
• ❌ Requests large upfront deposit before work starts
• ❌ No fixed address or business registered address
• ❌ Can't show photos of completed work
• ❌ Pressure to sign immediately

7. Owner-Operated vs Large Companies

Owner-operated businesses (like ours) are often more accountable than large companies that subcontract work. When the owner is on site, quality is higher. Ask: "Will you be personally on site for my job?"

8. Get 2–3 Quotes

Get at least 2 quotes, ideally 3. Compare them on a like-for-like basis — make sure each quote includes the same scope of work. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value when you consider what might be left out.