Driveway Reference Check Template: Verifying Contractor Quality

Why Every Homeowner Needs a Driveway Reference Check Template

A new driveway is a four-figure investment that should last 20–30 years. Yet every week Drivewayz USA gets calls from homeowners who chose the lowest bid and now face cracking, pooling water, or contractors who vanished mid-job. A simple, repeatable Driveway Reference Check Template protects you from those horror stories in under 30 minutes.

The template below combines the same questions our own quality-control team uses when vetting subcontractor crews. Print it, save it to your phone, or copy it into Google Docs—then use it for every bid you receive.

Free Driveway Reference Check Template (Copy & Paste)

Fill in the blanks during your phone or email conversation. Score each answer 1–5; anything averaging below 3 is a red flag.

Project Basics

1. What type of driveway did the contractor install for you? (concrete, asphalt, pavers, chip seal)
2. Approximate size and final price?
3. Project start and end dates?
4. Were you the homeowner who signed the contract?

Workmanship & Materials

5. Did the crew follow the written specifications (thickness, rebar, base layer)?
6. Any visible cracks, dips, or color changes within the first year?
7. How is the surface drainage after heavy rain?
8. Did they protect adjacent landscaping, garage floor, or neighbor’s property?

Schedule & Communication

9. Did the crew show up on the promised day?
10. How often did the owner or foreman update you?
11. Were change-orders documented and priced in writing?

Clean-Up & Follow-Up

12. Was all debris hauled away and magnet swept for nails?
13. Did the contractor provide a written warranty and explain what’s covered?
14. If you called with a problem, how quickly did they respond?
15. Would you hire them again or refer your closest friend?

Space for Notes

Reference name: ____________________
Phone/email: ____________________
Address of job: ____________________ (ask before driving by)
Overall gut feeling: ____________________

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Template Like a Pro

1. Ask the Contractor for Three References—Specific Ones

Request projects completed 1–3 years ago within five miles of your home. Older jobs show long-term performance; nearby jobs let you drive by.

2. Schedule a 10-Minute Call, Not a Text

Hearing a voice reveals hesitation or enthusiasm you can’t detect in emoji-filled texts. Use the template questions; jot short answers.

3. Drive By Without Knocking First

Look for hairline cracks, wavy edges, and puddle spots. If the driveway still looks great, knock on the door and ask for the homeowner’s candid opinion.

4. Verify Online Footprints

Cross-check the reference’s address on Google Street View to confirm the project date. Then scroll the contractor’s Facebook or Instagram page for photos of that specific job.

5. Score and Compare

Total the 1–5 scores for each reference. Drop any contractor whose average is below 3.5 or who refuses to give three names.

Red Flags That Override Any Good Reference

• Only gives commercial references. Residential driveways require different prep and curing practices.
• References all live more than 30 minutes away. Out-of-town homeowners rarely inspect the job again after completion.
• All three references are blood relatives. Ask for surnames and cross-check on social media.
• Won’t share supplier or sub-contractor names. Reputable contractors happily connect you with their concrete or asphalt plant.

5 Bonus Questions for High-End or Heated Driveway Projects

1. Did they install control joints exactly where the plan specified?
2. For heated systems: any boiler error codes or cold spots in year one?
3. Did they coordinate with the electrician for proper amperage?
4. How much did your power bill increase each winter month?
5. Any staining or spalling where snowmelt chemicals were used?

Digital Tools That Speed Up Reference Checks

Google Earth Timeline

Slide the timeline back to the project month. Compare before vs. after imagery to confirm a full tear-out versus a cheap overlay.

Nextdoor & Neighborhood Facebook Groups

Post: “Anyone on Maple Street used ABC Driveways in 2021?” Crowd-sourced feedback often surfaces names the contractor didn’t provide.

County Permit Portal

Enter the reference address. If no driveway permit shows up, the work may have been done without inspections—another red flag.

Sample Phone & Email Scripts

Cold-Call Opening Line

“Hi, I’m Ali, a neighbor on Elm. ABC Driveways gave me your name as a reference for a driveway they did in 2022. Do you have ten minutes to share how it went?”

Email Template

Subject: Quick 5-minute reference check—ABC Driveways
Hi [Name],
I’m comparing driveway contractors and ABC listed you as a reference. Could you reply with a quick yes/no on the three questions below? I appreciate your time.
1. Would you hire them again?
2. Any cracks or drainage issues?
3. Did they finish on the promised date?
Thanks!
—[Your Name, Street]

Final Pre-Contract Checklist

• ☐ Three references scored 4+ average
• ☐ Drove by at least one job and liked the look
• ☐ Verified active liability & workers-comp insurance
• ☐ Received written warranty (minimum 2 years for asphalt, 5 for concrete)
• ☐ Checked county clerk for mechanics-lien filings against the contractor

FAQ: Driveway Reference Check Template