Why we ask for photos of your drive before we quote

When you get in touch, we'll ask for a few photos of your drive. It might seem a small thing, but it's how we give you a fixed price the same day, without anyone needing to visit first.

Which photos to send

1. The whole drive, from the road. Stand at the pavement and get the full drive and the front of the house in shot.
2. A close-up of the surface where you'd like the post, so we can see the material and its condition.
3. Anything nearby that might be relevant: manhole covers, drain gullies, meters, an electric car charger, garden lighting or gate posts.

Send them on WhatsApp, with your postcode.

What we look for

The surface. Block paving, tarmac, resin, concrete or gravel all need slightly different work. Gravel, for example, needs a small concrete pad around the post.

Where the post should go. Close enough to the car that it can't be driven round, but clear of doors and walkways.

How many posts. On a wide drive or a double drive, one post may leave a gap. The photo shows us whether you need two.

Other ways out. If a car could be driven over a lawn, verge or low wall, a post in front of it won't stop that. We'll point it out.

Clues to what's underground. Meters, manholes and gullies tell us where pipes and drains are likely to run. That helps us plan the post position before we even do our utility search.

What happens next

1. We send you a fixed price, usually the same day.
2. If you're happy, a 50% deposit books your fitting date.
3. We run our utility search and plan the job.
4. We fit the post, usually in about two hours.

You have 14 days from agreeing the price to change your mind.

When we'll still visit

Most drives can be priced from photos. Occasionally we'll want to see it first, for example with a steep slope, an unusual surface, three or more posts, or if anything in the photos is unclear. If so, we'll tell you why.

Questions people ask

Does sending photos commit me to anything? No. It just lets us give you an accurate price.

What if the price changes when you arrive? It won't, unless we find something nobody could have known about, like a pipe right where the post should go. Then we'll explain and agree any change with you before doing more, and you can cancel with your deposit refunded.

I don't use WhatsApp. Can I email photos? Yes. Send them to hello@stratfieldprotection.co.uk.

Send us a photo of your drive