What Does Driveway Paving Cost?
Everybody always wants to know “how much is paving a driveway?” or “what does it cost to pave my parking lot?” If you’re considering paving or repaving your driveway in Hershey, you’ve likely already heard horror stories about how expensive this or that project can be, or about the aftermath of dealing with a fly-by-night contractor whose corner-cutting turns your driveway into a cracked, uneven money pit.
Thankfully, the process of pricing out how much does it cost to pave your driveway doesn’t need to be difficult – by choosing the type of work that you want and can afford and then carefully choosing a contractor, you can ensure that your driveway project comes in on budget and maintenance-free for years to come. So if you are looking to get a ballpark estimate on how much it will cost to pave the driveway or parking we can help give you a good idea here. 1st of all please note that asphalt is substantially cheaper than concrete. Asphalt driveway paving in York PA is close to 1/3 of the cost of concrete.
Prices For Paving
If you’re asking yourself, “how much to repave a driveway or pave a driveway? Resurfacing an existing driveway is the most economical of the three. A full rip out and replace sits in the middle. A complete build over bare ground is the most involved and the longest lasting, up to 20 years. The first decision to be made is what type of material to use. Asphalt is typically only a third of the cost of the concrete paving cost when installed by professional asphalt driveway contractors, and can last for a very long time if the stone base beneath it is properly laid.
The 2 methods to calculator labor costs
There are two ways that this can be done. Both require the removal of any existing paving driveways material as well as the base material beneath it. The most economical way begins with a stone base followed by three inches of an asphalt surface material called ID2. For a more durable (albeit more expensive) paved surface, we can install a deep six-inch stone base followed by a two-inch layer of binder material and then one and a half inches of ID2 surface material.
Which of the three is right for a given driveway depends on what is under it, and that is what the measurement is for.
That should clear up any questions about the cost to pave the driveway per square foot. Just know that if you are working with a contractor, they’re going to price strictly off of the square foot. With that being said, it is worth getting the driveway measured and quoted early, so there aren’t any surprises when reaching out to a paving company.
There Are 3 Or 4 Styles Of Paving:
There are 3 popular styles of paving. They consist of either ripping out old pavement and hauling away, resurfacing existing, or just ripping out the old pavement or grass.
1 – Rip Out The Old Pavement or Grass – Smooth Surface We would install 6 inches of stone 2 inches of the binder, which is a binder course and 1 1/2 inch of the smooth stuff which is called the ID2 top. This is the most involved of the three and the one that lasts longest.
2 – Ripping Out Old Pavement and Hauling Away Installing a stone base the 3 inches of the ID2 top. This sits in the middle of the three
3 – Resurfacing Existing Basically, we would cut out in front of your garage. Then add 2 inches on top of your entire driveway. Then as we meet your garage we would use the cut out to bring it to level with your garage. This is the most economical of the three.
Paved Surface Materials
On the extremely economical end of things, or if the driveway’s looks are secondary to its functionality. There are less expensive options for keeping your wheels out of the mud. While gorgeous, clean white rock laid over the top of the railroad ballast has a certain rustic charm. It’s not much cheaper than asphalt. If you’re not picky about the look of your economy driveway, however. It is possible to lay down grated asphalt for a fraction of the cost.
Truckloads of this material can be had for the cost of transporting it, or even free if you’re willing to haggle – when old asphalt is removed from a paved area by our contractors, the old material serves as an excellent aggregate material for producing a hard (if not entirely smooth) surface for your vehicle to drive or park on. Keep an eye out for parking lot renovations and try your luck; it could save you thousands.
How Much Does Driveway Paving Cost By Square Foot?
Asphalt work is quoted by the square foot, so the honest answer is that it depends on what those square feet need. What moves it: the condition of whatever is there now, whether the old surface has to come out and be hauled away, how thick the new surface has to be laid for the traffic it will carry, how reachable the driveway is for a truck and a roller, and whether the water has somewhere to go once the job is done.
That is why we measure before quoting rather than after. A driveway that looks the same size as the one next door can be a different job entirely once you see what is underneath it. Asphalt remains a great option for residents in Harrisburg and York.
When to resurface your driveway or tear it out and start over?
If there are a lot of cracks or it is rutted out or there are dips in the driveway. That means the base is bad. We will then need to rip it out and install a new stone base to give a solid starting point. If there are a lot of cracks or it is rutted out or there are dips in the driveway. Certain type of driveways require a specific driveway installer.
Which Material Should I Use?
An asphalt driveway will last considerably without requiring significant maintenance. It can very easily be repaired or resurfaced. It is important to remember that concrete does not bond to itself once cured; only asphalt can be repaired without removing the old material to install the new. As any local driveway contractors will tell you, you can get the most bang for your buck out of residential asphalt paving if you’re not ready to invest in installing concrete pavement.
On the cheap end of things, gravel paving may save you money and aggravation in the short term. It will add cost to the installation of a more permanent material afterward as it will need to be removed and hauled away before the asphalt or concrete can be installed.
Paving Cost Calculations
If you want a rough idea of the area before you call anyone, measure the length and the width of the driveway and multiply the two. That is the number any contractor starts from, and having it to hand makes the first conversation a much shorter one. It is no substitute for an estimate from a professional, because the area is only one of the things that sets the price.
Here are some additional add-ons to consider:
Berms around the edges – 4-6 inch berms are mainly for cosmetic reasons, sometimes to help channel water runoff. Of to put around flower beds. That is a small addition to the job.
We can also add storm drains if necessary, although this is normally in a commercial application.
If the pavement slopes toward the garage we will install a French drain. Or in some townships or boroughs. They may require you to control the water runoff your property generates. And you may need to install a French drain before your pavement meets the road.
A French drain in front of a two-car garage is a job in itself, and it includes the rip out with the drain installed, the whole nine yards. The asphalt would be level with the drain and there will not be a bump.
Basketball Court or Tennis Court – We would rip it all out, install stone and pave.
We pave inside pole barns. Instead of doing concrete floors, we do asphalt floors. Then we try to get our machines in the barn. When we can not we will do the job by hand. We have special hand tools to allow us to do the job.
How it can improve your curb appeal
Here’s something interesting we’ve noticed over our years doing this work – a fresh driveway makes everything else look better. Seriously. We’ll finish a job and the homeowner will suddenly start talking about painting their front door or fixing their mailbox. It’s like a domino effect.
Your driveway’s basically the red carpet to your house. When it’s cracked and full of weeds, people notice before they even get to your front door. But when it’s smooth and clean? Suddenly your whole property looks like you’ve got your act together.
The best part? Unlike a kitchen remodel that takes months and turns your life upside down, we can usually get your driveway done in a day or two. Then you get to enjoy that “new driveway” feeling every single time you come home.
What to keep in mind?
Most homes have a driveway. If you are moving into a new house or you are tired of driving on sand or gravel driveway at your current home, you c
What to keep in mind?
Most homes have a driveway. If you are moving into a new house or you are tired of driving on sand or gravel driveway at your current home, you can decide to pave it. At this point, you will want to know how much does it cost to pave a driveway.
In most cases the price is based on square footage. It differs on a good many things, such as the material used, the size of the driveway, and the labor involved.
Materials
When choosing a material, weigh what it takes to put down against what it takes to keep. Some are cheaper to install and dearer to maintain, and some are the other way round. Asphalt sits in a useful middle: quick to lay, quick to use, and it wants resealing every few years rather than constant attention.
Land Levelling
Land on a new build has to be leveled and graded before any surface goes down. Clearing the vegetation and getting the leveling equipment on site is the first part of the job, and on a steep or wooded lot it can be a good share of it.
Size
After the material, the biggest factor is the size of the driveway, meaning its width and its length. Most houses have a driveway wide enough for one car and plenty have one wide enough for two. Other things that affect the job include:
- The shape of the driveway
- Layout
- Design specifications, for example more than one color or more than one material.
Yes there are variables
Every driveway job is different – that’s just the reality of this business. Your neighbor might have gotten theirs done for one price, but your driveway might have drainage issues, or maybe there’s old concrete underneath that needs to come out first.
That’s why we always come out and take a look before giving you a number. No point in guessing over the phone when we can give you a real answer in person. Give us a call and we’ll set up a time to swing by – no charge for the estimate, and no pressure to sign anything on the spot.
Driveway Paving Prices FAQ
The cost for asphalt paving varies with the project. It is quoted by the square foot, and what sets it is the condition of the existing surface, how thick the new one has to be laid, and how reachable the driveway is. We measure before quoting, at no charge.
In most cases asphalt driveways are considerably cheaper to install than the concrete alternatives, and they can be driven on much sooner after the work is finished.
Yes, a paved driveway can add value to your home. A brand new asphalt driveway can last 20-25 years. This method can ultimately help sell a home faster.
Gravel driveway are the cheapest and fastest option when it comes to paving. How much does a driveway cost?
Which is cheaper concrete or asphalt driveway?
Does a paved driveway add value?
What is the cheapest type of driveway?
