How much does it cost to pave a driveway?
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According to HomeAdvisor, a homeowner should expect to pay an average of $ 4,420 for a new driveway. Site users said its cost ranged from $ 2,379 to $ 6,471.
That’s roughly the equivalent of $ 2 to $ 15 per square foot for both materials and installation.
The biggest price variable is the material you use. Depending on whether you choose asphalt or concrete – two of the most common options – your cost per square foot can range from $ 1 to $ 50.
However, other important factors include the dimensions of your driveway, the condition of the property, and whether there is already a driveway in the space you plan to use.
Costs for the asphalt driveway
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On average, paving an asphalt driveway costs about $ 4,716. Homeowners said they paid $ 2,929 to $ 6,554 for this project.
Most asphalt manufacturers sell their material by the ton. A ton, which costs an average of $ 100 to $ 200, should cover about 40 to 80 square feet. How much you need also depends on how many inches of asphalt you need.
If you look at 2 inches thick, which is usually enough for a residential driveway, you should be able to cover 80 square feet per ton.
The average asphalt driveway requires 7.5 to 15 tons of asphalt.
Asphalt paving cost per square foot
The average cost of a new asphalt driveway is $ 7 to $ 13 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor.
How do contractors come up with these numbers? Materials average $ 2-6 and labor costs are $ 5-7.
Pavement costs for concrete driveway
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The average cost to install a concrete driveway is just over $ 3,000. Homeowners said they paid $ 1,800-6,000.
Concrete paving cost per square foot
On average, you pay $ 6 per square foot to pour a concrete driveway.
This price can vary from $ 4 to $ 15 per square foot based on location, size, and decorative items chosen. If your contractor needs to install reinforcements or remove the existing surface, the costs increase.
The biggest factor here, however, is the type of concrete chosen.
Standard, the simplest type, costs an average of $ 4 to $ 7 per square foot. The next level is spotty and can range from $ 6 to $ 12. After all, punched concrete costs most of the three, between $ 8 and $ 15.
What is the difference between the concrete types?
If your contractor is pouring concrete for your driveway, stain can be added to the mix while it is still wet. In this way, the color of the concrete can be matched to the exterior or decorative accents of your house.
Concrete can also be stamped. This adds pattern or texture; You can make concrete look like inlaid stone, tile, or even marble.
These upgrades explain the price differences.
Which is better: asphalt or concrete?
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Many homeowners prefer tarmac driveways because the material can withstand extreme temperatures better than concrete. And a simple re-sealing every three to five years keeps the surface fresh for a long time.
Cost is another factor. This will depend on the quality of the materials you choose as the cost of concrete paving can vary widely, averaging between $ 4 and $ 15 per square foot.
Choose pickled or stamped concrete, which can easily make concrete the more expensive option.
However, when you think about cost, you should also consider the lifespan of your new driveway. Asphalt typically lasts 15 to 20 years, while concrete lasts twice as long.
While you may pay more for concrete, you probably won’t need to replace it for a long time.
Regardless of which material you choose, a new driveway will improve the attractiveness and resale value of your home. If you are planning on selling your home soon, this is a great way to get the price up.
What about cobblestones?
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Paving stones are an alternative to asphalt and concrete. They can look structured and interesting, but they are also more expensive. The average price to install driveway pavers ranges from $ 3,000 to $ 30,000. That’s an average of $ 10 to $ 50 per square foot.
Why do paving stones cost so much compared to asphalt and concrete? First, these materials tend to cost a little more. Second, the installation can take longer as the paving stones have to be laid one by one.
The additional cost may also not end after you install it. You will likely need to replace the paving slabs if they crack, shift, or break over time.
The appeal of pavers, however, is that they offer a variety of textures and colors that homeowners can use to create more custom driveways.
You can also opt for the unique look of grass paving stones. This fun style involves laying interlocking plastic or concrete paving stones with space for soil, seeds, and drainage.
A driveway built with grass pavers can range from $ 3,000 to $ 9,000 or from $ 10 to $ 15 per square foot. Note, however, that the interesting effect comes with some maintenance: you have to water and trim them once a week during the summer, as you do with your lawn.
Should you install a new driveway or repair your old one?
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Removing an existing driveway adds to the cost of a project. In general, taking out the old one will cost you around $ 1 to 2 per square foot.
Before your road construction company can install a new driveway, employees must:
- Break up the old stuff.
- Get it away
- Do a minor grading of the area.
If you’ve asked your contractor to make changes to the shape or location of the driveway, it can add to the cost too.
If your driveway needs more than minor repairs but you don’t want to completely replace it, you can consider repairing it instead. Depending on the materials used, this can cost anywhere from $ 1 to $ 20 per square foot.
Your contractor will remove the damaged top layer of the driveway and replace it with fresh asphalt or concrete.
Similarly, you could go for an asphalt overlay. Sometimes referred to as a “top coat,” this costs about $ 3 to $ 7 per square foot. Your contractor will apply a thin layer to your existing driveway surface.
After about six months, the contractor will have to come back to apply a sealant, which costs about $ 500 to protect your asphalt and minimize cracking or displacement.
However, this method still generally costs less than replacing an existing driveway entirely.
Prepare for additional costs or fraud
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The three main costs of installing a new driveway are materials, labor, and maintenance.
However, if your home is over 50 years old and your driveway does not meet current building codes, you may have to pay the cost of removing your existing driveway base. Other issues that can make your project more expensive include installing it on a slope in an unusual shape, or dealing with landscaping or drainage issues.
Homeowners should also beware of fraud. In a common scenario, a fake sales rep offers to fix your asphalt driveway. Instead of continuing the project, the scammer takes your money and disappears.
In another scam, a salesperson claims they have scraps of material from another job that you can buy at a discounted price. Professional contractors usually know exactly how much material they need and rarely buy more than a job requires.
To avoid falling victim to fraud, avoid contractors who insist on getting paid in cash, pressurize yourself to make a quick decision, or refuse to give you a written estimate for the work.
If you are approached by a contractor without being asked, be sure to ask for their login information and / or recommendations.
In general, if you are looking to hire a professional contractor, always check online to see what previous clients have to say about their work or how they rate through the Better Business Bureau.
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