How Much Is a New Driveway? 6 Cost Factors to Consider
Most homeowners who do improvement projects on their properties want to improve its curb appeal and boost its value. Whether you’re looking to sell or just want to upgrade your home’s charm, it is a good idea to have your driveway paved as it also provides ease and accessibility to your property.
When you decide to take this significant step, it is important that you understand the different factors that may affect driveway paving costs, and one of the most significant considerations you need to think about is the material to be used.
Asphalt vs. Concrete
For most homeowners, the pavement of their driveways serves as an aesthetic and value booster. However, what many homeowners don’t consider when planning for this kind of project are the materials to be used in the process.
The homeowners’ choices for driveway paving include asphalt, concrete, gravel and brick. As two of the most popular choices in this field, asphalt and concrete have been compared time and again. Since they are very different, it will do you good to have a deeper understanding of how one is better than the other, especially when it comes to the climate in your area.
Asphalt is more famous in places with cooler climates because of its mercury content. When the temperature changes, so does the mercury — expanding under the intense heat of summertime and contracting during winter. It also helps prevent snow buildup in the driveway, especially if the asphalt is darker in color.
On the other hand, concrete is best used in tropical places that see no snowfall since it tends to crack easily under very low temperatures if not treated properly. It is also more difficult to repair since you’ll have to remove the remnants of the damaged pavement if you wish to have a flawless concrete driveway.
However, concrete has one advantage over asphalt: its lifespan. With proper treatment and maintenance, this type of paving can last up to 30 years under a warmer climate, which is a decade longer than asphalt’s 20-year lifespan.
6 Things That Affect Asphalt Driveway Paving Costs
New paved driveways represent a significant investment, so make sure that they are done right. Before hiring a contractor for the job, make sure to do your research about every possible factor that could affect the expenses you may incur.
Some of the most common ones you should consider are:
Material Cost
The cost of paving material — be it asphalt, concrete, gravel or brick — will vary depending on the fair market price, freight fees, and fuel surcharges. These factors aside, gravel is deemed as the cheapest while brick is the most expensive.
However, keep in mind that the calculation of costs doesn’t end with the materials used for driveway paving.
Excavation and Clearing of Obstructions
Dealing with obstructions like rocks, trees, and other growths require extra effort on the part of your contractor. Considering that they have a lot more work to do compared to when the place of construction is clear, it is expected that the driveway price quotes will be a lot higher if your property has many of these things. This is especially true if there are large boulders and age-old trees that may require excavation for safer removal.
Space Measurement
Having the right square footage of the driveway is important to understand just how much you’ll need to spend on the project. Allowing too little or too much space won’t do you any good as the former may create an imbalanced setting and inconvenience while the latter might make vehicle parking and maneuvering uncomfortable.
Permits and Licenses
Paving your driveway requires certain certifications from the government. While it varies depending on where you live, most places require homeowners to apply for a permit before the construction proper can be started. Check the building code for your locality to learn more about this.
Base Coat Quality
Paving generally entails the use of two base coats — one each for the top and bottom of the structure. Aside from the charges on the actual coating process and materials, this factor can also affect the overall cost of having a driveway since it can either extend or shorten its lifespan. Remember that the length of curing the base coat and its quality can make or break the project, so make sure that you get the best driveway paving contractors for the job.
Drainage
Drainage plays a critical role in the durability of your paved driveway. Because it is responsible for keeping moisture away from the property, it is best to plan the project with the sewer lines in mind.
A Final Word
Whether you are looking to have your driveway repaired or constructed from the ground up, proper knowledge about the costs and factors that may affect it can be helpful in extending the life of the structure.
Are you planning to have your driveway paved soon? Contact us at Shattuck Paving for a price quote.