What Drives Driveway Paving Cost in NJ and PA
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association says driveway design starts from site conditions: the subgrade soil, drainage, utilities and the loads the driveway will carry. The National Asphalt Pavement Association says a written estimate should state the pavement thickness, site preparation, drainage, payment schedule and warranty, and that neighbors paving at the same time can often negotiate a better price.
Site conditions come first
The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association's driveway brief, published through the Asphalt Institute, says to look at the actual site before giving advice: the subgrade soil type, drainage, utilities and the loads the driveway will carry. It says the subgrade should be graded smooth, cleared of organic material, and weak spots undercut and replaced, and that a base of 6 to 8 inches of crushed aggregate is usually adequate. How much of that work a lot needs is what differs from one driveway to the next.
New construction and fill
The same brief notes that backfill and fill areas around new homes are prone to settlement, and that in some cases it is wise to wait a few months before installing the driveway.
What a written estimate should include
The National Asphalt Pavement Association recommends getting estimates in writing, and says a professional contract should include the thickness of the pavement, responsibilities for site preparation and drainage, the payment schedule and a clear warranty. The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association adds dates, dimensions, material types and thicknesses, utility provisions, permits and extra work to that list, and notes the lowest quote may not be the best one.
Ways homeowners save, and one to avoid
NAPA says that if neighbors need work at the same time, they can often negotiate a better price when the contractor can do several jobs in one trip. It also warns about a common scam: a contractor knocking on the door with leftover asphalt from a nearby job. NAPA says leftover asphalt is almost always too cool to make a durable driveway, and that reputable companies give a written estimate and time to check references.
Keep reading
Sources
- Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association (via the Asphalt Institute), “Best Practices” for the Use of Asphalt Driveways, Technical Brief
- National Asphalt Pavement Association, Hiring an Asphalt Contractor for Driveways
Frequently Asked Questions
The National Asphalt Pavement Association says it should include the pavement thickness, site preparation and drainage responsibilities, the payment schedule and a clear warranty.
The National Asphalt Pavement Association says neighbors who need work at the same time can often negotiate a better price if the contractor can complete multiple jobs in one trip.
NAPA warns it is a common scam: leftover asphalt is almost always too cool to create a durable driveway.