How much does a driveway cost ?

They come in all shapes and sizes, but most driveways are constructed using asphalt rather than concrete, mainly because of its durability and cost effectiveness. Whether your driveway winds through beautifully landscaped grounds before delivering your guests to your front door or simply provides a practical parking space next to your home, a well designed and constructed driveway is not only practical but also adds value to your home.

Driveway Costs : Preparation Stage.

Site preparation is really important when constructing a driveway, to avoid any problems in the future. A driveway is only as good as what is underneath it in the long run, so it’s worth getting it done right. Typical ground preparation is basically the same for both an asphalt and concrete driveway.

If we take an example of a normal 600 square foot driveway and assume it has dimensions of 12’X 50’. A typical breakdown of preparation costs might include:

• Work required clearing the land in preparation, removing any small trees and boulders or rocks: $75 per hour.
• Removing any tree stumps completely on average $105 for each one removed.
• Removing any medium-sized trees in the area: Between $22 and $60 per hour.
• Finally clearing the land between $25 and $650. This will normally include using a bulldozer in most cases.
• Grading the area before applying the asphalt or concrete might cost around $150 for the whole 600 square foot area.

Asphalt Driveway Costs.

A 2.5-inch layer of asphalt for the whole area would cost around $2100 or around $4.50-$6 per square foot.

One of the best things about asphalt is that it’s basically maintenance free once it’s laid, if laid properly, and should last up to 30 years without any problems.

Concrete Driveway Costs.

Constructing a concrete driveway basically requires the same level of preparation work before laying the concrete so the costs will be the same as above. Driveway preparation costs will vary depending on the actual site and how much work is involved.

For our example of 600 square feet, a concrete driveway costs around $7,500 to $11,000 or $12-$18 on average per square foot, so it’s more expensive than asphalt.

Is Asphalt Or Concrete Better For A Driveway ?

Asphalt is more cost effective and flexible when it comes to climate. It has the ability to expand and contract. Concrete on the other hand cures, or fully sets, after a month and isn’t really flexible. Extreme changes in climate or excess pressure can cause it to crack.

Asphalt is also easier to patch or repair if necessary. While concrete is more aesthetically pleasing, most people don’t pay a lot of attention to the driveway and consider it a simple extension to the road in front of their home. That’s one reason why asphalt is more popular, as well as obviously being less expensive.

Things To Keep In Mind.

In both cases, an asphalt or concrete company will be more than capable of laying the asphalt/concrete; however it’s best to involve a specialist driveway contractor or engineer to take into account things like drainage and slope. Material and labor costs are normally greater if the driveway includes curves and slopes as the entire project is more labor intensive.

Thinking about driveway construction? Get free estimates from local driveway contractors in your area and get a better idea of driveway costs for your home.

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