Frequently Asked Questions

National cost guides put standard asphalt driveways at roughly $5 to $12 or more per square foot, which is about $2,000 to $4,800 for 400 square feet and $5,000 to $12,000 for 1,000 square feet. Clay excavation, extra base and tear-out add to that. Your written quote after a site visit is the price.

Clay ground holds water, the water freezes and lifts the pavement, and the thaw leaves the base soft. Thin asphalt on a thin base cannot survive that for long. A deeper stone base, good drainage and sealed cracks are what make the difference.

Usually, yes. If the existing gravel is clean and deep enough, it can be regraded, topped up and compacted as the base. If it has mixed with clay over the years, the top layer may need to come out first.

Roughly May through October, once frost is out and the base has dried. Asphalt needs warm ground to compact properly, so we schedule by conditions, not the calendar.

Work in the city right-of-way, such as an apron or curb cut, needs a city permit, and contractors excavating there must be licensed. Paving that stays on your property is generally simpler. We confirm the current requirements for your address.

Industry cost guides estimate 15 to 30 years for an asphalt driveway. On clay soils, a deep base, good drainage, a sealcoat every few years and crack filling before winter push it toward the long end.

Cost guides describe 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel under a typical residential driveway. On wet clay we often go deeper and may add fabric underneath. The exact depth goes on your quote after we look at the ground.

Usually two to four days in total: removal and base work, paving, and a short wait before driving on it. Rain can push the schedule, and we will not pave on a wet base.

Often, yes. Widening at the street may involve the city right-of-way and a permit, so we check that before quoting.

Both are used. Asphalt flexes with frost, installs quickly and costs less up front, but needs sealing every few years. Concrete lasts long but can crack and heave at joints on clay. We install asphalt and will give you a straight answer on whether it suits your site.

It depends on depth and condition. Clean, deep stone that only needs regrading and topping up can save a noticeable share of base cost. Stone mixed with clay usually has to be removed. We show you the difference in the quote.

Not if drainage is planned. Blacktop sheds more water than gravel, so we direct runoff to shoulders, swales or ditches rather than letting it run toward buildings.

Yes. Many owners pave the section near the house first and the rest later. We taper and support the transition so gravel does not get pushed under the asphalt edge.

Cost guides suggest 3 to 4 inches of asphalt over 8 to 10 inches of base for heavier vehicles. We size it to what will use the drive.

Every two to four years suits most driveways. HomeGuide's wider range is 2 to 10 years depending on sealer and climate. Reseal when the color has faded and stones are showing.

Early fall can work on dry, mild days, but cool nights slow curing. Late spring and summer are more reliable. In late fall, crack filling is the better use of a dry day.

Usually 12 to 72 hours, depending on temperature, humidity and shade. Walking is fine after a few hours.

No. Sealer is thin and sinks into cracks. They are cleaned and filled first, then sealed over.

Water gets in through cracks, freezes, lifts the pavement and leaves the clay soft when it thaws. Sealing cracks before winter and fixing where water collects reduce spring damage.

New asphalt is darker at first. Sealcoating the whole surface after patches cure evens out the look.

Only temporarily with cold patch. Permanent hot-mix repairs wait for thawed, dry ground.

When failures cover a large part of the surface or keep multiplying. Then an overlay or replacement costs less over time.

HomeAdvisor puts the usual repaving interval for a parking lot at 15 to 20 years. Crack filling and sealcoating every few years help stretch that.

Yes. We work in phases, keep at least one entrance open and can schedule nights or weekends.

If the base is firm and drains, mill and overlay. If large areas are rutted or alligator-cracked, those need full-depth reconstruction. Many lots get a mix.

Yes. Striping is a separate service and is scheduled once the asphalt is ready.

HomeGuide puts restriping life at 2 to 5 years. Plows and salt shorten it, and any sealcoat requires restriping.

Restriping is an alteration under the 2010 ADA Standards, so the new layout must meet current requirements. We check your count first.

Once the sealer has cured, usually within a day or two in good weather.

Often. A new layout with efficient angles and widths can sometimes gain spaces. We sketch options before painting.