Gravel driveways are a common selection among homeowners who want to have a long-lasting, inexpensive, and easy-to-maintain driveway on their property. They are very good at draining, they give a rustic touch to your house and they can be installed comparatively fast. Nonetheless, as with any home renovation project, it is good to understand the cost of graveling your driveway. The overall price may change depending on various factors such as the size of the driveway, the kind of gravel you use and the complexity of the installation. In this article we shall deconstruct the expenses involved in graveling a driveway.
Things that Influence the Price of Graveling a Driveway
The price of graveling your driveway is determined by some important factors. So, what are these factors? Let us examine them.
Driveway Size
One of the most crucial elements that determine the overall cost is the size of your driveway. The bigger the driveway the more gravel will be needed which will make the project more expensive.
Small Driveway (50-100 square feet): A small driveway would run around 200-500 dollars to gravel.
Medium Driveway (100-500 square feet): In case of a medium-sized driveway, you will have to pay approximately between 500 and 2000 dollars.
Big Driveway (500-1,000 square feet): The price of a bigger driveway may vary between 1,500 dollars and 4,000 dollars and more, depending on the size and the scope of the work.
Gravel Type
Gravel also comes in various types and the type you will choose will determine the price.
The most widespread kinds of gravel as driveway ones are:
Pea Gravel: These are small, round stones which are very easy to walk on and they also have good drainage. The pea gravel will range between 25-50 dollars per ton.
Crushed Stone: These are crushed rocks which are angular and fit together to create a firm surface. One of the most popular choices is crushed stone and it is priced at about 30-60 dollars a ton.
Limestone Gravel: A tough type of gravel which is widely used in driveways. Limestone is commonly utilized because of its clean look and it costs between 40 and 70 dollars per ton.
River Rock: Bigger and rounder rocks that will give a more decorative surface. River rock will be priced at 50-100 dollars per ton.
Recycled Asphalt: In case you want something that is more nature-friendly, recycled asphalt will be an economical alternative. Its price ranges between 15 to 25 dollars per ton.
Gravel Depth
The cost is also dependent on the depth of the gravel layer. Driveways which have a lot of traffic or severe weather conditions require a thicker layer of gravel.
Shallow Gravel Layer (2-3 inches): This is generally adequate in light traffic applications and is the most popular one. It will be cheaper since little gravel will be utilized.
Deeper Gravel Layer (4-6 inches): In case your driveway is subject to high traffic or severe weather conditions, then a thicker layer of gravel is required. This will make the project more expensive.
Labor Costs
The cost of labor to gravel a driveway may differ due to the location, the magnitude of the work, and the difficulty of the task. You should be able to pay an average of between 30 to 50 dollars an hour on labor.
Site Preparation
The preparation of the site is a necessary procedure to make sure that the gravel settles well and gives a flat surface. This step can include grading the ground, the existing pavement removal, and the installation of a base layer to enhance the drainage. The cost of site preparation may add to the total cost of your driveway should yours be a site that needs a lot of preparation.
Simple Site Preparation: In case the grading is not intensive, the cost will be comparatively cheap, usually between 500 and 1,000 dollars.
Large Site Preparation: In case you require removal of old asphalt or concrete, land grading or laying a base layer, you can expect higher costs. More substantial site preparation is likely to cost between 1,000 to 3,000 dollars.
Additional Costs
It has a few other possible expenses that may influence the overall price of graveling your driveway:
Gravel Delivery Costs: You will probably be charged on delivery costs in case you require a lot of gravel. The cost of delivery may vary between 50-150 dollars based on the distance between the supplier and your place.
Edge Restraints: This can increase the costs by adding edging or some form of border to hold the gravel in place. It may cost between 300 dollars and 800 dollars depending on the materials that will be used (e.g. plastic, metal or stone).
Drainage Systems: If your property has drainage problems, a French drain or other drainage systems could be required to keep the gravel on the property and not be washed away. Installation of drainage may be as much as 2500 dollars.
Breakdown of the Average Cost
Following the above factors, the following is a typical breakdown of costs in graveling a typical driveway:
Small Driveway (50-100 square feet): 200 – 500 dollars (materials only).
Medium Driveway (100-500 square feet): 500 – 2,500 (materials and installation).
Big Driveway (500-1,000 square feet): 1500 – 4000 (materials and installation).
Gravel Cost per Ton: 25-70 dollars depending on the kind of gravel selected.
Labor Cost: Professional installation costs 30 -50 dollars per hour.
Site Preparation Costs: 500 – 3000 based on complexity of work involved.
Gravel Delivery Charges: 50 – 150 dollars based on the distance.
Edging: 300 – 800 dollars depending on materials used.