Repaving a driveway is a major home improvement project, which can add curb appeal, functionality and value to your home. Your driveway may be cracked, uneven or just worn out, in any case, repaving usually is the best solution. But the biggest question that home owners have is, how much will it cost to repave my driveway?
This article will dissect the variables which determine the price of repaving a driveway and give an estimate of how much you can expect to pay to have this work done.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Repaving a Driveway
The total cost of repaving your driveway depends on a number of factors. These aspects are the size of your driveway, the material to be used, the state of the existing driveway and labor. These variables will assist you to know the cost of your project.
Size of the Driveway
One of the largest factors that will determine the cost of repaving is the size of your driveway. The driveways are usually charged at a rate per square foot and hence the bigger the driveway, the higher the cost of repaving it. The typical driveway in a house is about 400 to 600 square feet. The bigger or more complicated your driveway is, the more you are likely to pay.
Standard Driveway (1-2 cars): 400-600 square feet
Larger Driveway (3+ cars): 600-1,200 square feet
Material Selection
The type of material you use to repave your driveway will highly affect the overall cost. Asphalt, concrete, gravel and pavers are the most common materials used in driveways.
Let’s break down the cost for each material:
Asphalt: Asphalt is the most widespread and inexpensive option of driveway repaving. It normally ranges between 3 to 7 dollars per square foot. Asphalt is very long-lasting, comparatively simple to take care of and offers a smooth surface.
Concrete: Concrete driveway is more costly as compared to asphalt, but last longer and have a more refined appearance. Concrete repaving costs about 6 to 10 dollars per square foot. Concrete can also be customized with stamped or colored designs, which will add to the expense.
Gravel: Gravel is the cheapest of them all but it needs frequent maintenance. Gravel driveways cost between 1 and 3 dollars per square foot. Gravel driveways are simple to put in place; however, they move and form potholes with time.
Pavers/Brick: Pavers give a beautiful, customizable, but high-cost option to driveways. Pavers are the most expensive with an average of 10 to 20 dollars per square foot. Nevertheless, they provide a special appearance and can add value to your home.
Condition of the Existing Driveway
The state of the driveway you have now will also contribute to the price of repaving. In case the damage on your driveway is too serious, such as big cracks or deep potholes, the contractor can be forced to strip the existing surface to repave. The cost of removal is usually between 1-3 dollars per square foot.
In case your driveway is in a fairly good condition with some minor damages, you might only be required to resurface the current driveway and this will save you money. Resurfacing costs between $2 to $5 per square foot.
Labor Costs
The cost of labor to repave driveway is normally between 40 to 80 dollars an hour, depending on the contractor and where you are located. The cost of labor can constitute 50% and above. The cost will be determined by the complexity of the job and the duration it will take to do the job. The majority of the driveway repaving jobs take 1 to 3 days.
Additional Work
In certain instances, you might have to include additional services prior to or after the repaving.
Some additional work that may be required includes:
Grading and Excavation: This might be required in case your driveway has some uneven places, so that it can be graded to allow the draining of water and to avoid future damages. Grading may range between 1 to 2 dollars per square foot.
Drainage: Improvements: In case your driveway experiences water pooling, it might be required to improve its drainage. Such upgrades may range between 500 and 2000 dollars depending on the difficulty of the job.
Sealcoating: You may want to seal the surface after repaving, especially when you use asphalt to prevent damage by weather. Sealcoating costs $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot.
Cost Estimates for Different Materials
Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt is a cheap and common way of repaving among the majority of homeowners. An asphalt driveway usually costs between 1,200 and 4,200 dollars on a 400 to 600 square foot surface.
Here’s a breakdown:
Materials: $800 to $2,000
Labor: $400 to $1,200
Additional Work: $200 to $500 (if needed)
Concrete Driveway
Concrete driveways are a more expensive but long-lasting option. A concrete driveway averages between 2,400 and 6,000 dollars covering a 400 to 600 square feet area.
Here’s a breakdown:
Materials: $2,000 to $4,000
Labor: $1,000 to $2,000
Additional Work: $300 to $1,000 (if needed)
Gravel Driveway
Gravel is the cheapest one although it needs regular maintenance. The average price of gravel driveway is between $400-1,800 on a 400 to 600 square foot space.
Here’s a breakdown:
Materials: $200 to $800
Labor: $200 to $1,000
Extra: $100-$300 (grading or drainage)
Pavers/Brick Driveway
Pavers are the costliest, provide a very customizable, high-end appearance. The average cost of a paver driveway is between 4000 and 12000 dollars on a 400 to 600 square feet space.
Here’s a breakdown:
Materials: $3,000 to $9,000
Labor: $1,500 to $3,000
Additional Work: $500 to $1,500 (if needed)