Through the years, asphalt has become the leading paving material because of its affordability and durability. An asphalt driveway generally costs less to install compared to other paving materials. And when properly paved and maintained, it can surely last for decades.
Although asphalt paving is cost-efficient, there are certain factors that can still affect the total installation cost. Needless to say, we want to ensure that our asphalt driveway is of quality; however, finding a balance between quality and budget can be very difficult.
That’s why, in this short overview, you will learn about 3 factors that can make your asphalt driveway cost either drop or soar.
Total Square Footage
When planning to install an asphalt driveway, the size of the entire area to cover is the most important factor to consider. Long and wide driveways require additional base materials, installation time, and asphalt. To top it up, you will also be paying more to your contractors because it will take more time for them to complete the job; hence, the higher the labor fee.
Nevertheless, you can help minimize costs by choosing a more affordable type of asphalt mix. This, however, will probably be less dense than typical mixes. You can also consider availing bulk packages. Oftentimes, manufacturers offer reduced rates for bulk orders.
Quality of the Base
A high quality base guarantees your asphalt driveway’s durability and longevity. However, this also means higher costs. Normally, installment between 8 to 10 inches of gravel is done for drainage purposes. But for better quality, you can opt to choose better materials. Just remember that the rates of the materials increase as the quality does. So the higher the quality of the materials used, the more expensive the asphalt project becomes.
Asphalt Paving Obstructions
Needless to say, the entire area will have to be prepped before the actual installation. This means that the driveway will be thoroughly stripped off any obstructions. In case there are numerous obstructions, more work will then be required to make enough room for the new asphalt paving. In connection to this, extra work will result to extra costs due to additional labor fees and rental costs for additional equipment needed.
