The cost of blacktop?

[scbelleatheart]

I've gotten one estimate to do our drive. Waiting on two more. Does anyone know how to calculate the cost on the basis of square foot? I'm in lower Michigan if that helps.
My 1st estimate was $16,000. I was hoping closer to $10,000. I may have to do it in two sections. Up by the house and detached garage and then the circular drive. DH wants a paved drive but he is out of the country working so it is up to me to decide and hire a company so it's done by the time he returns. It is just killing me to spend that much money.
I am so sick of dealing with contractors.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I don't know how accurate it is but I found an online calculator. I know the price can vary quite a bit based on the amount of prep work that needs to be done

http://www.buildingjournal.com/asphalt-driveway-estimating.html

 

[BeachLove]

Wish I could help you more but just make sure to get multiple quotes. I got 3 for my drive way and they all came in within a hundred or two dollars so I just picked who I felt most comfortable with.

 

[LJSquishy]

I can't help answer your question, but I would try and get 5 quotes rather than 3. We just got our house exterior painted, and 3 of the estimates were at $3,000 , one was at $7,500 and the 5th was at $4,000. The more estimates you get, the better idea you have of what the true "reasonable" cost is. 3 quotes for us wouldn't have been enough info to help us realize what the real cost would be because people were all over the board.

 

[kmacht]

Don't go just by price. You also need to ask each contractor if they guarantee a minimum thickness of the blacktop (3" minimum 4" is better), if it includes putting a compacted gravel base down under it and if so how thick is the base (at least 6" or more), will they remove the current driveway material, does it include curbing, and do they come back and seal it after 6 months. If you know nothing abotu paving I would suggest getting at least 4 to 5 quotes and go with the middle price that gives you the most detailed quote. Ask for references that are at least 1 year old and go look at them. Every paving job looks good right after it is done, it is a year or two out where bad work starts showing up. Above all, make sure everythign I mentioned above is in writing.

Keith

 

[daileyad]

I'm piggybacking on your thread We're going to have to have a small section of asphalt cut out to repair a drainage issue since it is sinking. Our driveway looks so nice right now that I hate the thought of having an obvious repair. What can we do to ensure that it looks the best it possibly can when done?

 

[Ed J]

I paid $2 a sq ft for a 100 x 15 driveway 4 years ago. That was just asphalt not prep, the base was already there. Don't know what prep cost as it was part of other work we had done.

 

[CarlisleMom]

My driveway was done about 1 year ago (think end of June 90 degree heat).

We had a gravel drive that served as a base but it did need compacting and some regrading because of water flow. I got over 400 yards done and it cost around $11,500. My driveway is straight and pretty flat. Hills and curves will effect the price.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Thanks for the heads up. The drive is big stone gravel so I assume they will have to dig it all up to pave. It's a big driveway so I guess $16,000 is reasonable. That is what the 1st 3 estimates were.
Good Lord, I hate spending that much. And he seriously considered having it heated so the snow melts.

But why make me in charge?

 

[CarlisleMom]

I would ask about the gravel. They may be able to use it as part of the base. I can say that it's been almost 1 year and we wish did it sooner. It's so much easier to walk on, DD can ride her bike and skate. DH said the little bit of snow this year was easier to plow. Also, much easier on the car. The amount of dust has lowered dramatically! You will not regret it!

 

[manning]

Thanks for the heads up. The drive is big stone gravel so I assume they will have to dig it all up to pave. It's a big driveway so I guess $16,000 is reasonable. That is what the 1st 3 estimates were.
Good Lord, I hate spending that much. And he seriously considered having it heated so the snow melts.

But why make me in charge?

Wait until you reroof the house $$$$$$$$$