The Cost of Driveway Replacement

Driveway replacement is a project that most homeowners will have to address at some point. Hiring a professional to head up the project is typically the easiest and most efficient avenue, but if you've got a knack for construction projects, you may be interested in taking on the task yourself. Either way, you should know that driveway replacements are a fairly expensive investment. In this article, we will offer up a few options to help you obtain the results you're after.

Options

There are a variety of options when it comes to driveway replacement. Choosing to add gravel is always going to be the least expensive option, but many people find it undesirable and messy. Many homeowners opt for asphalt and concrete instead. When looking around for contractors, it's going to be in your best interest to obtain several different estimates. This project will cost a few thousand dollars depending on the materials used and the overall size of the drive. Taking the time to shop around for the best contractor will save you money while obtaining the best possible results.

Concrete

This option tends to be a bit more expensive, but can offer many potential benefits over time. To begin, concrete as a material will last much longer than asphalt. Maintenance is lower than asphalt as well. Due to its light color, concrete works to reflect sun from the surface, resulting in a much cooler temperature than asphalt. Unfortunately, this also means that snow will melt much slower during the wintertime on a concrete drive.

Asphalt

This doesn't mean that asphalt doesn't hold its own unique set of advantages. For starters, asphalt drives will be much less expensive to install that concrete ones. Additionally, snow will melt faster on an asphalt drive than concrete due to the fact that is maintains heat much better. These drives will typically last around 8-10 years if properly maintained. Many homeowners actually prefer the look of asphalt to concrete due to its darker color.

Cost

Aside from material types, the cost associated with driveway replacement will depend on the area of the country you reside in. In areas that are more remote, it could potentially be more difficult to transport the necessary supplies to your specific location. As such, contractors may end up charging extra for transportation. Perhaps the largest factor in figuring out how much the project will cost is the actual size of the drive. One that runs 100 ft. by 10 ft. is obviously going to be a bit more expensive than one that runs 40 ft. by 6 ft.

Maintenance

Regardless of the type of materials you use, maintenance will always be required. As such, the maintenance costs should be considered when figuring out the replacement costs of the drive. All drives will weather over time, as the elements will work to break down a drive made of any material type. If you choose asphalt, you will need to reseal it at least once every 3 years.