What to Expect for Asphalt Driveway Installation Cost?

Asphalt driveways are popular for a good reason. Asphalt is quick to lay, provides a smooth, consistent appearance, and is affordable. An asphalt driveway will serve you for longer with proper installation, requiring less maintenance. Asphalt and tarmac are used interchangeably; however, they are different. Asphalt is formed using crushed gravel and bitumen, whereas tarmac is made from natural tar.

The Cost Will Include the Following Factors:

• The surface material is not only the deciding factor for the new driveway installation cost, but you must assign a budget for excavation work and laying the foundations.
• The main costs include a professional team’s services, materials and plan.
• The cost will be lower if you’re overlaying an existing asphalt driveway.
• Conversely, the cost will go up if you install it on a large or irregular-shaped driveway.

Stamped Asphalt

Stamped asphalt provides equivalent benefits to standard asphalt, such as low maintenance and durability; however, it has extra benefits of an enhanced cosmetic appeal. It can imitate the outcome of more expensive driveway options, for instance, block paving. It involves ‘stamping’ a design onto the asphalt surface using a grid and a plate compactor.

Asphalt Resurfacing

If your asphalt driveway has already seen better days, give it a new lease of life by resurfacing it. Install a new layer of asphalt over the top. The costs can be substantially lower than having a new driveway constructed. That’s because all the excavation and foundation work had already been performed when the first driveway was built.

How to Get the Best Results from Your New Asphalt Driveway?

• As part of the work, replace any driveway drains, gullies and manhole covers for the best results. That’s because reusing an old manhole cover or gully will take the shine away from your new driveway.
• Ensure that your driveway contractor uses an appropriate loading on any manhole covers, especially if your driveway has heavy vehicles on it at any point; likewise, use new kerbs and edgings.
• Furthermore, consider a linear drain to eliminate leftover water from the driveway in the long term.
• See that your contractor facilitates the disposal of any soil; though it may seem insignificant, removing it will be a considerable cost.
• Porous asphalt lets water drain through the surface to the stone and soil below, offering drainage.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about asphalt driveways:

1. Do I require planning permission for constructing a new asphalt driveway?

It depends on your drainage situation. For instance, if you have not installed drainage or do not use porous materials and excess water drains onto public space, you’ll probably require planning permission. So it is better to speak to your local authority for the right advice.

2. How many days will it take to install a new asphalt driveway?

Installing a new asphalt on a single driveway will take around 1 – 2 days. However, if the area is significantly large, it can stretch to 4 – 5 days.

3. When can I start using my new asphalt driveway?

Before you can drive or park your car on the newly constructed asphalt driveway, you’ll need to wait for around 4 – 14 days patiently.

• Don’t drive on your newly laid asphalt driveway before 4-days of the cooling period to be on the safer side.
• Don’t park your car on the new asphalt driveway for at least 14 days. That’s because your car’s weight can cause scarring, rutting and depressions in uncured asphalt.

The Bottom Line

Whether you need to install rural asphalt driveways or asphalt driveways in Sydney metropolitan areas or its suburbs, contacting the right civil contractor having appropriate experience is crucial.