How Much Does an Asphalt Driveway Cost
If you want to have a driveway installed within the premises of your house without spending too much, then you can use asphalt as the main material for the driveway construction. Although asphalt driveways don’t last longer than driveways made of concrete, the asphalt driveway cost is lesser than the cost of other materials used in the installation of a private road. But how much does asphalt driveway cost nowadays?
Costs of Asphalt Driveway Construction
Apparently, the asphalt driveway prices depend on the region where you currently belong. According to CostHelper, the typical cost of asphalt driveway with an area of 600 square feet (12’x50’), ranges from $1,200 to $3,000 or higher, having a cost of $2 to $5 for every square foot. The aforementioned driveway surface area is ideal for one car. But if you want a quarter mile long private lane, then you will have to pay around $25,000 to $50,000 to complete such project.
Pavement complications and designs like curves, unconventional shapes and slopes will definitely affect the total costs. Furthermore, there are charges for smaller jobs such as hauling or bringing an asphalt heater, steamroller, and other machines and equipment to the site.
But according to RSMeans via Fixr, the asphalt driveway cost for a 12’x50’ area is around $830, installing the asphalt at a depth of 2.5 inches. When the asphalt is placed at this certain depth, the driveway can last up to 30 years. To maintain its durability and smooth appearance, you have to provide the driveway with a macadam treatment, which costs $2 for each square foot, every six to 10 years, or around $1,200 every after six years.
Aside from the cost of asphalt installation, here is a breakdown of the cost of asphalt driveway.
*Clearing of the Land and Removal of the Trees. In constructing a private road, it is necessary to clear the site where the driveway is going to be constructed by removing the boulders, brushwoods, and trees. Evidently, the costs of these activities will be added to the asphalt driveway prices.
– $48 per hour is paid to every worker who is tasked to cut and chip light trees within one acre
– $68 per hour to remove the stumps or the remaining parts of the tree after the trunk has been cut
– $20 to $40 for every hour to chip or cut trees having a diameter of more than 18 inches
– $13 to $20 for every hour to totally remove a tree
– $150 to $400 for each hour to clear the site completely, but the cost depends on the machinery used to get the job done; in most cases, a large bulldozer is brought to the site for the land clearing task
Of course, you don’t have to pay for everything. The asphalt driveway cost to clear a land and remove the trees varies according to the area where the pavement will be constructed. If the site only has a few trees, bushes, and boulders, then expect that the cost of asphalt driveway is not going to be big. Otherwise, you need to pay more if the area needs drastic cleaning.
*Driveway Grading. As a short reference, the process of driveway grading is to provide a solid and stable foundation for the pavement before the asphalt is laid down. This also ensures that there is a drainage that keeps the water away from the garage or your house, preventing occurrences of a flood. As such, how much does asphalt driveway cost if a private road grading is included? The driveway grading usually costs around $1.43 for every square yard, which is a total of $100 for a 12’x50’ surface area.
Additional Expenses for Asphalt Driveway Construction
If you want to make sure that the asphalt driveway is properly built, then you need to set aside an extra budget to cover the additional expenses that are needed to complete the project.
*Contractor or Qualified Engineer – In cases when the pavement area is big and difficult to manage, it is best to seek the expertise of a contractor or engineer who can determine how the driveway is going to be constructed. They also know the appropriate design and installation to prevent the possibilities of deterioration because of frost, water, and other natural causative agents.
*Driveway Design – If you like to have a driveway with curves or slopes, then expect that the asphalt driveway prices will increase due to the costs of additional materials and labor. Such designs definitely involve more effort and time. And if this same pavement has to be made over a stream or other small bodies of water, then the installation of a drainage system increases the asphalt driveway cost. Moreover, this requires an approval from the office of wetlands commission before you commence the project.
*Permit – Because a private road is usually connected to a public road or lane, there is a need for you to secure a permit from the local government. The fees in getting a permit depend on your location.
