How Much Does Cost To Pave a Driveway in Houston, TX?
In Houston, the cost to pave your driveway will be between $2,612 and $6,300. Do you live in Houston, TX? Are you looking to get your driveway paved? Here’s a guide to how much it costs to pave a driveway in the area.
Are you considering installing a new or repaving an existing driveway? There are a lot of things that impact the cost to pave a driveway in the Houston area, so it can be difficult to budget and plan.
A new driveway can be a functional and aesthetic asset to your property. And it can add actual value by making your home more attractive to buyers.
If uncertainty about the cost of paving your driveway is what is holding you back, the information below can help you understand what factors will impact the final price.
What Impacts the Cost to Pave a Driveway?
Paving contracting continues to steadily increase in Texas and elsewhere in the country. In terms of demand, now may be a perfect time to move forward with your driveway paving project.
Beyond market considerations, the major factors that will impact the cost to pave a driveway are simply materials and labor.
Materials
There are three main types of materials used in driveways: gravel, asphalt, and concrete.
Gravel is the most economical option, and it requires little maintenance. But that is where its advantages end. Gravel driveways are difficult to clear of debris, and the stones can wash or roll away easily.
Both asphalt and concrete driveways are a mixture of sand, stone, and an adhesive component. Asphalt is a petroleum-based material, while concrete uses cement.
Asphalt vs. Concrete
Asphalt is a cheaper option than concrete. This is partly because it is made of recyclable materials. But its price can fluctuate with the cost of crude oil. Asphalt is more porous than concrete and can allow better water drainage.
Concrete is much sturdier than asphalt. It’s often guaranteed for up to 40 years but can last more than 50. You can expect asphalt to last about 20 years, with the possibility of up to 30, depending on usage.
Although more durable, concrete is more difficult than asphalt to repair, should it become cracked or otherwise damaged. But asphalt will need more maintenance for it to stay in good shape. This will entail resealing your driveway every three or four years. The only maintenance concrete requires is decreasing, if that becomes an issue.
There are special options you can select if you go with concrete. These include adding stains or dyes to the material. You can also add textures to make the concrete look like stone or clay.
If you live in the Houston area, one major factor to consider in choosing between concrete and asphalt is how they each respond to temperature. Asphalt is used more frequently in colder areas dues to its ability to adapt. Concrete can crack in colder temperatures, although this generally requires them to be well below freezing and there to be a sudden drop in temperature.
Conversely, asphalt can be negatively affected by hot temperatures, causing it to melt. For this to occur, temperatures would need to be above 120 Fahrenheit, depending on the asphalt mixture. This could be a concern in the Texas summer heat.
Labor
Both in terms of material and labor, the main thing that will impact cost is the size of your driveway. There’s a good chance that a contractor will charge fees based on the size of the job, rather than hourly. So, labor costs can be more easily estimated than with other jobs. Generally, you can expect to pay between $2.50 and $8.00 for labor for every square foot of material needed for your driveway.
Landscape
The landscape of your driveway will certainly impact labor costs. If the driveway is on an incline, for instance, it will require more preparation. And, depending on the severity of the slope, the driveway may need to be held in place with rebar until it sets.
If workers need to remove bushes and topsoil, this will impact the cost as well. Trees and stumps will require greater effort. If the company needs to perform excavation or install drainage systems, this is something to consider.
If the contractor has to remove an existing driveway, this can be a major factor in the total price as well. However, most paving businesses do this all the time and should be able to give you an estimate for this upfront.
Equipment
Concrete is a very heavy material and must be mixed before setting. This is a difficult task to accomplish without special equipment. So, even if you plan to prepare your driveway for pouring or to finish the concrete yourself, you most likely will need to hire a professional to deliver it.
You can expect to pay between $100 and $130 per cubic yard for ready-mix concrete. The price will go up to between $140 and $200 per cubic yard for “short loads,” or deliveries under 10 cubic yards. This is because the overhead is the same for smaller loads that still need to be delivered and mixed.
Given its weight and the equipment needed to transport the material, distance can impact cost as well. Consider selecting a contractor close to your home to help keep these costs down.
If you live in a residential area that has a tight workspace, due to street traffic or close proximity to other houses, the contractor may need to use special equipment. Be sure to discuss potential challenges with them at the outset, so there are no surprise costs in the middle of the project.
Know the Cost to Pave a Driveway
Most reputable contractors will offer you a free estimate before beginning any work. Use the information above to discuss all variables that could impact the cost.
Also, take advantage of online resources that use basic information about your home, location, and details about the project to connect you with contractors in the Houston area. These can be a valuable tool for comparing proposals from different contractors. And online reviews will let you assess various companies’ reputations.
Sure, some issues cannot be anticipated. But with these tools, you can arrive at a ballpark figure of what it will cost to pave a driveway so that you can plan accordingly.