How to Estimate Costs for Asphalt Driveway Installation

Don’t let cost stand in the way of laying out a new asphalt driveway. Many homeowners think that this process is inconvenient, and the price tag may be disappointing. Asphalt driveway installation won’t seem so intimidating once you know what you’re getting into. Besides, there are tons of advantages that come with placing new asphalt on your driveway. It’s durable, tough, easy to repair, and best of all, it’s affordable. As long as you know how to crunch numbers for cost, you don’t have to worry about a contractor giving you a bad deal. 

Measurements

First, measure the length and width of the driveway. You can use a tape measure that reaches 100 feet for best results. Length is determined by measuring the distance between the front and the back of the pavement. As a good rule of thumb, start at the street curb where your property ends and work your way to the garage or car port. Next, figure out the width by starting on one side and reaching across to the other side. If you don’t have an existing driveway, make measurements based on where and how large you would like the driveway to be. Then divide the length and width separately by 3. This will help you determine what these measurements will be in yards. Multiply these two products together to reach a figure for square yardage. Then determine how deep you want the driveway to be. Once you’ve come up with this number in inches, multiply it by the square yardage. Use this figure to multiply it by .057. The product of this equation will be the number of tons of asphalt required. Find out what the going rate for asphalt per ton in your area is. For blacktop asphalt, this number can range between $80 and $150.

Contacting Contractors

You can use these figures as a guide for evaluating what a fair installation price is. Call up a few contractors and ask them to visit your property and offer an estimate. They should write up an estimate for you that will outline all costs and totals. Details should include costs for materials, trucking, labor, and other services. Compare their rates and see if they match your estimations. Then you may decide on who you would like to do your asphalt driveway installation.