I recently bought a house and the driveway is in bad shape, needing full excavation and repaving. I've had two contractors provide quotes, and I'm baffled by their differing methods yet similar prices. Paver A would dig down 12 inches, haul away the old material, fill it with a mixture of fine and dense fill, leave it for 3-4 weeks to settle, and then come back to pave with 2.5 inches of asphalt – quoted at $18,200. Paver B was less specific about the depth but claims he can finish everything in 2 days by hauling in stone, prepping, and then paving with 2.5 inches of asphalt, quoted at $18,250. I'm unsure if the settling time with Paver A is beneficial or if I should trust Paver B's quick turnaround. Any insights on how to choose between these two?
2 Answers
Don’t forget to ask for specifics in each quote! Knowing how much fill and the type of rock they're using is important. Paver A seems to let gravity do the work by waiting, while Paver B might just be relying on quick methods. More details will help you understand what you’re actually getting. If Paver A mentioned 8 inches of dense mix and 4 inches of fine mix, that’s a pretty solid plan. And yes, calling references is always a smart move! It'll give you a sense of their past work.
It sounds like Paver A is taking a more thorough approach by letting the new fill settle, which could lead to better longevity for your driveway. On the other hand, Paver B seems to be rushing things, possibly fitting in numerous jobs in a short time. Check with Paver A if they use a roller for compaction; that's crucial for a solid base. If they do, the time to settle could just be a smart scheduling tactic due to how hot mix asphalt works. Also, don’t hesitate to get a third quote to compare options more thoroughly. That might help clarify things further!