Your driveway says a lot about your house.
It is the introduction to your property. It affects people’s first impression of your home.
That is why it’s significant to make sure you have a high-quality driveway – functional, stylish, and long-lasting.
Excavating your driveway is also part of the factors that may affect its quality and total project costs.
Read on to find out more about driveway excavation and the costs you’ll need to expect for the home improvement project.
Driveway Installation Cost
On average, a new driveway costs around $2,379 to $6,6471. That’s around $2 to $15 per square foot for materials and installation.
Cost factors for installing new driveways:
- Size
- Excavation
- Driveway material costs (concrete, asphalt, or gravel)
- Labor costs
- New installation or replacement
Land Excavation Costs Per Square Foot
Excavation is the process of moving earth, rock, soil, and other materials with the use of tools, equipment, or explosives. It’s most commonly used in construction to lay solid foundations and to grade land.
(Read: Excavation Contractors 101: What They Do And How To Hire Them)
Driveway excavation involves the removal of shrubs, trees, and boulders to establish a leveled driveway.
Proper drainage is also highly considered. It requires a precise cut and fills to establish the appropriate grade for the driveway pavers to lay.
The average materials cost to excavate a driveway in the United States is between $0.80 to $0.91 per square foot. The total labor and materials cost is estimated to be around $1.48 to $3.30 per square foot.
The actual project costs will depend on your location, the driveway’s size, land conditions, and preferred finish options.
New Driveway Cost by Type
The biggest factor when determining the cost to pave a new driveway is the material. The choices are asphalt, concrete, and gravel driveways.
Asphalt Driveway Cost
The average cost to install a new asphalt driveway is between $1,800 to $4,200. That ranges from $3 to $17 per square foot, including the materials and labor costs.
Concrete Driveway Cost
The average total cost for a new concrete driveway is $2,400 to $4,800, or $4 to $8 per square foot.
Costs may vary depending on the features you’d like to have. The contractor can add stain to the concrete mix to customize the colors according to your preferences. You can also have it patterned, textured, or stamped. Upgrades usually cost between $8 to $18 per square foot.
Gravel Driveway Cost
Per square foot: The average cost to install a gravel parking lot or driveway is between $1 to $3 per square foot or $600 to $1,800 for a two-car driveway.
Per cubic yard installed: The average gravel driveway installation costs per cubic yard vary depending on the type of gravel used. It can start at $15 a cubic yard for base materials and go up to $100 for premium quality gravel.
Among other types of driveways, gravel cost the least expensive yet long-lasting. A new gravel driveway lasts up to 100 years with stable foundation and proper maintenance.
Cost to Widen Driveway
Widening a driveway may require additional excavation, a new drainage system, and other construction work. The average driveway extension cost runs from $3 to $12 per square foot, depending on materials and site conditions.
Work With the Pros In Excavation
Professional grading contractors can build a beautiful driveway for you that lasts for years.
Whether you’re an owner of an old or new property, paying attention to your driveway is highly recommended.
Call a professional driveway contractor to evaluate all the construction and excavation needed to build your desired driveway.
Looking for a grading expert in Prescott or the Yavapai County area in Arizona? We at Aspire Construction Group can help. Contact us today!