When it comes to paving options, whether you're a homeowner putting in a driveway or a commercial developer planning a parking lot, it's important to consider the cost. With inflation affecting the prices of materials and labor, it's crucial to stay updated on the current costs.
At Ram Paving Ltd, we have been paving surfaces throughout Alberta for years and understand the intricacies of calculating costs for this type of work. We have updated our pricing to reflect the last few years of inflation and have done our research to ensure that we can provide you with accurate estimates for your project.
Whether you're considering asphalt, concrete, or another material, our team can help you make an informed decision based on your needs and budget. Contact us today to learn more about what it might cost to pave your driveway or parking lot in 2023.
The average Cost To Pave A Driveway is $9-$18 per square foot
The average Cost To Pave An Asphalt Parking Lot is $2.50-$7.00 per square foot.
How Much Does it Cost to Pave a Driveway?
Driveways seem like fairly simple projects, but they’re actually not as straightforward as you might think. Numerous steps are involved with paving an asphalt driveway, including:
- Demolition and removal: old asphalt, concrete, and paving stones usually have to be removed before any new work can take place. We take these old materials to a recycling plant so they can be repurposed in the future, reducing the environmental footprint of the new construction.
- Prepping the sub base: the sub base of a driveway is responsible for supporting the new pavement, and also helps prevent damage from freezing and thawing water during changing seasons.
- Grading and sloping: grading and sloping the area helps ensure that water will drain properly from the sides and bottom of the finished surface. This process helps reduce future cracks and other defects that can grow into structural problems over time.
- Compacting: a twin drum roller is used to compact the paving area and get rid of any soft spots that could become vulnerabilities in the finished surface.
- Applying the binding layer: a layer of crushed rock is applied over the base soil to help hold the finished product in place.
- Laying fresh asphalt: in the last step of the process, fresh asphalt is laid on top of the binding layer.
The differences in driveway paving costs normally come down to a few factors:
- The quality of the asphalt being used. Low-quality asphalt surfaces may save you some money in the short term, but they may not last as long as driveways made with better material.
- The thickness of the fresh asphalt layer. Most driveways in Alberta should have at least 2 inches of fresh asphalt on top of the binding layer for best results.
- The amount of old material that needs to be removed. Grinding away old asphalt or concrete generally adds at least $2-$3 per square foot to the total cost of the job.
- How much grading and sloping are needed The more labor it takes to ensure proper drainage for the finished product, the more expensive it’s going to be.
All of those factors can make the final costs for an asphalt driveway hard to predict, but most projects come in at $9-$18 per square foot. That figure includes $3-$8 for materials and $6-$10 for the labour involved.
How Much Does it Cost to Pave a Parking Lot?
The basic paving process for an asphalt parking lot isn’t that different from a driveway, but there are a few notable exceptions. For example, we lay 3 inches of fresh asphalt on top of the binding layers for all parking lots instead of the 2 we use for residential driveways. We may also need to use a different grade of asphalt to handle the increased amount of vehicle traffic most commercial parking lots face.
However, the overall costs for paving asphalt parking lots are usually lower than for paving driveways. That’s because the cost per square foot goes down when paving larger surface areas. Like many other purchases, you get a better deal when you buy in volume—materials, and labour for asphalt parking lots usually fall between $2.50-$7.00 per square foot.
Should I Use Asphalt or Concrete?
Many people cite the relative longevity of concrete as a reason to use it for paving projects, but that’s only one factor to consider—and it’s not always true. The significant freezing and thawing that occurs when seasons change in Alberta can result in cracks that compromise the structural integrity of concrete surfaces. Bottom line: a concrete driveway or parking lot that could last for decades in a more balanced climate might not be such a good investment here.
That being the case, the higher cost of concrete isn’t always worth it. Concrete driveways can cost as much as $18 per square foot, and concrete parking lots usually cost $4-$7 per square foot. Asphalt is generally less expensive—and if you maintain it properly, it can serve you just as well in Alberta’s unique climate.
Plan Your Paving Projects in Advance
When planning a paving project, it's important to work with a dependable paving contractor. Hiring an expert can help avoid costly mistakes and potential issues by using the right materials and processes. They have the necessary tools and experience to ensure the project is done right the first time, as DIY Paving projects often have to be fixed later.
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Author
Roy Alcock is a seasoned professional in the paving industry and the proud owner of Ram Paving LTD, a family-run business that has been delivering high-quality paving services for generations. Roy's vast knowledge and experience stem from a lineage of pavers, and he brings these skills to bear in consistently ensuring excellent customer satisfaction. He is dedicated to quality workmanship, great communication, and a hands-on approach to paving, making him a reliable expert in the field.
