Hamilton Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt usually costs less than concrete up front, with most residential driveways landing between $70 and $130 per square metre depending on the depth of the asphalt, how much excavation and basecourse the ground needs, and site access for the truck and roller. Larger areas cost less per square metre because setup is spread further. Commercial car parks are priced separately based on the traffic loads involved.

With a properly prepared base and periodic sealing, an asphalt driveway in the Waikato will typically give you 15 to 20 years of service, and often longer if it is not carrying heavy vehicles daily. The base is what decides longevity more than the asphalt itself. Resealing every four to six years keeps water out of the surface, which is the single biggest factor in how long it lasts.

You can usually drive on new asphalt within 24 to 48 hours, which is much faster than concrete. It stays relatively soft for the first few weeks though, so avoid parking in exactly the same spot, turning your steering wheel while stationary, or leaving trailer jockey wheels and vehicle stands sitting on it, because any of those can leave permanent indentations while the surface is still settling.

Neither is universally better. Asphalt costs less to install, goes down faster, copes well with slight ground movement and is easy to patch, but needs resealing and softens in strong sun. Concrete costs more initially, lasts longer, needs less maintenance and offers decorative finishes. We will talk through your budget, the traffic your driveway carries and how long you plan to stay, then give you a straight recommendation.

Often yes. If the existing surface is stable with no major potholes, deep cracking or drainage faults, we can lay a new asphalt layer straight over it, which saves the cost of breaking out and carting away the old surface. Where the base has failed, water is ponding, or the surface is moving underfoot, resurfacing only hides the problem, so we assess it properly before recommending either option.