Evaluating Driveway Widening Proposals
#1
10-09-20, 11:21 AM
Evaluating Driveway Widening Proposals
Hi all!
Not exactly DIY, but I figured this would be THE place to get the dirt (pun intended) on how to evaluate the driveway widening proposals, as they start to roll in (sorry, couldnt help myself...
Here is the job:
Proposals (at time of writing):
Not exactly DIY, but I figured this would be THE place to get the dirt (pun intended) on how to evaluate the driveway widening proposals, as they start to roll in (sorry, couldnt help myself...
Here is the job:
- Tear up existing driveway (8' wide, I believe)
- Widen the driveway by 10'
- Pave
- (optional) install Belgian Block on both sides
- existing Driveway is flat at top/slopes downhill after one car length, roughly
- new area will be cutting into a slope
- a gutter leader will need to be re-routed to the street
Proposals (at time of writing):
- Contractor #1:
- 3" FABC I-5 asphalt, raked and rolled
- Under new section, add 6" of QP
- Contract #2 (30% more expensive):
- 3" layer FABC I-5 compacted to 2.5"
- 5" layer of QP under new section
#2
10-15-20, 04:18 AM
You want a stable base. Around here they generally excavate clay and put down 4"-6" of slate rock for the base. But a lot depends on both your soil and climate conditions. The better the base the less likely you are to have dips/cracks develop in the asphalt later on.
It sounds like 6" is the norm for your area. They guy wanting to use 10" is likely one that's accustomed to putting in premium driveways [usually at a premium price]
It sounds like 6" is the norm for your area. They guy wanting to use 10" is likely one that's accustomed to putting in premium driveways [usually at a premium price]
sirk98
voted this post useful.
#3
10-15-20, 11:17 AM
sirk98
voted this post useful.
#4
10-09-20, 12:37 PM
Group Moderator
#5
10-09-20, 03:44 PM
What are you calling "QP"?
BTW: Contractor #3 submitted their proposal (20% more than contractor 1, but includes walkway):
- 6" stone (not sure if clean stone or QP-- just says stone)
- 3" I-5 "new blacktop"
- Also ripping out and replacing my walkway (I forgot to ask the other contactors to quote that)
#6
10-14-20, 03:02 PM
Got another quote. This company is recommending 10" of 'stone' for the base. The two other companies I am leaning toward are specifying 6".
Is there a minimum for base? I think I read more than 4" somewhere... That my soil is clay--does that make a difference?
Is there a minimum for base? I think I read more than 4" somewhere... That my soil is clay--does that make a difference?
#7
10-15-20, 07:50 AM
thank you for the reply! Thats my hunch as well, though this contractor (lets call them #4) was right around the price of contractor #1 and contractor #3 (if I removed walkway redo from the quote)
I think that I have settled on contractor #1. Unlike plumbing/electrical work, where I know enough to be literally dangerous (lol), I have 0 knowledge of driveways nor how to sniff out potentially shoddy work before signing.
I think that I have settled on contractor #1. Unlike plumbing/electrical work, where I know enough to be literally dangerous (lol), I have 0 knowledge of driveways nor how to sniff out potentially shoddy work before signing.
- Panels not attached to horizontal sealing strips correctly by not matching the crowns on the panels and No Furring or Vertical Sealing strips used on the sides.
Panels only screwed down every 2-3 feet instead of every other crown as recommended by manufacturer
Attempting to use existing flashing failed as it was sloppily put back in place and also creating a nearly level surface close to the house
Sloppy finishing on the right hand side where it looks like he didn't measure the purlan lengths very well and I have no idea what happened with the side panel were it looks like he miscut it.
