needing a new driveway, options and things to ask during estimate

Hello

I am in need replacing my driveway, it is about 40 years old and was not taken very good care of by previous (solo) owner - lots of large alligator cracks and dips, etc. - seemingly not 'fixable.'

I have a U-driveway with another straight part that goes up to garage entrance (i can check dimensions).

As I intend to get 2-3 estimates... my questions:
1) what questions should I ask? From my reading, it should be 1 1/2 -2 inch driveway with high focus on the prep before new driveway laid down
2) how long should warranty be?
3) what might be estimated price per sq ft? (live in NJ here)

Thoughts? Feedback?

Very much appreciated.

 

Start by telling us what type of driveway you want? Concrete, asphalt, pavers, stone...???

 

Oops.... replacing my asphalt driveway with another asphalt driveway.

(post rotator cuff surgery, sleep deprivation is real

 

My advice is to make sure whoever does the work provide a very good and deep base with proper stone for drainage. I would also make a steel or brick edge for the blacktop to rest against. That will alleviate the edge from crumbling over the years. But it's a lot of work. And don't seal it for at least one to two years no matter what the urge to do it. They should tell you as much.

The good and bad of asphalt vs concrete.
Right now, I believe concrete is cheaper. But I may be wrong. Concrete looks nicer and can withstand heavy loads such as a camper in hot summer sun. You can jack up a car and use jack stand without fear of making depressions in the surface. With asphalt you need to seal it every few years. And the new sealers are not very good. But, concrete will crake sooner or later. You can bet on it.
Asphalt will soften and depress making dips and wells. However, nothing is easier than shoveling snow off an asphalt driveway. It glides off and just a little bit of sun will melt snow very fast.

Consider both before you decide.

 

Great feedback and insight thanks. What may be the price difference between asphalt vs concrete? Actually, we do already have a brick layer along the perimeter of the current asphalt driveway (so at least there's that).

 

I've worked where asphalt was cheaper and where concrete was cheaper.
If you call a concrete finisher with the dimensions of your driveway he should be able to give you a rough estimate over the phone.

 

Ask to see photos of other jobs. Ask how exactly they plan on doing the work. Ask if their work comes with any guarantee (unlikely, but worth asking). Ask when they would be able to finish the work by.