In order to choose a good driveway contractor, you need to do your research. Go online to find driveway contractors near you, and compare their ratings and customer reviews. Look for photos of driveways the contractors have previously worked on so you can see examples of their work. Do the driveways look pristine? Or are there large cracks and missing pieces?

Get cost estimates from several contractors. When you’re requesting estimates, give the contractors plenty of information about your project (do you want an asphalt, concrete or gravel driveway? What’s your budget? How soon do you need it done? How big is your driveway?), and ask them plenty of questions about their pricing, process and experience. 

Make sure whoever you hire is properly licensed and insured in your state. Check with your city and state governments to see what's required. 

Once you’ve done your research, decide which contractor fits your price range and offers quality service. But remember: don’t skip high-quality services to secure the lowest price.

On average, an asphalt driveway costs between $3 and $5 per square foot. That means a small 10’x20’ driveway, which is big enough for a single car, will probably cost you between $600 and $1,000. 

However, the total cost of your asphalt driveway will depend on several factors. Get free estimates from asphalt driveway contractors to find out exactly how you can expect to spend.

Read “How much does an asphalt driveway cost?” to learn more about the cost factors.

The lifespan of a typical asphalt driveway is between 12 and 20 years. However, some companies say they can last up to 30 to 35 years. 

Your driveway’s longevity will depend on several factors. The first is the quality of the installation. An asphalt driveway is only as good as its underlayment, drainage and root management. 

The next is maintenance. Keeping the driveway clean is imperative, and any cracks should be immediately sealed to prevent water infiltration and freeze-thaw cycles. Lastly, the amount of use and heavy equipment on the asphalt can impact how long it lasts.

Paving contractors can be hired to install a concrete or asphalt driveway at your home, office or property. They can also repave an asphalt or concrete driveway that has been damaged by time, weather or heavy loads. When you are looking for a driveway contractor, request quotes from at least three professionals who are in good standing and have great customer reviews. They should do a site visit and write you a bid, detailing the work involved, materials needed, approximate length of the project and estimated cost.

The site for your new driveway will determine costs and the work required for your contractor. First, the ground must be excavated to lay a clear path. This means removing any trees, bushes and stumps. Next, the driveway contractor will grade the area, making a level surface for the concrete or asphalt. To ensure proper drainage, driveway contractors should install a sub-base of compacted gravel (or similar) 4 inches-8 inches deep, depending on your soil type. Then the concrete or asphalt may be poured and smoothed over the top. Your driveway contractor should recommend an appropriate sealant for your climate and advise you on curing time. When hiring a paving contractor, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

Because unsealed concrete is porous, it readily absorbs liquids, leading to unsightly stains and freeze-and-thaw cycle damage. For this reason, it’s important to seal concrete that will see spills or outdoor weather.

The best option for garage floors and other high-traffic areas is epoxy, which forms a hard and extremely durable surface on top of concrete. Epoxy, acrylic, and polishes are often used on indoor floors, while acrylic-resin sealers and reactive penetrating sealers are used on outdoor surfaces to repel water and salt. Locate a concrete contractor in your area to help find the best solution.

Hire concrete contractor services for projects such as concrete foundations, concrete driveways, slab floors and other concrete work. A concrete contractor builds structures from concrete, often handling every step of the process from mixing ingredients to building the retaining structure to pouring and settling the mix. This individual or team supervises delivery and pouring to ensure that it’s done correctly. Many states require concrete contractors to have a license.

Paving contractors can be hired to install a concrete or asphalt driveway at your home, office or property. They can also repave an asphalt or concrete driveway that has been damaged by time, weather or heavy loads. When you are looking for a concrete driveway contractor, request quotes from at least three professionals who are in good standing and have great customer reviews. They should do a site visit and write you a bid, detailing the work involved, materials needed, approximate length of the project and estimated cost.

The site for your new driveway will determine costs and the work required for your contractor. First, the ground must be excavated to lay a clear path. This means removing any trees, bushes and stumps. Next, the driveway contractor will grade the area, making a level surface for the concrete or asphalt. To ensure proper drainage, driveway contractors should install a sub-base of compacted gravel (or similar) 4 inches-8 inches deep, depending on your soil type. Then the concrete or asphalt may be poured and smoothed over the top. Your driveway contractor should recommend an appropriate sealant for your climate and advise you on curing time. When hiring a paving contractor, check out our tips for smart hiring on Thumbtack.

 Here are some examples of average costs:

• The national average cost to hire a concrete specialist is $2,750, but that price can vary greatly depending on the work needed to repair and resurface your concrete driveway, the square footage of the project, current costs of concrete, and regional labor rates.
• Driveway contractors average $2-$3 per square foot to smooth and resurface your asphalt driveway.
• Resurfacing concrete driveways averages $3-$10 per square foot. Pricing can depend on repairs needed, project size and geographic location.
• Nationally, the average cost for resurfacing a 500-square-foot driveway ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.
• Sealant for a concrete drive can cost $20-$80 per gallon.
• Sealant for an asphalt drive averages 25 cents per square foot.

To find the best concrete contractors in your area, start by comparing concrete contractor reviews and ratings, which can give you insight into the quality of work you can expect from potential concrete contractors. When reading reviews, pay attention to details about how long the project took and whether the customer had any disputes with the contractors. The reviews often contain photos of past work, but if you don’t see any reviews, ask the contractor to share photographs of concrete floors, driveways and other projects they’ve worked on. Look for details such as clean edges and a lack of cracking. And finally, if a concrete license is required in your state, ask to see the contractor’s credentials. 

A concrete paint cover is typically opaque and covers up the color of the concrete. This means it provides significant protection to the concrete below. However, if it is improperly applied or subjected to heavy traffic, a painted concrete floor is likely to chip and peel. 

Epoxy and staining are two types of concrete floor sealer. Epoxy is a more durable but often more expensive option than a concrete stain. Epoxy forms a protective layer, while concrete stain is more decorative and requires more maintenance. Because epoxy can be more expensive than concrete stain, it is best used in high-traffic areas or in applications where low maintenance is desired.

A concrete stain, on the other hand, is quick to apply and can show off the textures of the concrete, but it does not provide a high degree of protection for the concrete against spills, salt, water and other contaminants. Staining concrete generally requires a dust mop, a pH-neutral cleaner and water to clean, while epoxy can cause resin buildup that necessitates the use of special detergents.

Find a concrete contractor near you for help selecting the right floor concrete sealer.

Yes, concrete floors are generally more affordable than hardwood floors. Generally, a concrete floor costs between $2 and $15 per square foot, while hardwood floors cost between $12 and $20 per square foot, according to Floor Critics. While concrete requires preparation and pouring, its ease of finishing makes it a very affordable flooring option. Choose between finishes like acid stains, epoxy and more. While hardwood is not cheap flooring, it offers warmth and durability with infrequent maintenance.

If you're stuck between installing wood floors or concrete floors, reach out to a flooring installation professional near you.