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8 Tips for Hiring a Reliable Driveway Paving Contractor

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8 Tips for Hiring a Reliable Driveway Paving Contractor

8 Tips for Hiring a Reliable Driveway Paving ContractorGetting the right paving contractor is essential to ensuring your driveway or other surface is safe and durable. At New Style Driveways, we have two types of driveways, tarmac and gravel. We also complete full garden paving, driveway paving and patio installations.

We know that you can’t just pick any driveway paving contractor so our team have conducted some important tips for you. Use these when hiring a driveway contractor for your home or business.

8 tips for hiring a driveway contractor

The right skills and equipment

Paving a driveway requires specialised equipment and skills. For example, tarmac needs to be laid quickly at around 95-190 degrees to ensure a seamless, smooth finish. It is essential to have the right number of people and quality equipment for the size of the job.

A contractor should have around six to eight people working on a project. When choosing a paving service, pick a contract with an experienced and trained team to ensure the best results.

Proper material use

All tarmac is not created equal. There are different grades of tarmac and each one has a different amount of recycled material. Low-quality one will impact the durability and appearance of your paving.

Some contractors also cut costs by applying a thinner layer of tarmac . Look for a contractor that uses higher grade tarmac with lower recycled material content. Also, a good contractor lays at least 3 inches that compacts to 2 ½ inches.

Attention to preparation

A good contractor does not cut corners. When paving a driveway or other surface, the base is just as important as the surface. A poorly constructed base that is too thin will mean the tarmac will start to erode and buckle, usually because water infiltrates into the surface and causes holes or cracks.

Choose a contractor that takes time to build a proper base. For a new driveway, preparation work usually takes a week before a surface is paved so the base settles.

Insurance coverage

Some contractors offer very low prices for their paving services. This often means there is some sort of scam. Some contractors, for example, can provide a lower price by not carrying insurance. If there is an accident or damage during the project, that means your policy will be used and your premiums will go up as a result. When picking a contractor, always ask for proof of insurance.

Good references

One of the best ways to check the quality of a contractor’s work is to check references. An unreliable company will have consistently poor reviews.

Talk to friends and neighbours if they have experience with contractors. You can also check out projects near you to look at the quality of the contractor’s work.

Accurate quotes

Some contractors will include more material than they need in a quote, and you end up paying more. A reliable contractor will use their experience to give you an accurate quote. Check quotes from multiple contractors to get an idea of a proper estimate.

Also, avoid a contractor that asks you to pay a deposit. In some cases, you may never see this money again. Reputable contractors will use lines of credit with suppliers and never ask for a deposit.

Design considerations

If you are creating a new driveway or another paved surface, it is important to pick a contractor with experience in design. A reliable contractor will consider how the surface will be used.

For example, they will think about how someone might turn or back up on a driveway. They will also think about creating enough space for larger vehicles.

Finally, a good contractor will consider how water runs off the surface to avoid problems with the base.

A written contract

Before starting a project, make sure you have a written contract. Whether for regular facility management like repairs or a new paving project, a contract helps protect you if there is a dispute.

You can also use it to help claim some or all of your money back if the contract does not complete what was agreed.

Professional driveway paving services

It might be tempting to pick a contractor that offers the lowest price. Unreliable contractors will cut corners by not using the right material or enough tar for a project. They will also skip important steps that will ultimately impact the quality and longevity of your paving.

With a reputation built on quality and satisfied clients, New Style Driveways delivers exceptional results. From tarmac driveways to car parks, we specialise in the design and construction of all types of block paving and tarmac paving.

Do you need a reliable driveway paving contractor? Let our experienced professional driveway pavers help you build or repair your driveway. Request a quick quote or call us on 0852139591 for more information!

 

Can I Tar and Chip My Own Driveway?

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Tar and Chip Driveway Cost Dublin Ireland

Tar and Chip Driveway Cost Dublin Ireland

If you have your own driveway, it needs to be maintained. Whether you’ve seen some recent cracking and need to patch it up or you’re looking to simply give the whole thing a fresh new look, tar and chip driveways are the best in today’s market . And before you start shopping around, it’s worth knowing that if you can tar and chip your own driveway , then you will get the best results for your efforts.

As for the question, can you tar and chip your own driveway, the short answer is no.  Tar and chip driveways, or “chipseal” driveways, are typically installed by professionals.  But we’ll explain some of the details of this type of driveway and why it might be a good fit for your home.

Hiring an experienced installer to install your driveway is usually the best choice because they have the right equipment and expertise to do it properly. They’ll also ensure that all necessary steps are taken during installation so that there’s little chance of any major problems developing down the road.

What Is a Tar and Chip Driveway?

Tar and chip driveways are a type of asphalt driveway, but they differ from traditional asphalt in two ways:

  • The liquid asphalt is applied to the surface in thin layers, rather than poured into a single large trench. This keeps the surface more flexible and allows for easier repairs if necessary.
  • The loose stones are called “chips,” rather than being compacted into small gravels like most other kinds of tar-covered roads.

A tar and chip driveway isn’t all that different from an asphalt driveway.  It uses hot liquid asphalt covered with a layer of aggregate (stones).  The difference is in the application process.

How Is a Tar and Chip Driveway Installed?

First, you’ll need to remove any existing surface material such as grass, weeds or concrete with a jackhammer or other heavy equipment.  Then the builder will lay down the foundation for your new driveway—usually crushed stone or gravel—that will act as drainage for any water that may pool at the bottom of your property during rainstorms.

Next comes the hot liquid asphalt, which is heated to a certain temperature and mixed with the aggregate (“stone”) until it forms an even layer about one inch thick on top of your new foundation layer of stones or gravels; this creates a solid road surface that’s stronger and more durable than gravel alone.

With asphalt, the paving contractor lays down several layers of hot pavement material and then compacts it to form a dense, solid surface.

Asphalt, while it may look like tar, is actually a composite material. Asphalt is made up of sand, gravel, stone and petroleum products that are heated in a furnace to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The mixture is then poured over the ground where it hardens when cooled. In contrast, tar and chip paving uses just one layer of hot liquid asphalt (similar to what’s used for asphalt paving) covered with a layer of crushed stone or gravel.

Why You Should Hire Professionals for Tar and Chip Driveways

You need to know whether or not the driveway has been prepared properly. If the driveway was laid down years ago, it may have cracked or shifted. If this is the case, then you’ll need to pay an expert contractor to come out and fix those issues before they’re able to apply tar and chip. When you’re ready to install your tar and chip driveway it’s best to hire a professional contractor because they’ll do the job right and ensure that it looks good too.

With the challenges of installing a tar and chip driveway, you definitely won’t be able to do this yourself. The best and most practical option is to have it done by professionals.

Are you planning to install a tar and chip driveway in your Dublin home? Simply give us a call at (01) 4851582 | 0852139591 or click here to reach us.