Replacing a driveway is a big event for most homeowners. If you’re upgrading your driveway surface from asphalt or poured concrete to pavers - which is an excellent investment in your home’s curb appeal - there are a few more steps involved that will ultimately save you a lot of time down the road. What is the timeline for driveway excavation and installation in the Amherst and Milford, NH, areas? Here’s what you need to know.
Consultation: 1-2 Days
A good driveway installer will contact you to arrange a convenient time for a site visit and consultation. During this visit, the representative will assess soil conditions and drainage, measure the driveway, make materials and design recommendations, and of course answer your questions. Based on the options you select, you will receive an estimate for the job.
Permits and Logistics 2-4 Weeks
Once you’ve signed a contract, your driveway company will put you on the schedule for demolition of your existing driveway and installation of your new driveway surface. During the waiting period, the company will pull permits and determine the location of any buried or overhead utilities to ensure safety.
If you are purchasing driveway pavers, all relevant materials (pavers and substrate) will be sourced and purchased now to avoid delaying the project once the construction is ready to begin.
Construction: 2-4 Weeks
Days 1-2 of the actual construction process involves removal of the old paving materials and preparing the site for the new driveway, depending on the lengths and width of the driveway. This includes adding new substrate and compacting it with a vibratory roller
If you are installing a driveway heating system - the time-saver we alluded to earlier - this will be done just prior to installation of the surface. A snowmelt system will keep your driveway drier and free from snow and ice, which is a very welcome option for most homeowners especially given the severity of NH winters. We recommend updating your front walkway at the same time, and extending the driveway heating system to underneath walkway pavers as well.
The length of the paving process depends on the materials you’ve selected. Asphalt can take a day to install, plus 3-5 days for curing during which no vehicles are allowed on the driveway. The driveway is considered fully cured in 2-3 weeks.
Poured concrete takes a similar amount of time as asphalt: 1-2 days to install, plus curing time. Concrete sets within 24-48 hours which is the earliest you can walk on the surface. Concrete is considered partially cured in 7 days, and can accept light traffic from vehicles; and fully cured in about 28 days.
Paver driveways take longer to install - about double the time of an asphalt or concrete driveway - since pavers are laid by hand and then polymeric sand is applied between the pavers to hold the pavers securely in place and prevent weed growth.
However, there is virtually no delay between the installation and when you can use your driveway. Ultimately, the process takes about the same amount of time. The only exception is if you are sealing your driveway pavers, in which case you would add a 1-2 days for the sealant to cure (not all pavers require sealing, though it’s recommended to help preserve the integrity of the pavers) and reduce maintenance later.
Related: EXCAVATING CONTRACTORS EXPLAIN WHY YOU WOULD NEED EXCAVATION WORK IN THE BEDFORD, NH AREA
