Paving Contractor Costs and Why Your Siding Choice Affects Your Curb Appeal More
$6,500 is the national average for a paved asphalt driveway on a standard residential lot, and it's one of those home improvement projects where the finished result delivers real curb appeal — for about two years, until the asphalt starts showing its age. What most homeowners don't think about until they're standing in their freshly paved driveway is that the new surface is now the sharpest thing on their exterior, and the worn, faded siding behind it has never looked worse by comparison.
Paving and siding upgrades are connected projects in a way that doesn't always get discussed: each one throws the other into higher relief. A beautiful new driveway next to chalky, 20-year-old vinyl siding makes the siding look older than it did before. And new siding on a house with a cracked, potholed driveway can look like a renovation that ran out of money before finishing. Planning both together — or at least sequencing them thoughtfully — produces a better result for less total money than tackling each project without considering the other.
What Paving Contractors Charge for Residential Work
Asphalt driveway installation is the most common paving project and the most cost-effective per square foot. Installation of a standard two-car asphalt driveway (typically 600 to 800 square feet) runs $3,000 to $7,500 depending on the local market, the base preparation required, and whether the old driveway is being removed and hauled away.
Concrete driveway installation costs more upfront but lasts longer — typically 30 to 50 years versus 20 to 30 for asphalt. A two-car concrete driveway runs $5,000 to $12,000. In climates with heavy freeze-thaw cycles (Midwest, Northeast), concrete requires proper reinforcement to resist cracking, and the concrete mix specification matters for longevity.
Paver driveway installation — natural stone, brick, or concrete pavers — is the premium option at $10 to $30 per square foot installed. A two-car paver driveway runs $8,000 to $24,000. Paver driveways are the most aesthetically flexible and the easiest to repair (individual pavers can be replaced without patching), and when maintained they add more to home value than asphalt.
Driveway resurfacing — applying a new layer over an existing asphalt driveway that's sound structurally but worn on the surface — runs $1,500 to $3,500 for a standard driveway. It's a cost-effective middle option when the base is still good.
| Item/Type | Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway (two-car) | $3,000 | $5,500 | $8,500 |
| Concrete driveway (two-car) | $5,000 | $8,500 | $14,000 |
| Paver driveway (two-car) | $8,000 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| Driveway resurfacing | $1,500 | $2,800 | $5,000 |
| Parking pad addition | $1,500 | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Sealcoating (per sq ft) | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.45 |
The Siding Connection: Planning Your Exterior Together
Here's where thinking holistically about your exterior pays off. If you're investing $6,000 in a driveway, it's worth doing a quick calculation on what new siding would cost — because the combined effect of both projects dramatically exceeds the sum of the parts in terms of curb appeal and home value.
New vinyl siding on a typical 2,000-square-foot home runs $9,000 to $16,000 installed. Fiber cement siding (James Hardie and similar products) runs $14,000 to $24,000. Both materials have 30 to 50-year lifespans and essentially no maintenance requirements beyond occasional cleaning.
When contractors are already mobilized and planning the project — scaffolding is up, crew is on site — there's often meaningful cost savings in doing multiple exterior projects at once versus sequential mobilizations. Some homeowners save $1,000 to $3,000 by having their siding and driveway work scoped together, even if different crews do the work.
The visual logic is equally compelling. New siding changes the entire character of a home's exterior. New paving completes the picture from the street. Together, they're a comprehensive curb appeal renovation that can add 10 to 15 percent to a home's perceived value.
Timing and Sequencing Exterior Projects
Sequencing matters. The right order for combined exterior projects is:
Siding first. New siding installation involves heavy equipment moving around the house, and workers carrying materials to all sides. Doing siding before the driveway means you don't risk damaging a freshly paved surface with heavy boots, equipment, or material deliveries. Siding installation debris — old siding panels, scrap material — can also be cleaned up before the fresh driveway surface is installed.
Paving last. A new asphalt or concrete driveway looks best immediately after installation, and keeping it looking that way for the first few months means minimizing heavy traffic and avoiding sharp turns on fresh asphalt during hot weather. Doing paving after all other exterior work is complete protects your investment.
Landscaping between. If you're replanting beds or adding new plantings as part of the overall curb appeal project, do that after siding is complete but timed with or after paving so you're not digging near freshly laid concrete or asphalt.
How to Get Free Siding Quotes
havequote.com/siding connects homeowners with licensed siding contractors who can assess your home's exterior, provide material recommendations, and deliver detailed written quotes. For homeowners planning a comprehensive exterior upgrade that includes paving, siding, or both, getting siding quotes in parallel with paving quotes puts you in a position to understand the full scope and find contractors who can coordinate the timing.
The service is free, the contractors are vetted, and getting comparative quotes from two or three siding contractors typically saves $1,500 to $4,000 on a full-home siding project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does asphalt driveway installation take? A standard two-car asphalt driveway takes one to two days to install, including base preparation and paving. The driveway needs 24 to 48 hours to harden before vehicle use, and reaches full strength in about 30 days.
Do I need a permit for a new driveway? Permit requirements vary by municipality. Many localities require permits for new driveways or significant expansions, particularly where they connect to public roads. Your paving contractor should know local requirements. Always check before work begins.
How often should I seal coat an asphalt driveway? Sealcoating every two to four years extends asphalt life by protecting against UV degradation, water penetration, and oil damage. New asphalt should be sealed after its first year of curing; before that, the oils in the asphalt need to cure naturally.
What's the best way to plan a combined siding and driveway project? Get quotes for both projects before committing to either. Understanding the total investment helps you make better decisions about material choices on each. Sequence siding before paving; consider whether a single general contractor or separate specialists makes more sense for your project.
How do I find a reputable paving contractor? Look for contractors with local references for completed driveways, proof of insurance, and written proposals that specify the base preparation, asphalt thickness, and drainage provisions. Paving quality is mostly invisible once the job is done — the base preparation is what determines whether your driveway lasts 20 years or 8 years, and a contractor who doesn't explain their base prep process is a contractor to be cautious of.
Get free siding quotes alongside your exterior upgrade planning at havequote.com/siding and create the curb appeal your home deserves from the driveway to the roofline.
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James Whitfield has spent 18 years in residential construction and home improvement across Texas, Florida, and California. A licensed general contractor, he managed large-scale roofing and HVAC installation projects before joining HaveQuote to help homeowners make smarter decisions about contractors and costs. His work has helped thousands of families avoid overpaying for home services.