How Much Does It Cost to Pave a Driveway

Paving Contractors Cost Guide: How Much Should You Pay

Vancouver's average paving project cost is around $3,000, while Barrie's is closer to $6,000, according to various sources

Paving projects are the ones that can dramatically improve the look of your home, its functionality and increase its value as well. Hiring a paving contractor is probably the most efficient way to have any paving services accomplished professionally, be it laying a new driveway, repairing a beaten-up walkway or adding a patio to your backyard. In Canada, however, the cost of paving can take on incredibly different figures depending on which region the job is situated in, the material selected, the amount of work to be completed, and the condition of the location.

This cost guide will enlighten Canadian homeowners on the true cost of paving contractors and on the way the costs are estimated, and ways of making effective decisions to maximising quality at maximum cost-effectiveness.

The average wages of a Canadian paving contractor

Most homeowners in Canada can expect to spend anywhere from $2,500 to over $25,000 on a paving project, depending on the material, size, and complexity.

• A simple asphalt driveway for a single-car home might cost around $3,500 to $6,000

• A concrete driveway typically ranges between $6,000 and $12,000

• Stamped or decorative concrete can cost $10,000 to $20,000

• Interlocking stone paving may start at $12,000 and go upwards of $25,000

• Gravel driveways remain the cheapest, averaging $1,500 to $4,000

Smaller projects like a front walkway or a backyard path might only cost $1,000 to $3,000, depending on materials and labour. Larger projects like commercial lots, long private roads, or patios with integrated features can exceed $30,000 or more.

Selection of material and its effects on costing

Material costs are a big part of the paving. Check here for cost details for different types of paving materials.

How much is the cost per square foot of Asphalt Paving?

Asphalt is among the cheapest paving materials, which explains why it is a common feature in most driveways and parking areas in Canada.

• New asphalt driveway installation costs around $7 to $10 per square foot.

• Resurfacing old asphalt can cost about $4 to $6 per square foot.

• Asphalt repairs or patching cost around $300 to $1,000, depending on the area.

• Sealcoating needs to be done every 2–3 years and costs roughly $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

Asphalt is strong not without any maintenance. It is prone to cracking and requires to be sealed on a regular basis, especially in the provinces, e.g. Alberta and Ontario, which experience severe freeze-thaw; the paving costs are high.

Concrete Paving Costs in Canada

Concrete is more costly, but it is long-lasting. It would suit many areas or a person who wants a clean, modern look.

• A plain concrete driveway costs around $10 to $15 per square foot.

• Coloured or exposed aggregate concrete costs between $14 and $20 per square foot.

• Stamped concrete with decorative patterns can cost $18 to $25 or more per square foot.

In case of cold weather, concrete can crack very easily, unless it is properly installed. It is very crucial to prepare and seal the base properly. It also requires a long time to install and cure, compared to asphalt, which makes labour expensive.

Interlock Pavers and Natural Stone Costs

One of the highest quality paving choices is interlocking stone, as it is a high-quality choice combining aesthetics and durability.

• Basic interlock driveway starts at $14 to $20 per square foot.

• Premium patterns, borders, or custom colours may push costs to $25 to $35 per square foot.

• Natural stone paving can go as high as $40 per square foot or more, depending on the stone type.

Even though they are quite pricey in the initial stages, interlock pavers are highly resistant, low-maintenance, and repairing them consumes minimal effort. The reason is, they are also adaptable to the Canadian weather as a result of their flexibility and frost-resistance.

What is the cost of a Gravel Driveway in Canada?

The cheapest paving material is gravel and is mostly applied in the countryside or low-speed areas.

• Initial installation costs range from $1.50 to $4 per square foot.

• Annual maintenance, such as top-ups or grading, may cost $300 to $1,000

Gravel is very inexpensive and installs easily, but lacks the durability and cleanliness of other materials, as well as curb appeal.

How Much Does a Paving Contractor Cost?

Along with paving material costs, you have to consider the following costs.

Labour Costs and Regional Variations

A large percentage of the paving money is spent on labour charges. Labour is generally more costly in large Canadian cities where the cost of living is also higher and the demand is higher. In general, this is the picture:

• In Ontario and British Columbia, paving contractors may charge $75 to $120 per hour

• In Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, rates range from $65 to $100 per hour

• In Quebec and Atlantic Canada, rates tend to be slightly lower, averaging $60 to $95 per hour

The labour costs are also project-dependent. A more curvy, complex interlock driveway that requires more than one border occupies more hours as compared to a flat pour of concrete.

Hidden Costs and Site Preparation

What is beneath the surface can eat a large share of the budget. Any successful job that involves paving begins with proper site preparation.

Some of the crucial inputs of site preparation that are crucial are:

• Excavation and removal of old pavement: $1,500 to $3,000 for a standard residential driveway

• Grading and levelling: $1,000 to $2,500 depending on slope and soil conditions

• Base installation (gravel, crushed stone): $2 to $4 per square foot

• Drainage improvements like trench drains or French drains: $500 to $3,000

• Root or large rock removal: $300 to $2,000

They have it at Homebase. In its absence, despite the best paving materials, the roads will simply crack, settle or heave over time due to which they extremely susceptible to a given pavement material, in particular, the Canadian winters.

Fees and Permits Town Planning Ordinance

The kind of permits you require in Canada will vary depending on the location you are residing in. In most cases, paving activities like driveways may require you to request a permit so that the accessibility of the road, the surface level of imperviousness, or extension onto municipal property will be affected.

• Permit fees range from $50 to $500, and failing to get one can result in fines or project delays. Some cities also require grading plans or water drainage documentation, which can add another $500 to $1,500, depending on complexity.

• Do not hire a contractor without first reaching out to the building or the engineering department in your municipality. In certain areas, the paperwork will be taken care of by contractors on your part.

Paving Characteristics, Complications, and Worth

The extent of the area to be paved and the intricacy of your paving also contribute so much to the overall cost.

• The price of a single-car driveway (Approx 400 sq ft) is lower than that of a two-car driveway (Approx 800-1000 sq ft).

• The steeper sloped or treaded, or curved gardens need more planning and workmanship.

• The borders, inlays or lighting are examples of such features as they make it complex and use more material.

• Distinguishing design features and problematic site issues should be expected to increase cost by 10% to 25%.

Maintenance cost and long-term cost of ownership

Even when installed, it remains that the use of a paved surface requires common maintenance practices to maintain it in good condition.

Asphalt Maintenance

• Needs resealing every 2–3 years: costs around $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

• The cracks and potholes must be repaired immediately so that they do not spread any further.

• Total yearly maintenance budget: around $200 to $500 for a standard driveway.

Concrete Maintenance

• There is a need to seal the decorative or stamped concrete to safeguard the colour and surface.

• Tiny cracks can be filled, yet probably bigger problems can necessitate the substitution of the slabs.

• Annual maintenance budget: $300 to $600

Interlock and Pavior Care

• The joints should be refilled with the polymeric sand after a couple of years.

• Some little seasonal moss and weed work may be needed on it.

• There might be a need to reset the stone occasionally.

• Annual upkeep costs: $250 to $500

Things You Have to Consider When Choosing a Paving Contractor

The choice of the paving contractor is what matters more than the lowest bid. The wrong installation can prove to be costly to repair and can further shorten life.

In the case of hiring, the following is what to find:

• The contractor will obtain a local base desire by being a licensed and insured business.

• Posted portfolio-style photos of settings require referees to ask a question in the course of a presentation of another one of their earlier works.

• Demand to write fixed estimates, material, schedules, and write base areas and base areas payment and preparation.

• Make sure that the contractor offers at least a 1 to 3-year workmanship warranty.

• It is important to avoid anyone who insists on being paid full money at once or anyone who does not insist on a contract.

Reputable paving contractors will be open, explanatory, and will not make you feel hard-sell into having to decide over a short time frame. 

How to Save Money on Paving Projects in Canada

There are ways in which you can afford quality, without breaking the bank on paving. These are some of the good money-saving tips:

• Finally, this has to be scheduled during the off-season, like late fall or early spring, when contractors are not so busy.

• Combine several projects-make a driveway, do a walkway or a patio as well, so that the per-unit cost also drops.

• In the case of jobs that you are capable of completing, and the preparation of the site, like clearing the vegetation or old gravel.

• When you emphasize functionality, the decorative borders should not be there; neither should the fancy finishing be there, which costs too much.

• Keep your surface well-maintained so that you can prolong the expensive replacements.

DIY vs. Professional Installation: Is It Worth It?

• The concept of DIY could be quite attractive in terms of saving money, yet not necessarily so.

• Gravel and garden walkways formed as a single joined path or a small amount of path is DIY manageable.

• Asphalt concrete requires huge sets of machines, experience, and a knowledge base of base prep, curing, and drainage.

• It is easy to make costly mistakes with stamped concrete or guess at pavers.

Unless you are experienced and have the right tools, it is better to do a professional installation to guarantee the work will be done well and have a warranty.

What is the best time to pave in Canada?

The cost and quality may also be affected by time. In Canada, asphalt can only be applied during the late spring and early fall due to the weather conditions. Curing of asphalt and concrete is done at a specific temperature and humidity.

• Spring and summer are more expensive and demanding seasons.

• The previous fall would have had a better supply and prices.

• The problem with winter installations is that the ground gets frozen and not cured.

Early booking is done early in the season to ensure that you get the best contractors because their schedule fills up later.

Final Thoughts

In short, here is what most common paving jobs will cost in Canada:

• Basic asphalt driveway: $3,500 to $6,000


• Concrete driveway: $6,000 to $12,000


• Stamped or coloured concrete: $10,000 to $20,000


• Interlock paving: $12,000 to $25,000+


• Gravel driveway: $1,500 to $4,000

For walkways and patios, the average project costs fall between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on design and materials.

Smooth surface is even attractive looking aside from providing ease to smoothness of use and in some cases, resale. By allocating some time to read up, select the correct contractor, and prepare your location, you will be able to get the maximum out of your investment.