Driveways are a crucial part of our day-to-day lives, whether it be at home or when we’re out and about. So, if you’re responsible for replacing a residential or commercial driveway, what’s the best value for money? Calculating a driveway cost per m2 isn’t a simple task, but it helps to start by determining your desired driveway material.
In this article, we compare the average costs involved with various driveway materials.
Driveway paving cost factors to consider
While this article explores the average driveway cost per m2 for various materials in Perth, there are many other factors that will affect the final price. Every project is unique, so your specific requirements will influence the overall driveway cost and may favour one material over another.
Aside from the material, the other major price influencing factors for driveways in Perth are the following:
Size of the driveway
A larger area means more material and more labour, so a higher overall cost. However, depending on the material, the cost per square metre often reduces with a larger area. For example, asphalt surfacing costs less per m2 for a large 800m2 driveway compared to a small one around 150m2.
Layout of the driveway
A driveway with many curves, slopes, and other complex manoeuvres may increase costs per m2.
Site preparation
The condition of the existing driveway, type of existing base material already in place and the amount of preparation work required can impact the cost. If the old surface needs to be removed, additional costs for demolition or excavation may be incurred, but in most cases, removal can be minimised or not required at all.
Site accessibility
The driveways proximity to the road and any obstacles that need to be removed or avoided will increase the driveway cost. Traffic management can be an important consideration on sites situated in main roads areas.
Regional factors
Industry costs vary year on year, so some transport material costs and labour requirements may be harder to find at various times.
Driveway contractor selection
Contractors will vary in price depending on their expertise, type and thickness of materials and quality standards. For a competitive driveway cost, get a free measure and quote for your large asphalt driveway project from NK Asphalt.
The NK Asphalt team preparing the basecourse for an asphalt surfacing project.
Compare the materials: Driveway paving cost per m2
Comparing the material costs for driveways depends on various aspects including its quality, its accessibility and the basework mixing or preparation before the asphalt is laid. The price ranges below try to factor in these considerations.
Asphalt driveway cost
Asphalt is the go-to surfacing material for large driveways in Perth and beyond. While there are various grades of asphalt, the best on the market is premium hot mix asphalt which provides a level of durability, flexibility and longevity that can’t be matched and is manufactured to meet Australian standards.
Given its composition, hot mix asphalt requires far less maintenance than most other driveway surfacing materials, reducing the amount you’ll spend on driveway repairs and resurfacing.
For large residential asphalt projects, you can expect to spend around $25 to $100 per m2. The reason for such a wide price range is that the site often has usable base material or an old asphalt surface in place that can be re-used, compared to higher costs for a completely new base and asphalt surface. Rates vary from project to project, but can be estimated initially to provide an indicative cost prior to a full quotation.
In fact, NK Asphalt only accepts projects that exceed 150m2 in area as our equipment is too bulky and costly to move otherwise. Find out more about calculating the cost of your asphalt surfacing project or contact us for a free measure and quote.
NK Asphalt laid asphalt to creare an attractive driveway entrance on a rural property.
Concrete driveway cost
Concrete driveway costs vary dramatically depending on the application of concrete. For a boring surface with a poor lifespan, plain concrete may cost as low as $60 per m2, but fancier concrete may cost upwards of $100 per m2.
With concrete, it’s important to note that a sloped surface will mean a higher driveway cost. A sloped standard finished concrete driveway can also be unsafe as the surface doesn’t provide as much grip, especially when wet. We recommend asphalt for sloped driveways of up to 1 in 5 gradients. A coarse surfaced concrete drive may be necessary on gradients over 1 in 5.
Concrete driveways also tend to crack and become stained far quicker than other materials. Not to mention, concrete driveway repairs and resurfacing are far more complicated processes, so the long-term cost will be high regardless.
Some of the most common concrete driveway applications are:
- Plain
- Coloured
- Stencilled concrete or exposed aggregate
An aged concrete driveway prior to removal and resurfacing with asphalt.
Paved driveway cost
Paved driveways are common with small suburban properties but are uncommon on long semi-rural driveways given their labour costs. Pavers are commonly priced between $50-$100 per m2 or more. Pavers are also one of the most diverse options given the wealth of options:
- Clay brick
- granite
- limestone
- sandstone
- coloured concrete
Brick pavers also require an underlying sub-base to support them on trafficable areas, which can add significant cost.
The other limitations of paved driveways include the gaps where weeds and moss can grow in between. Therefore, the paved driveway cost is compounded by the need for regular maintenance and weedicide use.
Bricks and other paving materials are prone to being displaced and creating an unsafe suface as pictured here.
Gravel driveway cost
Gravel is most often the cheapest option for a large driveway, but you get what you pay for. The gravel driveway cost per m2 can range from $20 to $100 depending on the stone used. Gravel, crushed granite and limestone vary greatly in cost, depending on their distance to the quarry due to transport costs.
All these driveways are prone to ruts and sinkholes forming, plus the surface will spray dust, dirt, and debris into the air when driving. These side effects mean a lot of maintenance is required, and the ongoing costs to repair and replace the loose surface is off-putting for many rural property owners.
Recycled Asphalt
The use of recycled asphalt is relatively new in Perth, with many contractors of various size and ability marketing the material for use on driveways and parking areas.
As it is based on a waste product which has been removed (profiled) from an old road or car park, the material can vary greatly in not just appearance, but cost and longevity as well.
The best way to see if this product suits your needs is to request actual site addresses that are older in order to see how they perform over the long term and to see the ongoing maintenance costs to maintain what is often a loose, uneven surface.
Doing the math on your driveway cost
Each surface material has its advantages and disadvantages, but asphalt proves a clear winner when all things are considered.
Hot mix asphalt is affordable from the beginning compared to most other surfacing materials, but it’s longevity and versatility provides the most value. Choosing asphalt means your driveway cost is spread out over a long period of time – upwards of 20 years or more. The maintenance and repair costs are less frequent and never amount to as much as other driveway surfaces.
Find your asphalt driveway cost with NK Asphalt
NK Asphalt is committed to providing well-planned and accurate driveway cost estimates. For large asphalt projects greater than 150m2, contact us below for a free measure and quote.
