Getting Your Driveway Paved This Year? Complete Checklist

Your Complete Driveway Paving Checklist

Paving a driveway is one of the larger home improvement investments you will make. A well-planned project goes smoothly, finishes on schedule, and produces a surface that lasts 20 to 30 years. A poorly planned project leads to delays, unexpected costs, and sometimes a result that falls short of expectations.

This checklist walks you through every step from initial planning to post-paving care. Use it as your roadmap whether this is your first paving project or a replacement of an aging driveway.

Phase 1: Planning (2 to 3 Months Before Paving)

Choose Your Timing

Oregon's paving season is driven by weather. Asphalt requires air temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, dry conditions, and no rain in the forecast.

Best months: June, July, August, September

Good months: May, October (weather dependent)

Avoid: November through April (too wet and cold for reliable paving)

If you are aiming for a summer paving date, start the planning process in March or April. Contractors fill their schedules quickly once the dry season arrives.

Set Your Budget

Know what you can spend before getting estimates. Typical residential driveway costs in Oregon:

| Driveway Size | Estimated Cost Range | |---|---| | Single car (250-400 sq ft) | $2,500 - $5,000 | | Two car (500-700 sq ft) | $4,500 - $8,000 | | Long rural (800-1,200 sq ft) | $7,000 - $14,000 | | With turnaround area | Add $2,000 - $5,000 |

These ranges include demolition of existing pavement, base preparation, and 3 inches of asphalt. Your actual cost depends on existing conditions, access difficulty, and site-specific factors.

For more detailed pricing, visit our residential paving page.

Check for Permits and HOA Requirements

Before contacting contractors:

• Call your city or county building department to ask if your project requires permits
• Review your HOA covenants if applicable, for driveway material, color, or design restrictions
• Check setback requirements if you are expanding the driveway footprint
• Note any easements on your property survey that affect the driveway area

Most straightforward repaving projects on the same footprint do not need permits in Oregon. Expansions, new curb cuts, and drainage changes typically do.

Research Contractors

Start building your short list of contractors to contact:

• [ ] Search Oregon CCB website for licensed paving contractors in your area
• [ ] Read Google reviews and BBB ratings
• [ ] Ask neighbors, friends, and coworkers for recommendations
• [ ] Check local community groups and Nextdoor for suggestions
• [ ] Verify each contractor has an active CCB license and insurance

Aim for 3 to 5 contractors to contact for estimates. Watch for the warning signs of unreliable contractors as you narrow your list.

Phase 2: Getting Estimates (6 to 8 Weeks Before Paving)

Schedule Site Visits

Contact your shortlisted contractors and schedule on-site estimates. A legitimate paving estimate requires a physical visit to your property. Any contractor who quotes a price over the phone or based on a satellite image alone is not doing their homework.

What to Ask During the Estimate Visit

Have these questions ready for each contractor:

• [ ] What is your CCB license number?
• [ ] Do you self-perform the work or subcontract it?
• [ ] What asphalt thickness do you recommend for my situation?
• [ ] What base preparation is included?
• [ ] How do you handle drainage?
• [ ] What is your warranty coverage?
• [ ] Can you provide addresses of recent local projects?
• [ ] What is your estimated timeline for this project?
• [ ] How do you handle unexpected conditions found during excavation?

Compare Estimates

Once you have written estimates from at least three contractors, compare them systematically:

• [ ] Are the material specifications the same? (Asphalt type, thickness, base depth)
• [ ] Does each estimate include the same scope of work?
• [ ] Are demolition and hauling included or extra?
• [ ] Is base preparation specified or listed as "as needed"?
• [ ] What warranty does each contractor offer?
• [ ] Are payment terms reasonable? (No more than 20 percent deposit)

The lowest price is not automatically the best choice. An estimate that specifies 2 inches of asphalt over "existing base" is a fundamentally different project than one specifying 3 inches over 6 inches of new compacted aggregate.

Select Your Contractor

After comparing estimates, checking references, and visiting completed projects:

• [ ] Choose the contractor who offers the best combination of specifications, price, reputation, and communication
• [ ] Review and sign the written contract
• [ ] Confirm the contract includes all specifications discussed during the estimate
• [ ] Pay the agreed deposit (typically 10 to 20 percent)
• [ ] Get the scheduled start date in writing

Phase 3: Pre-Project Preparation (1 to 2 Weeks Before Paving)

Property Preparation

• [ ] Move all vehicles off the driveway and out of the work zone
• [ ] Remove planters, trash bins, basketball hoops, and decorations from the driveway area
• [ ] Trim back any vegetation overhanging the driveway by at least 3 feet
• [ ] Mark sprinkler heads, landscape lighting, and irrigation lines near the driveway
• [ ] Note any underground utilities (gas, water, cable) that run near or under the driveway
• [ ] Ensure the contractor has called 811 for utility locates
• [ ] Clear a path for construction equipment to access the work area

Neighbor Notification

• [ ] Let adjacent neighbors know about the upcoming construction (dates, expected noise, equipment)
• [ ] Coordinate with neighbors if their vehicles might block equipment access
• [ ] Notify shared-driveway neighbors if the project affects common areas

Logistics

• [ ] Arrange alternative parking for the project duration (3 to 5 days typically)
• [ ] Plan access to your home (you may need to use a side door or garage walk-through)
• [ ] Keep pets indoors or in a fenced area away from the work zone
• [ ] Consider the impact on mail and package delivery

Phase 4: Paving Day and Construction

What to Expect

Day 1: Demolition and Excavation

• Existing pavement is removed and hauled away
• Base material is excavated if replacement is needed
• You will hear heavy equipment from early morning

Day 2: Base Preparation

• New aggregate base is delivered and placed
• Compaction with vibratory roller
• Final grading to establish proper drainage slope

Day 3: Paving

• Asphalt delivery trucks arrive (hot mix at 275-325 degrees F)
• Paver spreads asphalt to specified thickness
• Roller compacts the surface
• Detail work around edges, garage apron, and transitions

During Construction

• [ ] Be available for a brief walkthrough at the start of the project
• [ ] Stay clear of the work zone for your safety
• [ ] Keep children and pets away from equipment and hot asphalt
• [ ] Ask questions if you see something that concerns you
• [ ] Do not walk on fresh asphalt

Final Walkthrough

• [ ] Walk the completed driveway with the contractor
• [ ] Check for smooth, even surface without visible seams or rough spots
• [ ] Verify water drains away from your garage and foundation
• [ ] Confirm edges are clean and transitions are smooth
• [ ] Note any areas that need touch-up
• [ ] Take photos of the completed project for your records

Phase 5: Post-Paving Care

First Week

• [ ] Keep all vehicles off the new asphalt for at least 3 days (5 days in hot weather)
• [ ] Do not place heavy objects on the surface (dumpsters, loaded trailers)
• [ ] Avoid walking on the surface with high heels or pointed shoes

First 6 Months

• [ ] Avoid parking in the same spot for extended periods
• [ ] Do not turn steering wheels while the vehicle is stationary
• [ ] Keep sharp objects off the surface (jack stands, kickstands)
• [ ] Clean oil or fuel spills immediately with kitty litter and mild detergent
• [ ] The surface may feel slightly soft in hot weather during the first summer, which is normal

First Year

• [ ] Schedule first sealcoat application after 6 to 12 months of curing
• [ ] Inspect for any settlement or drainage issues
• [ ] Contact your contractor if you notice any warranty-related concerns

Ongoing Maintenance

• [ ] Sealcoat every 2 to 3 years
• [ ] Fill cracks promptly when they appear
• [ ] Keep the surface clean of debris and standing water
• [ ] Trim vegetation away from driveway edges

For a complete seasonal maintenance guide, see our asphalt maintenance calendar for Oregon. Check our FAQ page for answers to other common questions about driveway care.

Print This Checklist

Save or print this page to use as a reference throughout your project. A successful driveway paving project comes down to preparation, choosing the right contractor, and following through with proper care after the work is done.

Ready to start? Contact us for a free on-site assessment of your driveway project.