Your driveway isn’t just a place to park. It’s the first thing people see when they pull up to your home or business. It takes a beating from New Jersey winters, summer heat, and everything you drive over it. When it starts cracking, settling, or looking like it’s seen better days, you’re stuck wondering who you can trust to fix it without cutting corners.
Here’s what matters: a driveway or parking lot that holds up for decades, not just a few years. That means proper base preparation, the right thickness of asphalt for your needs, and drainage that actually works. It means a crew that focuses on your project—not one that’s rushing off to three other jobs before lunch.
You end up with a smooth, durable surface that handles the freeze-thaw cycles we get around here. No premature cracking. No water pooling by your garage. Just a solid investment that protects your property value and makes your life easier.
We bring over 75 years of family expertise to every paving job in Califon and the surrounding area. Our roots in the asphalt industry date back to 1948, combining old-school craftsmanship with the knowledge that comes from doing this work the right way, year after year.
What sets us apart is simple: we focus on one job at a time. Our crew isn’t split between five different sites, trying to squeeze your project in between bigger jobs. When we’re working on your driveway or parking lot, that’s where our attention stays until it’s done right.
Califon is the kind of place where reputation matters. People talk. Word gets around about who does quality work and who doesn’t. That’s why we’ve built a track record of five-star reviews and repeat customers—by treating every property owner with the same level of care, whether it’s a residential driveway or a commercial parking lot.
First, we come out to look at your property. Not to give you a quick estimate and disappear—to actually assess what you’re dealing with. We check the current condition, drainage situation, and any issues that could cause problems down the road. You get a clear explanation of what needs to happen and why, along with transparent pricing.
Once you’re ready to move forward, our crew handles the prep work. If your old driveway needs to come out, we remove it. If the base needs attention, we fix it before any asphalt goes down. This is the part many contractors rush through, and it’s exactly why some driveways fail in just a few years. Proper grading and a solid base aren’t optional—they’re what keeps your asphalt from cracking and settling.
Then comes the paving. The right thickness for your specific needs, whether that’s a residential driveway that sees regular car traffic or a commercial lot handling heavier vehicles. Our crew works methodically, making sure everything is compacted properly and drainage flows where it should. You get updates throughout the project, so you’re never left wondering what’s happening or when we’ll be done.
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We handle the full range of paving work. Residential driveways are a core focus—whether you need a complete replacement or you’re installing asphalt for the first time. We work with homeowners to find solutions that fit the property’s layout, address any drainage concerns, and deliver a finished product that enhances curb appeal.
Commercial and industrial projects get the same attention to detail. Parking lots, access roads, and larger-scale paving installations all require proper planning and execution. Our crew has the equipment and expertise to handle these jobs efficiently while minimizing disruption to your business operations.
Water management is another critical piece. Around Califon, you’ve got properties with varying terrain, older infrastructure, and drainage challenges that can’t be ignored. We incorporate grading and water management solutions into our paving work, preventing the pooling and erosion issues that shorten asphalt lifespan. We also offer specialized discounts for seniors, military personnel, and first-time customers—because quality paving should be accessible to everyone who needs it.
For most residential driveways in this area, 2 to 3 inches of asphalt over a properly compacted base is the standard. That thickness handles regular car traffic without issue—sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, the vehicles you’re parking every day.
If you’re dealing with heavier vehicles regularly, like RVs, work trucks, or equipment, you’d want to go thicker—closer to 4 inches. But for the average homeowner, adding extra thickness beyond what’s needed is just spending money you don’t have to spend. What matters more than thickness alone is the base underneath. A solid, well-compacted base of 4 to 6 inches of crushed stone is what keeps your driveway from settling and cracking prematurely, regardless of how thick the asphalt layer is.
It depends on the condition of what’s already there. If your current driveway has minor surface issues—some cracking, wear, but the base is still solid—an overlay can work. You’re essentially adding a new layer of asphalt on top, which costs less because there’s no demolition or hauling involved.
But if your driveway is a mess—major cracks, potholes, sections that have settled or heaved—an overlay is just putting new asphalt on top of a failing base. That’s a waste of money. You’ll end up with the same problems showing through in a year or two. Tearing out the old driveway and starting fresh gives you a proper base, correct grading, and a surface that’s actually going to last. A reputable contractor will tell you honestly which option makes sense for your situation, not just sell you whichever one is easier for them.
With proper installation and regular maintenance, you’re looking at 25 to 30 years. That’s assuming the base was done right, the asphalt was applied at the correct thickness, and you’re taking care of it over the years.
Maintenance isn’t complicated. Sealcoating every few years protects the surface from UV damage, water infiltration, and the wear that comes from our freeze-thaw cycles. Filling cracks when they’re small prevents them from turning into bigger problems. Ignoring maintenance can cut that lifespan in half—suddenly you’re looking at replacement after 10 or 15 years instead of 30. The other factor is installation quality. A driveway that was rushed, installed over a poor base, or done with subpar materials isn’t going to make it to 25 years no matter how much you maintain it. That’s why choosing the right contractor from the start matters so much.
For residential driveway paving in this area, you’re typically looking at somewhere between $8 and $12 per square foot for a quality job that includes proper excavation, base work, and asphalt installation. A standard two-car driveway might run anywhere from $4,500 to $8,000 depending on size, condition, and any site-specific challenges.
Commercial paving costs vary more widely based on the scope—parking lots, access roads, and industrial sites all have different requirements. The price you pay should reflect the work being done: removal of old material if needed, proper base preparation, adequate asphalt thickness, and attention to drainage. If you’re getting quotes that seem too good to be true, they probably are. Low-ball estimates often mean shortcuts—thinner asphalt, poor base work, or a crew that’s going to rush through and move on to the next job. You’re better off paying fair market rate for work that’s done right the first time.
Start by checking their track record. Look for reviews from actual customers, not just testimonials on their website. Platforms like Angie’s List, Google, and local business directories give you unfiltered feedback about how contractors perform. Pay attention to whether they show up on time, communicate clearly, and handle any issues that come up during the job.
Ask about their process. A good contractor will explain what they’re going to do and why—not just give you a price and expect you to sign. They should talk about base preparation, drainage, asphalt thickness, and how they’ll handle your specific site conditions. If they’re vague or rushing through the explanation, that’s a red flag. Also ask who’s actually doing the work. Some companies subcontract everything out, which means the people you’re talking to aren’t the ones on your property. You want a contractor who’s directly involved, not just coordinating other crews.
The number one culprit is poor base preparation. If the base isn’t compacted properly or if it’s too thin, the asphalt above it will crack and settle as the ground shifts. Water is the other big factor—when it gets into cracks or seeps under the edges, it weakens everything. During winter, that water freezes and expands, making small cracks bigger.
Drainage issues accelerate the whole process. If water pools on your driveway or doesn’t have anywhere to go, it’s constantly working against the asphalt. New Jersey’s freeze-thaw cycles are tough on any paving material, but asphalt holds up well when it’s installed correctly. The driveways that fail after just a few years are almost always the result of shortcuts during installation—thin asphalt, inadequate base, poor drainage, or a combination of all three. That’s why the contractor you choose matters more than the price you pay.
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