When paving a driveway or a patio, Kiwi homeowners often debate between two options: hiring residential asphalt contractors or rolling up their sleeves for a DIY project.
While both approaches have their appeal, there’s a lot to consider before making a decision, and we’d like to help you make yours. Let’s break down the key differences between trusting a team and tackling the job on your own so you can decide what’s best for your property.
The Cost Factor: Upfront vs. Long-Term
One of the main reasons homeowners consider tackling asphalt projects the DIY way is to save money in exchange for putting in some extra time and effort. After all, DIYing your asphalt paving is an attractive option, especially for smaller areas. If you already have some essential tools and know-how, this might be the right choice for you.
However, hidden costs don’t take long to creep in. Purchasing new equipment and sourcing your asphalt are both upfront costs, but the biggest potential cost might not crop up for a few months: mistakes.
Uneven surfaces or improper sealing can lead to difficult repairs down the road, and these can often cost more than hiring a professional in the first place. Inexperienced property owners jumping into asphalt paving for the first time will likely make a mistake or two. It’s just the nature of doing something new. But if your reason for doing it yourself is to save money, this might not work as well as you’d like.
On the other hand, professional contractors come with the skills, tools, and experience to get the job done right the first time.
The initial investment may be larger, but the long-term savings offered by trusting the pros can quickly outweigh this. Professionally paved asphalt surfaces can stand up to the test of time, requiring less maintenance and boosting the going rate of your property.
The Durability Problem: How Long the Work Lasts
Paving an asphalt surface might look simple, but achieving a smooth, durable finish takes more than following a YouTube tutorial. From properly preparing the base to ensuring the correct asphalt mix, a lot can unfortunately go wrong. Even minor missteps can result in cracks, dips, or water pooling after just one rainy season—and New Zealand has plenty of those.
Professional asphalt contractors have the training and equipment to deliver high-quality results, regardless of what the weather has in mind. We know how to handle tricky terrain, use the right materials for the changeable Kiwi climate, and apply techniques that extend the life of your paving.
Efficiency & Time Commitment
Unless we’re talking about a very small area, tackling paving is not a weekend project. It’s a major undertaking. Aside from preparing and laying the asphalt, there are several steps that require a lot of time and effort. Preparing the ground, hauling materials, laying the asphalt, and properly compacting it is a tall order for someone new to the process. Without the right equipment, the paving process can drag on, and delays can even impact the quality of the set surface.
Hiring professional residential asphalt contractors means you’ll have a team that has the staffing, tools, and prior know-how to get the work done efficiently.
What might take you a week to finish can likely be done in a matter of a couple of days by a skilled paving crew, and you won’t have to deal with the associated stress if something goes wrong.
Overall, while jumping into some DIY paving might seem tempting, thinking about the bigger picture is crucial. Taking on this work for yourself only makes sense if you have some prior experience, already have the equipment to do the job, and are prepared to take on a small area.
That said, in almost all other cases, we’d recommend relying on the pros.
Long Term Savings
As we’ve covered, opting for a professional team means you’re not just hiring contractors; you’re investing in a job done right. Expert residential asphalt contractors know how to create durable, high-quality surfaces that last. They have the skills to get the job done quickly and correctly. Best of all, they get on with the work while you relax, assured that you won’t have to worry about any r major repairs in your immediate future.
So, what’s our verdict? While DIY might save money upfront, the long-term benefits of hiring professional asphalt services generally make them the wiser choice.
If you’re considering a paving project in the near future, take the time to weigh your options carefully. It pays to reach out and get a quote from a professional paver so you can proceed with all the right information and make your decision accordingly.
Peace of mind with a professional team.
After fifty years in the business and with many more on the horizon, we have everything you need to enjoy a seamless asphalt paving experience.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with our team of amazing residential asphalt contractors today and take the first step toward a driveway, pavement, or courtyard you can be proud of.