Is it cheaper to seal your own driveway?

You can save around $1.15 per square foot on labor costs if you seal your driveway yourself. For a 500-foot driveway, that's a savings of $575.

angi.com - How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Asphalt Driveway? - Angie's List

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The average cost to seal an asphalt driveway is $470

Get quotes from up to 3 pros ! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Find pros Driveway sealing costs $470 on average, with a typical range between $250 and $770. The price depends on factors like the size of your driveway, and the type of sealant and coating you choose. At the lower end, you could pay as little as $110. At the top end, you may pay up to $1,500. Your driveway is more than a place to park your car. It's the first thing visitors see when they pull up and can be a place to make memories playing ball or greeting friends. To keep your driveway in tip-top shape, you can have a professional seal your asphalt every few years. Let’s break down the cost.

Low Cost Average Cost High Cost $110 $470 $1,500

What Factors Influence the Cost to Seal a Driveway?

Many factors determine how much you'll pay to seal your driveway. Consider the size of your driveway, the type of driveway sealant , whether you have other areas that also need sprucing up and resealing, how durable you need the surfaces to be, and whether you want any special enhancements.

Size of the Driveway

Given that most contractors charge by the square foot, it's unsurprising that the size of your driveway impacts the cost of having it sealed. You'll pay between $1.25 and $1.50 per square foot for materials and labor. If your driveway is only a few hundred feet, you may pay more than this, as many contractors have a minimum fee for projects like this. If you’re looking for more parking space, the cost to pave a parking lot is about $75,000 on average, depending on how large it is.

Type of Sealant

The type of sealant you choose determines how much you pay per square foot. Most sealants come in 5-gallon or 55-gallon units and, on average, you'll get up to 500 square feet of coverage per 5 gallons. However, the amount of coverage you get depends on how gooey the sealer is. Very thick sealants will provide less coverage per 5 gallons but are likely to have a better, more durable finish.

Sealing Other Areas

Many contractors have a minimum fee for resealing jobs, so if your driveway is pretty small, having other areas, like concrete pathways or patios, resealed at the same time could give you the best value for your money.

One Coat or Two

Consider asking your contractor for a second coat if your driveway gets a lot of regular traffic or holds heavier vehicles. An additional coat will increase the cost of sealing the driveway, but it shouldn't double it, as much of the time-consuming work, like cleaning and prepping the surface, was already done for the first coat.

Extent of the Damage

If you've been putting off resealing your driveway for the past few years, there's a good chance it's got a fair bit of damage like spiderweb cracks, pitting, craze cracks, or small holes. It's okay; life happens. But it does mean that you'll likely need a thicker, more durable sealant like latex acrylic that can fix those issues for you. A top coat can extend the life of your driveway by at least a decade, but it's only best if you have damaged asphalt that isn't at the end of its life. The cost of an overlay is considerably less than having a brand-new driveway installed. However, if you've got more extensive damage, you'll need fill-and-seal, which is the most costly option for resealing. Labor prices for fill-and-seal projects cost between $0.60 and $1.75 per square foot due to the more extensive process. Lastly, if the asphalt is crumbling, there are big holes, and the asphalt is reaching the end of its life, you may want to think about the cost of installing a new asphalt driveway .

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Enhancements

Boost your home's curb appeal by asking your contractor for a driveway makeover while they're resealing it. Consider having a design stamped into the sealcoat, getting it dyed a fun new color, or maybe having some pavers added to the perimeter for a touch of elegance. Just remember that the cost of a custom driveway finish is more than a standard sealcoat application.

Labor Cost to Sealcoat a Driveway

The labor cost of driveway sealing is, on average, $1.15 per square foot. So if you don't fancy trying to reseal the driveway yourself, you'll pay around $575 per 500 feet or $1,150 per 1,000 feet. Remember, too, some contractors have a minimum labor fee, so if you only have a small area, you'll pay the same labor costs as the contractor's minimum fee.

Cleaning

Contractors will either include the cost of a final power wash in your driveway sealing cost or offer it as an additional service. In either case, assume the process will cost an extra $0.27 to $0.39 per square foot.

Service Fees

Working with a local contractor means that you may pay a general service or project fee that covers overhead expenses. A service fee will likely cover travel, insurance, permits, and use of equipment. The fee will range from $100 to $200, or may set the minimum amount necessary to book the job.

Driveway Sealing Cost by Sealant Type

Which sealant you choose impacts the cost of the project significantly. If you live in a temperate climate and your driveway never gets too hot or too cold, you won't need a fancy top-of-the-line sealant. But if your driveway gets buried under a foot of snow or scorches in the desert sun, it's a good idea to choose a UV- and weather-resistant sealant with a long lifespan, or you'll have to reseal multiple times each year.

Coal Tar

Coal tar driveway sealant is the least expensive, at $0.06 to $0.10 per square foot, and lasts two to four years. However, this material contains large quantities of carcinogens that may run off and pollute your soil and leech into the water table. The impact is so significant that many areas now prohibit the use of coal tar sealants. So while these sealants are still an option in some areas for those on a tight budget, if you're concerned with your environmental impact, or you grow fruit, vegetables, or herbs on your property, this is probably not the best choice.

Fast-Drying Sealcoat Cost

Synthetic fast-drying asphalt sealcoating needs replacing every two to three years. They typically cost around $0.10 per square foot. Fast-drying options are less harmful to the environment than coal tar, although they still release some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This sealant dries and cures comparatively quickly and is ready to drive on in 24 hours.

Asphalt Emulsion

Asphalt emulsion costs between $0.08 and $0.10 per square foot. Asphalt emulsion is a popular choice, as it's moderately priced and better for the environment than coal tar and fast-drying sealers. It's also more durable, lasting four years or more in the right conditions. However, you must apply it in warm weather, and it's susceptible to stains from oil and gasoline spills. So if you haven't been able to part with your old high school ride, choose a more stain-resistant sealer or park your car on the street instead.

Latex Acrylic

Latex acrylic is one of the more expensive driveway sealers, but it's non-toxic and doesn't stain easily. A blend of synthetic polymers and acrylics, this type of latex sealant costs $0.20 to $0.25 per square foot. Acrylic isn't the best choice for DIYers though, as it's difficult to spread. However, it's an excellent option if you've got deep cracks or moderately sized pits and holes that need to be filled. It's also UV-resistant, so it holds up well in hot climates. With basic care, this sealant can last five to 10 years. And, because it's stable and non-toxic, it doesn't give off any potentially harmful volatile organic compounds or VOCs.

Oil-Based Asphalt Sealers

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Oil-based sealants are less common than acrylic or latex emulsions, but they're a solid compromise for those on a tight budget. These sealants cost $0.15 to $0.20 per square foot, last up to four years, are less damaging to the environment than coal tar, and are great for filling shallow cracks and holes.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly asphalt sealants, like BioSealCoat, are the most expensive, at $0.25 to $0.38 per square foot. However, they also have the most negligible impact on the environment and a reasonable lifespan of up to five years.

Fill-and-Seal

Fill-and-seal is a thick sealant that contains some aggregate, such as crushed stone, coarse sand, or gravel, and is similar to the asphalt currently on your driveway. It essentially allows you to patch damaged areas and fill substantial cracks and holes. This kind of patching method costs $0.35 to $0.50 per square foot and, once dry, still requires a top coat of regular sealer.

How Much Does Asphalt Driveway Sealing Cost Near You?

State Range Average Florida $250–$1,515 $600 California $945–$3,190 $1,990 Texas $940–$3,950 $2,450 Colorado $880–$1,690 $1,280 Missouri $150–$1,600 $445 Ohio $125–$900 $370 Maine $275–$1,700 $770 New York $125–$850 $330

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Sealing a driveway yourself should be left to experienced DIYers who are already familiar with sealing materials and the tools needed to do it properly. If not, it's best to leave this one to the professionals. While you can tackle the project with hand tools, using commercial equipment—often not available to the public—is best for the longevity of your driveway. Remember, timing is everything when sealing a driveway. If you do choose to handle it yourself, you must wait for at least three consecutive days without rain. The temperature must also be between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Driveway Yourself?

You can save around $1.15 per square foot on labor costs if you seal your driveway yourself. For a 500-foot driveway, that's a savings of $575. Just remember, if your DIY goes wrong, you'll need to hire a professional asphalt sealer to fix any sealing mishaps, so it could end up costing you more.

How to Save Money on Driveway Sealing

You can also save a bit of cash when hiring a professional to seal your driveway, with these tips: Keep up with basic driveway maintenance in between resealings. Patching small cracks can keep larger craters from forming. Speak with at least three driveway sealing contractors to compare quotes and customer testimonials. When choosing a less-expensive type of sealant, remember to consider the long-term costs of potential repairing or resealing the driveway in the future. Speak with local contractors about off-season deals—when the weather is still appropriate—or options to cut costs by booking contractors for mid-week jobs.

angi.com - How Much Does It Cost to Seal an Asphalt Driveway? - Angie's List