Question 1

How much does asphalt paving cost for a driveway in Montclair, NJ?

Accepted Answer

Asphalt driveway installation in the Montclair area typically runs $5 to $9 per square foot installed, which puts a standard two-car driveway of roughly 400 to 600 square feet in the $3,000 to $5,500 range. Montclair lots often come with complicating factors that affect price: steep grades that require additional drainage work, tight access that limits equipment, tree roots near the edges, or Belgian block curbing that needs to be set or reset as part of the job. Every driveway is different, and the only accurate number comes from an on-site assessment. We provide free estimates — call (973) 592-9369 and we will walk the job with you.

Question 2

Does my Montclair driveway project need a permit from the Township?

Accepted Answer

The private driveway behind your property line typically does not require a permit on its own. However, the driveway apron — the section between your property line and the street — falls within the public right-of-way and almost always requires a permit through Montclair's Engineering Division. If your property is in one of the Township's local historic landmark districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission may also be required before exterior paving work can begin. We handle the permit coordination as part of the project and make sure all work is built to the Township's current specs, including the thicker apron section the right-of-way requires.

Question 3

My Montclair driveway cracks every spring — is that normal, and can it be fixed?

Accepted Answer

Seasonal cracking in Montclair driveways is common but not inevitable — it is a sign the driveway was not built with adequate base depth or drainage, or that an aging base has been compromised by water infiltration over time. The freeze-thaw cycle in this part of NJ pushes through the pavement surface wherever water is sitting below. If the cracking is surface-level and the base is sound, crack sealing followed by sealcoating can stop further infiltration and extend the life of the driveway significantly. If the cracking covers most of the surface in an alligator pattern, the base has likely failed and resurfacing or replacement is the honest fix. We assess the base condition during every estimate and tell you what is actually going on.