"You wonâ t find a more honest, more professional or more skilled excavator/operator than Matt Mello, owner of South Shore excavation. Matt has now done two big jobs for me, the first being to rip out the old floor in our 4-car garage and install a new floor, the second being to dig up/expose and waterproof the garage foundation. In both cases, Mattâ s pricing was extremely fair, he delivered 100% on his promises, finished the work in a timely manner and left an immaculate job site every day. I really canâ t recommend Matt Mello & South Shore Excavation highly enough. If youâ re looking for a true professional who does what he says heâ s going to do, when he says heâ s going to do it, look no further."
"ASHPHALT DRIVEWAY, CONCRETE WALKWAY AND FENCE!! These are just three of the services we hired Gill Services for and did we hit the jackpot with them! Gill is multitalented and offers so many services, so don't be afraid to ask if he can add additional services to whatever you are thinking about. Gill and Isabela were a joy to work with! Hardworking, conscientious, responsive, GREAT listener, talented, efficient, creative and reasonably priced are just a few descriptions that come to mind immediately! Already have future projects lined up! If you don't contact them for a site visit and quote you will be the one missing out! Thank you to Gill, Isabela and your amazing crew!!"
"They are courteous and dedicated to the work they perform. Great communication skills and attention to the customer's needs and requests!!! We would definitely use their services again!!!"
JetBlack SealCoating is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a
\nstandard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is
\nthe quality of service we bring to our customers. We have accurate knowledge of our trade
The most common causes of sunken pavers are poor base preparation and insufficient compaction. The problem could also be how your pavers were installed. If the soil beneath your patio or walkway wasn't compacted, it will pull pavers down as it settles. Additionally, using bare soil instead of making a paver bed with compacted gravel and sand can cause sinking over time. To fix sunken pavers, consider recompacting the base and addressing any drainage or erosion issues in the area.
There’s no single best asphalt grade—it all comes down to where and how it’s used. Highways and heavy-traffic roads need something tough, like polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) or Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA). Local roads and parking lots rely on the Performance Graded (PG) system, chosen based on climate. A PG 64-28 mix, for example, handles a broad temperature range while simpler, more cost-effective mixes are typically enough for residential driveways. The best grade of asphalt depends on traffic, weather, and your budget, which is why a professional’s input is always a smart move before making a decision.
Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.
Yes, it is possible to pave over an existing driveway, but whether it's the right choice depends on several factors. If the underlying structure of your current driveway is still strong, concrete or asphalt resurfacing can be a cost-effective way to prolong its life. However, if your driveway has significant issues like potholes, deep cracks, or other inconsistencies, it is best to remove the old driveway and start from scratch. Key factors to consider include the current driveway's condition, the compatibility of the new material, the added thickness and height, and the necessary surface preparation.
A traditional driveway gate isn’t your only option when installing a barricade in front of your driveway. A security gate like a swing gate, double swing gate, bi-folding gate, vertical gate, or pivot gate could work just as well as your driveway gate—if not better for your home depending on which qualities you’re after. Like sliding driveway gates, many of these alternatives work with automatic features that simplify entering and exiting your property.
The Somerset, MA homeowners’ guide to paving services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost of a tar and chip driveway falls between gravel and asphalt. Is this unique process the happy medium you've been looking for? Let's take a look.
Get proactive with marketing for your paving contractor business. Use these paving marketing ideas (ranked by budget and experience level) to grow your business, get more leads, and earn more money.