"The normal lifecycle of working with anyone who does work on your house is: they do work, you inspect work, you see there's an issue, you bring the issue to the person doing the work, they try to convince you it's not a problem (even though it obviously is), you argue back and forth painstakingly until they finally fix what you asked them to, The lifecycle of working with South Shore Excavation is: they do amazing work, you feel fantastic about it. I have never worked with anyone who took such pride in their work as Matt and John. They were extremely hardworking, transparent on their progress and pricing throughout the project, and provided incredible customer service. I would recommend South Shore Excavation to anyone looking for any of the work they handle. I legitimately can't say enough great things about this company."
"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!!"
"Henry did a great job clearing snow for me, including shoveling walks and stairs. He took care to protect my stone walls. He was very professional and timely."
"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!!!"
Yes, you can put thin pavers over a concrete driveway. However, it's always best to talk to a driveway installer before starting. You'll need to ensure that the concrete below is in good enough shape to hold the pavers and that the driveway will still meet local building codes.
Decomposed granite and caliche can both harden into a solid surface using a plate compactor. However, due to decomposed granite’s fine particles, it’s not suitable for driveway surfaces. Some homeowners use pea gravel mixed with a gravel-binding resin to bind the loose stones and create a solid surface that won’t shift like loose gravel.
While blacktop is a type of asphalt, the terms should not be used interchangeably, as not all asphalt qualifies as blacktop. The primary differences are in their composition, production process, and ideal applications. Blacktop contains more stone than other types of asphalt and is heated to a higher temperature during production—300°F or more—while hot-mix asphalt is heated to between 275°F and 300°F. The ratio of bitumen (a tar-like crude oil) is a key differentiator, though sources vary: some state blacktop has less bitumen, making it less durable, while others claim it has a higher ratio. Due to these differences, asphalt is generally more durable and better for high-traffic areas like highways and streets, while blacktop is more suitable for playgrounds and residential driveways. For a driveway project, it is best to consult a professional to determine the most appropriate material.
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.
While it may be less expensive initially to lay concrete vs. pavers, the long-term expenses that come with repairing concrete may prove to be less cost-friendly than simply replacing a few damaged pavers. On top of that, stamped concrete may only last for 25 years compared to pavers, which can last over 50 years.
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.