Poll

Should I get my driveway redone?

Yes, yes, yes! - it needs it
2 (33.3%)
Meh - it doesn't look too bad
1 (16.7%)
No - just leave it for the next owner to deal with
2 (33.3%)
Hell no! - If you can still drive on it then don't waste your dollar bills!
1 (16.7%)

Total Members Voted: 6

Author Topic: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?  (Read 2710 times)

webguy

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Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« on: July 19, 2015, 04:07:26 PM »
This is our first home and I'm not very confident in making decisions regarding spending a lot of money on redoing things. We're probably going to move in ~4 years and so we have a choice to either a) redo it now, b) redo it before we move, or c) just leave it for the next owner. I'm conscious of the fact that when selling the place curb-appeal and first impression can mean a lot, and right now it looks a bit of a mess!

Please take a look at the pictures below and let me know whether, in my position, you would redo the driveway with new asphalt.

More Info
- We bought the house 3 years ago and will probably be selling in approximately the next 4 years.
- We live in Minnesota and so driveways take a beating from salt, ice, shoveling, extreme temp changes etc.
- We've been quoted around $3800 for new asphalt, or $4500 for concrete. We're leaning towards asphalt and resealing it before we sell.
- We can afford to redo it, but it doesn't mean that I want to spend the money on it! If it makes any difference, we currently have about $500,000 in savings/investments.

Couple of Questions
1) Does anyone know whether this kind of expense is at least partially recouped by increasing the resale value of the home? I would imagine it is but couldn't find much info about this.
2) Any tips or advice from others who have had their driveway redone?

As I mentioned, I'm uneasy spending large sums of money on stuff and so am looking for a little reassurance that this is a good or necessary use of our money.

Thanks in advance and I hope you're all having a great weekend!

SwordGuy

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2015, 04:33:40 PM »
Depends on the neighborhood.   If other houses look like this and they are selling well, I wouldn't do it.   If most houses don't have this problem and those few who do aren't selling, then yep, might be good business to do it.


webguy

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2015, 07:16:03 PM »
Thank SwordGuy! It's a semi-nice neighborhood with houses in the $200-300k range. Some people obviously take better care of their property than others but I've been looking at other people's driveways the last few times I've been for a run and ours is probably one of the worst I've seen.

KBecks2

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2015, 05:34:57 AM »
Ask your real estate agent when you are about to sell and if you do it, do it then. (Unless it bothers YOU!)  Your driveway is perfectly functional as is.   We waited a LONG time before redoing ours, the new one looks great but it's just a driveway!! 

BlueHouse

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2015, 06:45:54 AM »
It depends. If you're going to just pour another river of blackness on top of the earth, then no, don't do it. Wait for the next owner who may use more earth-friendly and permeable pavers interspersed with grass or moss. I would see this as an opportunity to truly improve curb appeal by creating a beautiful pattern and more natural space.
Look on houzz.com for examples

webguy

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2015, 07:38:26 AM »
Wait for the next owner who may use more earth-friendly and permeable pavers interspersed with grass or moss. I would see this as an opportunity to truly improve curb appeal by creating a beautiful pattern and more natural space.
Look on houzz.com for examples

That sounds great in theory, and I appreciate the suggestion, but unfortunately it's not really practical for Minnesota winters. Our ground spends half the year covered in snow and ice and so needs to be sealed to prevent ice permeating it and needs to be smooth so that it can be easily shoveled or snowblowed. Permeable pavers wouldn't last the winter unfortunately. It needs to be tough, durable and watertight.

KBecks2

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2015, 07:51:39 AM »
I live in Wisconsin.  Asphalt is nice because the sun helps to melt on it.  Has it been troublesome for you as is??  It will just keep degrading but it will be torn out anyway at replacement.

KBecks2

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2015, 07:54:25 AM »
Since you have the cash, it's Ok to do it.  A new drive will look better.  It will still take a beating, and not be perfect but it will be a significant improvement and it's not much money to get back at sale.  You're only looking at 1% 1.5% of value.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2015, 07:56:24 AM by KBecks2 »

monarda

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Re: Need advice! Should I get my driveway redone?
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2015, 10:03:10 AM »
Probably not an issue for 99% of people, but it is for me. Our street is getting new sewers in 3 years and the whole street will be torn apart. I'm going to wait until after that's done to get a new driveway. The city will do the last few feet (the "apron").

Just something to keep in mind, and it probably won't apply to you.