Apart from your gate, your driveway is probably the first thing that people see about your home – and you know what they say about first impressions. Planning your driveway construction is more than about just deciding what materials to use and how wide it will be; you’ll need to consider how it will fit the overall appeal of your home and how it will match the other components of your exterior. It will also be a question of how much value it can add to your property, and in what ways.

Whether you’re planning a new driveway construction, or just repairing or re-surfacing an existing one, it required detailed planning if you want it to be beautifully done and long-lasting as well.

Asphalt is the driveway of choice for a lot of people, and although it requires the services of a licensed and qualified contractor, it is sure to give you at least two or three decades of faithful service with only a nominal amount of periodic maintenance.

If you’re somewhat of a socialite and you expect lots of cars to use your driveway, you might think of putting in a concrete one. Controlling the mix ratio of the concrete can make it dense enough to withstand years of continual wear. Not only that – there are lots of additional things you can do with concrete: stamping your initials for that royal monogrammed look, staining or coloring it, giving it a variety of textures for additional traction, and even using additives for a multitude of effects. The versatility will give you numerous options that will make your driveway construction unique.

Using pavers will give you that non-skid surface, and will also let you choose colors and patterns. Interlocking pavers and bricks come in different styles, from the modern to the traditional. They also make a great conversation for people visiting you for the first time.

Stone is probably more expensive than most materials in that it requires regular maintenance. However, you can achieve the look of old European cobblestone streets if it’s done right. It will not only give the additional grip to car tires, but it will add tremendous value to your property in the bargain; it can perfectly complement houses with traditional rough-hewn stone facades.

There are other things to consider before you begin your driveway construction. For example, you may not have access to your garage for a while and may have to park elsewhere while the work in underway and even when the concrete or pointing is in the process of curing. The major consideration, however, is the cost. Do a cost analysis of your project with accurate measurements and material estimates. A qualified contractor will be able to help you out here. Some will even do estimations for free if you’re going to be using them for the actual job. It’s very important that this work be carried out by an experienced contractor if you want your driveway construction to be sound and last a long time.

Material cost will obviously differ with different types: the cheapest is asphalt, at around a dollar and a quarter per square foot. Concrete runs about twice that much, and brick pavers or stone can go up to about ten dollars a square foot. If you have