Driveway Contractors in Detroit, MI: How to Choose

Why Choosing the Right Driveway Contractors in Detroit, MI Matters

Detroit’s freeze-thaw cycles, heavy lake-effect snow, and salt-covered roads punish driveways harder than almost any other U.S. city. A poorly installed slab or recycled asphalt job can heave, spall, or pothole in a single winter—costing you thousands in early replacement. The right contractor understands Michigan soil, city permits, and the best materials for our climate.

Below is a step-by-step playbook Detroit homeowners use to vet driveway contractors, avoid scams, and lock in a finish that looks great for 25-plus years.

Driveway Types That Perform Best in Detroit Weather

Before you request quotes, decide which surface fits your budget, aesthetics, and maintenance tolerance. Each type has local installers who specialize in it; narrowing your list early saves time.

1. Concrete with Air-Entrained Mix

Air-entrainment creates tiny bubbles that give freezing water room to expand, cutting freeze-thaw cracking by up to 40 %. Look for a 6-sack, 4,000 psi mix with 6 % air content and fiber mesh. Detroit contractors should also add a ¾-inch slump to survive our salt brine.

2. Heated Driveway Systems (Electric or Hydronic)

Popular in Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield Hills, radiant heat keeps surfaces above 34 °F, eliminating shoveling and salt damage. Installation runs $18–$30 per sq ft but extends concrete life by 15 years on average.

3. Permeable Pavers

Wayne County’s storm-water rules are tightening. Permeable systems reduce runoff fees and ice buildup because melt-water drains through. Choose pavers rated for 9,000 psi and confirm your contractor has ICPI certification.

4. Recycled Asphalt (RAP) with Rejuvenator Oil

Eco-friendly and 30 % cheaper than virgin asphalt. Ask if the plant added 0.5 % rejuvenator oil; it re-bonds aged binder and resists Detroit’s salt brine. Seal within 6 months for best results.

How to Research Driveway Contractors in Detroit, MI

Step 1: Build a Shortlist of 5 Local Companies

• Use Google Business Profiles filtered to “Open 24 hours”—many Detroit crews start at 5 a.m. to beat summer heat; responsiveness now signals service later.
• Cross-check the list on Michigan’s LARA license lookup and Detroit’s contractor permit portal.
• Eliminate anyone without a Michigan Residential Maintenance & Alteration license (you need this for any concrete over 4 inches).

Step 2: Read Detroit-Specific Reviews

Look for reviews that mention “frost heave,” “salt damage,” or “city inspector.” Positive feedback on winter durability is gold. Ignore generic “great job” posts.

Step 3: Verify Insurance & Bonding

Minimum coverage should be $1 M general liability plus $500 K on vehicle policy (concrete trucks are heavy). Ask for the COI (certificate of insurance) emailed directly from the agent, not the contractor.

10 Must-Ask Questions Before You Sign

1. Do you pull the Detroit Building Safety permit, or is that my responsibility?
2. Will you call MISS DIG 3 business days before breaking ground?
3. What’s the PSI, air %, and slump of the concrete you’ll order?
4. Do you use rebar or fiber alone, and at what spacing?
5. How will you slope the surface (minimum 1 % per foot) to keep melt-water out of my basement?
6. Can you provide a recent Detroit address where I can view your work from the street?
7. What is your start date and weather-related delay policy?
8. Do you seal joints and edges, and is that cost included?
9. Is cleanup and disposal of old asphalt included in the bid?
10. Will you supply a written warranty longer than one year?

Any hesitation on permits or PSI specs is a red flag. Detroit inspectors will red-tag sub-standard work, and you’ll pay to tear it out.

2024 Driveway Costs in Metro Detroit

Prices include standard 16 ft × 40 ft (640 sq ft) tear-out and replacement. Add 10 % if your street has no rear access for equipment.

Concrete (broom finish, 4 in slab)

• $7.50–$9.00 per sq ft (includes tear-out, 6 % air, rebar grid 24 in OC)
• Stamped or colored add $3.50 per sq ft

Asphalt (2 in base, 1.5 in surface)

• $4.00–$5.25 per sq ft (virgin mix with 0.5 % rejuvenator)
• Seal-coat after 6 months: $0.25 per sq ft

Permeable Pavers

• $14–$18 per sq ft (includes open-graded stone base, edge restraints)

Heated Driveway Overlay (retrofit electric mats)

• $18–$24 per sq ft on existing concrete in good shape
• New hydronic system under fresh concrete: $28–$32 per sq ft

Payment tip: Never pay more than 25 % down. Michigan law allows up to 33 %, but 25 % leaves leverage if schedules slip.

Navigating Detroit Permits & Utility Rules

Detroit’s Building Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) requires a “Residential Driveway Approach Permit” if you touch the public apron (the section crossing the sidewalk). The fee is $100, and the city inspects formwork before concrete is poured. Missing the permit triggers a $250 stop-work ticket plus double permit fees.

Miss DIG & DTE Clearances

DTE Gas requires 48-inch side clearance from gas mains; GLEWS (Great Lakes Energy & Water Systems) needs 5 ft from water valves. Your contractor should spray-paint utility paths before excavation. If they don’t, call 811 yourself and withhold payment until lines are marked.

Red Flags: Detroit Driveway Scams to Avoid

• Left-over asphalt claim: “We just finished a MDOT job and have extra hot-top.” MDOT uses state plants; they don’t sell to residential trucks.
• Door-to-door deals: Legitimate Detroit crews are booked 3–6 weeks out in summer; they don’t need to canvas.
• Cash-only discounts over 10 %: Michigan sales tax is 6 %; anything above hints at unreported income and no warranty.
• No Detroit address on contract: Out-of-state pavers can’t be served in small-claims court if the sealer fails.

Making the Final Decision

Once you have three comparable bids, score each on a 100-point scale:

• 30 pts – Price within 5 % of median
• 20 pts – 5-year+ written warranty
• 15 pts – Local Detroit address & landline
• 15 pts – Permits included in bid
• 10 pts – Less than 2-week start date
• 10 pts – Provided reference driveways within 5 miles

Email the winner a simple one-page contract addendum restating PSI, warranty length, and daily penalty if they overrun the schedule. Most reputable Driveway Contractors in Detroit, MI will sign without pushback.

Post-Install Care for Detroit Winters

• Wait 28 days before first salt application on new concrete; use calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) if you must de-ice earlier.
• Seal expansion joints every 3 years with polyurethane caulk; road salt eats untreated joints first.
• Keep snow banks off apron edges; city plows can snap a 6-inch lip that isn’t supported by soil.
• Spring power-wash and inspect for spalling. Catch dime-size pits early and epoxy-patch before they crater.

Frequently Asked Questions