Driveway Contractors in Houston, TX: How to Choose

Why the Right Driveway Contractor in Houston Matters

A driveway is the first thing guests notice and the last thing you want to repair every spring. Houston’s blistering summers, sudden cloudbursts, and clay-heavy soil punish concrete and asphalt alike. Hire the wrong crew and you’ll see cracks before the warranty paperwork dries. Choose wisely and you’ll gain a rock-solid entrance that boosts curb appeal and resale value.

This guide walks you through every step—licensing, materials, pricing, red flags—so you can confidently compare driveway contractors in Houston, TX and lock in a finish that stands up to Gulf Coast weather.

Popular Driveway Types in Houston

Each material reacts differently to heat, humidity, and Houston’s shifting gumbo soil. Knowing the pros and cons helps you speak the same language as contractors.

Concrete Driveways

Pros: 25–30-year lifespan, clean look, reflects heat away from home.
Cons: Can crack if control joints aren’t placed correctly; oil stains show.
Houston twist: Ask for 4,000 psi minimum with fiber mesh and 6-inch reinforcement on sand—not clay—base.

Asphalt (Blacktop) Driveways

Pros: Budget-friendly, flexes slightly with soil movement, quick install.
Cons: Needs seal-coating every 2–3 years; softens above 95 °F.
Houston twist: Specify PG 76-22 high-temp binder so summer heat doesn’t rut the surface.

Pavers & Stamped Concrete

Pros: Endless colors and patterns, individual pieces can be replaced.
Cons: Higher upfront cost; polymeric sand must be refreshed to block weeds.
Houston twist: Insist on edge restraints rated for 100 °F+ so the border doesn’t creep.

Permeable & Eco Options

City incentives for managing storm-water runoff make permeable pavers and resin-bound gravel attractive. Verify contractor has ICPI certification for permeable installation—few Houston crews do.

How to Vet Driveway Contractors in Houston, TX

Step 1: Check Licenses & Insurance

Texas does not license concrete or paving trades at the state level, but every business must carry general liability and workers’ comp. Ask for the COI (Certificate of Insurance) and call the carrier to confirm coverage is active. A $1 million per-occurrence policy is standard for residential driveways.

Step 2: Verify Local Permits

City of Houston requires a Right-of-Way permit if any part of the driveway crosses a sidewalk or city easement. Ask who pulls the permit—you or the contractor? A pro should handle it and show the stamped approval before pouring.

Step 3: Read Reviews & BBB History

Google Business Profile: look for 50+ reviews with 4.5-star average.
Nextdoor: Houston neighborhood groups flag fly-by-night outfits quickly.
BBB.org: zero unresolved complaints is the goal.

Step 4: Ask for References You Can Drive To

Any contractor worth a deposit will give you three addresses completed 3–5 years ago. Drive by after a rainstorm—puddles indicate poor grading.

Getting Apples-to-Apples Estimates

What a Detailed Bid Should Include

Exact square footage (length × width) and thickness (4-inch vs. 6-inch).
Rebar or mesh size and placement grid.
Concrete psi or asphalt binder grade.
Base material type & compaction method (lift thickness, plate compactor passes).
Drainage plan: slope percentage, French drain, or swale.
Sealer type and number of coats.
Start date, weather contingency, and total project timeline.
Payment schedule (never more than 30 % upfront).

Red Flags in a Quote

🚩 “Left-over asphalt from a nearby job”
🚩 Lump-sum pricing with no line items
🚩 Cash-only discount over 10 %
🚩 Pressure to sign today for a seasonal deal

2024 Price Ranges in Greater Houston

Costs include demo of old 4-inch concrete, haul-off, and standard rebar grid. Prices move 10-15 % higher inside Loop 610 due to traffic constraints and disposal fees.

Concrete (broom finish)

$6.50 – $8.25 per sq ft

Stamped Concrete

$10.00 – $14.50 per sq ft

Asphalt (2-inch overlay)

$3.25 – $4.75 per sq ft

Pavers (concrete interlock)

$12.00 – $18.00 per sq ft

Added Options

Thicker 6-inch slab: +$1.00/sq ft
Seal-coating asphalt (per visit): $0.35/sq ft
Decorative border: $6–$8 per linear ft

Project Timeline & Weather Considerations

Best Months to Pour in Houston

February–April and October–early December offer 60–80 °F days with lower humidity. July–August pours require admixtures to slow curing and prevent surface cracking.

Typical Schedule for 600 sq ft Driveway

Day 1 – Permits & layout
Day 2 – Demo & haul-off
Day 3 – Base prep & compaction
Day 4 – Pour & finish concrete (or lay asphalt)
Day 5 – Saw-cut control joints, initial cure
Day 10 – Seal & final walk-through

Tip: Ask the contractor to tent the fresh slab with sun-shade cloth if temps spike above 90 °F.

Understanding Your Contract & Warranty

Key Clauses to Look For

Performance warranty: 5-year minimum against flaking, cracks >¼-inch, and drainage defects.
Material warranty: Provided by concrete supplier or paver manufacturer—usually lifetime for structural integrity.
Force majeure: Weather delays beyond 48 hours should not count against you.
Dispute resolution: Mediation first, then Harris County district court.

What Voids a Warranty

Using magnesium chloride ice melt, parking heavy RVs outside weight limit, or sealing too early (before 28-day cure) can void coverage.

How to Prepare Your Property for Installation Day

Mark sprinkler heads—Houson yards have shallow lines that break easily.
Relocate vehicles 50 ft away; concrete trucks need 65-ft hose reach.
Notify neighbors; city streets often require “no parking” signs 24 hrs ahead.
Cover nearby plants with tarps; muriatic acid wash can burn landscaping.

Post-Install Maintenance Tips for Houston Climate

Concrete

Wait 28 days, then apply penetrating silane-siloxane sealer every 3 years.
Rinse off fertilizer overspray within 24 hrs—urea eats calcium in concrete.

Asphalt

Seal-coat at 12 months, then every 24–36 months.
Fill hairline cracks with rubberized crack filler before Labor Day heat.

Pavers

Re-sand joints with polymeric sand when you see gaps >⅛-inch.
Apply non-selective herbicide twice a year to stop weeds sprouting through seams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if the work touches the sidewalk, curb, or city easement you must obtain a Right-of-Way permit from Houston Public Works. Your contractor should include permit fees (usually $150–$250) in the bid and post the yellow permit card on-site before demolition starts.

Standard passenger vehicles: 4-inch thick, 3,000–3,500 psi concrete on a 4-inch compacted base. For SUVs, boats, or heavy trucks: 6-inch thick, 4,000 psi with #4 rebar at 18-inch centers. Clay soil areas may need geo-textile fabric under the base to reduce movement.

Only if the existing base is stable and drains properly. A contractor should drill core samples or at least perform a proof-roll test (dump truck driven across while watching for flexing). In Houston, resurfacing over cracked concrete usually fails within two years due to soil heave; full replacement is cheaper long-term.

Concrete: 7 days for cars, 28 days for heavy trucks. Asphalt: 24 hours for cars, 3 days for trucks during temps above 85 °F. Always follow the contractor’s written instructions; premature loading can create tire indentations that void the warranty.