Driveway Schedule of Values: Breaking Down Project Cost

What a Driveway Schedule of Values Is—and Why It Matters to You

A Driveway Schedule of Values is the contractor’s line-item price list. Think of it as the receipt before you buy. It breaks every task, material, and permit into clear dollar amounts so you know exactly where your money goes. Without it, you’re guessing; with it, you’re in control.

Homeowners who understand the schedule can:

• Compare bids apples-to-apples
• Negotiate specific items instead of a lump-sum mystery
• Release payments only after each phase passes inspection
• Spot hidden overhead or inflated margins

Standard Sections You’ll See on a Driveway Schedule of Values

Every company formats differently, but the content is surprisingly consistent. Below are the buckets you should expect, plus average percentage ranges for a typical $8,000–$12,000 residential driveway replacement.

1. Mobilization & Site Prep (5–10%)

Dump fees, porta-potty, safety signage, fuel surcharge, and the crew’s first half-day to set up silt fencing. Ask if this number stays the same if the start date slips—some contractors add “re-mobilization” fees later.

2. Demolition & Haul-Off (8–15%)

Concrete, asphalt, or paver removal is priced by the square foot and includes disposal tonnage. Verify the landfill fee is current; transfer stations raise tipping fees every January.

3. Geotextile & Base Rock (10–18%)

The hidden hero of a long-lasting driveway. Schedule should list type of aggregate (¾” minus vs. recycled concrete), compacted depth (usually 4–6 in.), and number of compaction passes. If this line seems low, the contractor may be banking on “extra work” change orders later.

4. Drainage & Utilities (3–12%)

French drain, trench drain, or simple swale work. If the line reads “TBD” or “allowance,” insist on a site visit with a laser level before signing. Water always wins—price it now or pay more later.

5. Surface Material & Installation (45–60%)

The big-ticket slice. Whether you choose concrete, asphalt, pavers, or gravel, the schedule should state:

• Thickness (e.g., 4-in. concrete with 6-in. thickened edge)
• PSI or Marshall mix design
• Reinforcement (rebar size/spacing or fiber mesh dosage)
• Sealer coat or paver sand type

6. Jointing & Finishing (2–5%)

Control joints, decorative saw-cuts, or paver edge restraint. On asphalt, this is the tack-coat and seal-strip line. Small dollars, big impact on curb appeal.

7. Cleanup & Final Inspection (1–3%)

Sweeping, magnet pass for nails, and touch-up sealer. Make final payment contingent on this line item.

8. Permit & Warranty Admin (1–4%)

City driveway apron permits, HOA docs, and the labor portion of the warranty. If the contractor leaves this out, you may get billed separately after the fact.

How to Read the Numbers Like a Pro

Check the Math

Add the subtotals yourself. A 2% rounding error on a $10 k job is $200—enough to cover your first oil stain cleanup.

Compare Labor vs. Material Split

For asphalt, labor is usually 40% of the surface course; for pavers, it can hit 70%. If labor looks light, the crew may be rushed or underpaid—red flag.

Watch for “Allowances”

An allowance is a placeholder, not a price. Common on decorative concrete stamps or paver styles. Cap allowances at 5% of total contract or request actual samples before signing.

Understand Overhead & Profit

Good contractors list 10–20% combined O&P. If it’s zero, they’re hiding it inside material unit prices, which makes comparison harder.

Payment Timing Tied to the Schedule

Most driveway projects use milestone billing that mirrors the schedule of values. A typical flow:

1. 10% on signing – covers permits and mobilization
2. 30% on base pass – verified by geo-tech or city inspection
3. 40% on material delivery – asphalt or concrete truck tickets prove quantity
4. 15% on substantial completion – surface is installed, drains flowing
5. 5% on final walkthrough – release after 48-hr curing and punch-list sign-off

Never pay the surface-course installment until you see the delivery ticket; compare the tonnage or cubic yards to the schedule quantity. A short load is an instant savings for the contractor and a shorter life for your driveway.

Negotiating Tactics That Actually Work

Bundle, Don’t Chip

Asking to “knock off $500” signals you don’t value the work. Instead, offer to bundle neighboring services—seal-coat the walkway or extend the apron—and ask for a 5% package discount tied to a specific line item.

Swap, Don’t Delete

If the budget is tight, downgrade the decorative band from pavers to stamped concrete rather than deleting reinforcement. Cutting structural items always costs more in the long run.

Lock Material Escalation

Asphalt and concrete are commodity-priced. Insert a clause: “Material increase >5% between contract date and install date shared 50/50 with verified supplier invoice.” This protects both sides.

Red Flags Hidden in Plain Sight

• Lump-sum line “Driveway $9,500” – no breakdown, no deal.
• Zero dollars on curing or sealer – corners will be cut.
• Exclusion for “unsuitable soils” – insist on a soil test or capped hourly rate for over-excavation.
• Pay-when-paid wording – you’re financing the contractor’s cash flow.
• No retention holdback – keep at least 5% until you drive on it for a week.

DIY: Build Your Own Mini-Schedule Before You Call Contractors

Grab a tape measure and a free weekend:

1. Measure length × width to get sq ft.
2. Choose surface type; use local averages (2024 Midwest prices):
   
   • Gravel $1.50–$2.50/sq ft
   • Asphalt $3.50–$5.00/sq ft
   • Concrete $6.50–$9.00/sq ft
   • Pavers $12–$18/sq ft
3. Add 10% for odd shapes or slope.
4. Plug 8% for demo, 15% for base, 3% for drainage.
5. You now have a rough schedule to judge bids.

When three contractors see you’ve done homework, their schedules magically tighten.

Frequently Asked Questions