Driveway Specification Writing: Describing What You Want

Why Driveway Specification Writing Matters

A new driveway is a long-term investment. The fastest way to get the result you want—and avoid surprise costs—is to hand every bidder the same clear, written plan. That document is your driveway specification. Done right, it turns “I want a gray driveway” into a precise scope every contractor can price apples-to-apples. Done poorly, you invite low-ball quotes, material swaps, and weeks of change orders.

Driveway specification writing is simply the act of describing what you want in enough detail that a competent crew can build it without guessing. Below is a step-by-step playbook you can copy, paste, and customize for asphalt, concrete, pavers, or gravel.

Before You Write: 15-Minute Site Audit

Walk outside with a notepad and your phone. You’ll gather the raw facts that feed every line of the spec.

Measure and Sketch

• Use a tape measure or a wheel to record length, width, and any odd cut-outs.
• Mark sidewalk, utility covers, and property pins; note setbacks required by your HOA or city.
• Snap photos from the same spots in the morning and late afternoon—shadows reveal drainage dips.

Identify the “Must Keeps” and “Pain Points”

1. Must keep: mature oak roots, irrigation heads, basketball pole.
2. Pain points: puddle by the garage, steep drop where cars scrape, weeds in existing gravel.

Check Local Rules Early

A quick call to the building department can tell you:

• Permit fee (usually $50–$150 for driveways under 1,000 ft²).
• Minimum apron thickness where driveway meets street.
• Allowed materials (some cities ban certain pavers because of snow-plow damage).

The 7 Core Elements of a Driveway Specification

Think of these as buckets. If any bucket is empty, contractors will fill it with the cheapest option.

1. Scope Description

One paragraph that answers: What is being built, and what is being removed? Example:

Remove existing 4-in. asphalt driveway (approx. 900 ft²) and 250 ft² of adjacent lawn. Install new 950 ft² concrete driveway, 5-in. thick, broom finish, with 4-in. thick concrete apron 12 ft wide per City Std. Detail 14-02.

2. Layout & Dimensions

Provide a simple CAD sketch or hand drawing with overall length, width, radius at turns, and any decorative bands. List tolerances: “Top of driveway shall be ±¼ in. from finish grade shown on drawing A-1.”

3. Subgrade & Base

• Compacted soil bearing capacity (usually 2,500 psf minimum).
• Geotextile fabric brand or equal.
• Aggregate base: “6 in. of CA-6 crushed limestone, 98% Standard Proctor.”

4. Surface Material

Include color, thickness, joint spacing, admixtures, sealer schedule, and warranty. For pavers, note ASTM C936 compliance and freeze-thaw rating.

5. Drainage Plan

State desired slope (minimum 1% for asphalt, 1.5% for concrete). Specify trench drains, culverts, or swales if water pools now.

6. Edge Restraints & Borders

Concrete curb, plastic paver edging with 10-in. spikes, or decorative brick soldier course—list it so pricing is consistent.

7. Site Restoration & Cleanup

Seed and straw disturbed lawn, replace mailbox post, haul off debris. A clear end point prevents a half-finished yard.

Material-Specific Specification Tips

Asphalt Driveways

• Lift thickness: “Install 3-in. binder course of ID-2 asphalt, then 1.5-in. surface course of IL-9.5, both at 92% Marshall density.”
• Sealcoat schedule: “First coat 90 days after install, then every 3–4 years.”

Concrete Driveways

• Strength: “4,000 psi @ 28 days, 5–7% air entrainment for freeze protection.”
• Joint spacing: “Score joints at 1.5× slab thickness in feet (max 10 ft).”
• Color: If integrally colored, name the brand, color number, and dosage rate (e.g., “Solomon 385 Buff at 1 lb per cubic yard”).

Permeable Pavers

• Open-graded stone layers: “8 in. of ASTM #2 stone, 4 in. of #57, 2 in. of #9 bedding.”
• Void ratio for storm-water credits: “Minimum 40%.”

Gravel Driveways

• Layer sequence: “Geotextile, 8 in. of 3-in. minus crushed, 4 in. of ¾-in. clean gravel, 1 in. of crusher dust.”
• Edge boards: “Install 2×8 treated pine with rebar stakes every 4 ft to contain gravel.”

Writing Style That Contractors Respect

Keep sentences short. Use bullet lists. Quantify everything. Instead of “thick base,” write “6-in. compacted base.” Instead of “good slope,” write “1% minimum slope away from garage.” This removes interpretation and shows you’ve done your homework, which discourages corner-cutting.

“Or Equal” vs. “No Substitutions”

When you care about brand performance (say, a specific sealer with UV blockers), write “No substitutions.” When any comparable product is fine, add “or equal” after the brand so bidders can sharpen their pencil on price.

Add a Two-Column Table for Allowable Tolerances

Sample Driveway Specification (Copy & Paste Template)

1. GENERAL
   1.1 Scope: Furnish all labor, materials, and equipment to remove existing asphalt driveway and install new concrete driveway per this spec and attached drawing D-1.
   1.2 Permits: Contractor shall obtain and pay for all permits. Homeowner will sign city documents within 24 hrs of request.

2. DEMOLITION & EXCAVATION
   2.1 Remove 4-in. asphalt and 6-in. aggregate base (est. 45 tons). Dispose off-site.
   2.2 Excavate additional 6 in. below final grade for new base. Do not undercut tree roots greater than 2 in. diameter within dripline of oak tree at east corner.

3. SUBGRADE PREPARATION
   3.1 Proof-roll with 10-ton roller. Replace soft spots with compacted CA-6.
   3.2 Install geotextile (Mirafi 600X or equal) overlapping 18 in.

4. BASE COURSE
   4.1 Place 6 in. of CA-6 crushed limestone in two lifts, each compacted to 98% Standard Proctor.

5. CONCRETE
   5.1 4,000 psi @ 28 days, 6% air, 5-in. slump max.
   5.2 Thickness: 5 in. for main drive, 6 in. for apron first 12 ft.
   5.3 Reinforcement: #4 rebar 18 in. OC each way, 2 in. clear from bottom.
   5.4 Joints: Score 1-in. deep every 10 ft; seal with Sikaflex 1a polyurethane.
   5.5 Finish: Light broom perpendicular to direction of traffic.
   5.6 Cure: Apply white pigmented curing compound same day.

6. DRAINAGE
   6.1 Slope entire drive 2% toward street. Install 4-in. PVC culvert under apron per city detail.

7. CLEANUP & WARRANTY
   7.1 Remove trash daily. Seed and straw disturbed areas.
   7.2 Provide 5-year written warranty against surface defects > ¼ in. depth and structural cracking > 1⁄8 in. width.

Sending Your Spec to Contractors

Package It Like a Pro

Combine the spec, drawing, and photos into one PDF. Name it “123-Main-St-Driveway-Spec.pdf.” Email it to at least three local installers with the subject line “Bid Request: Concrete Driveway 950 ft².”

Level the Bidding Field

Give bidders two weeks and schedule a mandatory walk-through on the same morning. This prevents “I didn’t see the culvert” excuses later.

Compare Apples to Apples

Create a spreadsheet row for each line item in your spec. Mark “yes,” “no,” or “alternate.” Disregard any bid that deviates without a written alternate—you want pricing for the same scope.

Common Driveway Specification Mistakes

• Vague thickness: “4–5 in.” invites 4 in. every time. Pick one number.
• Missing sealer schedule: Unsealed concrete spalls in freeze-thaw climates.
• No tolerance table: A wavy surface passes if you never defined “wavy.”
• Ignoring traffic timing: Specify “No vehicular traffic for 7 days” or you’ll see tire marks before the concrete reaches strength.

How a Good Spec Affects Cost

A detailed spec typically narrows bid spread to 5–8%. Without it, spreads of 30% are common; the low bid usually omits something you’ll pay for later. Think of spec writing as free insurance: one hour at your keyboard can save $1,000 in change orders.

FAQ