Extending Your Driveway: Is it Doable?
Most every home has a driveway and many use concrete as the material of choice. A concrete driveway will last for many years and provide a solid parking space for your vehicles as well as those of your guests. Are you considering lengthening your driveway? Are you wondering if it might be too big of a project to take on? Learn more about driveway extension below and if it will work for you.
Whether you are looking to expand the length of your driveway or widen the area, you will need to do your homework. To begin, draw a diagram of your driveway and front area of the home. Include the roadways and any obstacles that might be in the way of an extension. You want to measure the area and figure out how much you wish to add to space.
Once you know what you would like to do, you will need to look into the regulations of your area. Are you able to lengthen your driveway without permits? Will there be any issue with electrical or plumbing pipes with the installation? Driveway sizes may be restricted in your neighborhood so you want to be sure that you are following all regulations when making any changes.
You will also need to speak with the utility company and have your home visited by a technician so that the areas where your utilities are located can be marked. The ground will be painted with spray paint to show where any electrical lines or gas lines are. This will help to ensure that you do not dig where you shouldn’t, damaging any areas where lines are located.
If you are extending a small area of the driveway, you can possibly do the work yourself. A DIY concrete addition will require you to dig out the area, create a form to support the poured concrete and to ensure the area is level before pouring. You will also have to mix the concrete yourself, pour it and then level it. This can be difficult for one person and usually a team job. If you try to do the work yourself you might end up getting in over your head. When tackling such a DIY project, try to get help, especially with someone who has laid concrete before!
In general, a concrete job is best left to the experts. If you have a professional team coming in to do the job, they can extend your driveway in a few hours rather than take days to complete the project. Plus, they know what they are doing and have the proper regulatory know-how to obtain permits or any other permissions needed to make the change.
If you are considering extending your driveway, contact a few concrete companies and ask for free estimates. This way, you can meet a few people and see how much it would cost to have the work done for you. Saves you time and you know the end product will be high quality.
