Completed a full interlock driveway replacement in Vaughan last fall. The old asphalt was 18 years old, cracked in multiple places, and sinking near the garage. Posting the complete breakdown.
Quotes
Got 4 quotes ranging from $12,800 to $21,400 for the same 560 sq ft project. The cheapest two were proposing 4-inch granular base. The top two specified 8 inches. I chose the second-most expensive at $18,200 specifically because they were detailed about base preparation.
The Scope
- Remove existing asphalt + haul away
- Excavate to 10 inches below finished grade
- Compact subgrade with plate compactor (two passes)
- 8 inches compacted granular A base
- 1 inch washed concrete sand bedding
- Unilock Umbriano pavers (60mm, pedestrian areas) and 80mm Umbriano for the driveway proper
- 6-inch soldier course border in contrasting colour
- Polymeric sand joints (Gator Bond)
- Total project: 560 sq ft driveway + 85 sq ft walkway = 645 sq ft
Final Cost: $18,200
Breakdown as described by contractor:
- Demolition and disposal: $2,100
- Excavation and base: $4,800
- Pavers (Umbriano) and borders: $6,400
- Labour for installation: $3,600
- Polymeric sand: $380
- Edging and drainage details: $920
First Winter Assessment
One Ontario winter in - zero movement, zero heaving, looking exactly as it did on installation day. The 8-inch base clearly made a difference vs my neighbour who had their interlock done by a lower-cost contractor and already has a sunken section after one winter.
Tip
Ask every contractor specifically: what is the compacted depth of granular base? If they say less than 6 inches for Ontario driveway conditions, move on.