We recently completed a driveway and front walkway upgrade in Staten Island, and the biggest lesson was how much base prep affects both cost and longevity.
At first glance, the old concrete looked “good enough.” But once excavation started, we found uneven subgrade and poor drainage — issues that would’ve caused settling within a year if ignored.
Project snapshot:
Scope: driveway + short front walkway
Material: concrete pavers
Total cost: ~$9,800
Cost breakdown:
Demo & excavation: ~$2,400
Base prep (gravel, compaction): ~$2,100
Pavers & edge restraints: ~$3,200
Labor & finishing: ~$2,100
What made the difference:
Excavating deeper than planned to stabilize the base
Proper compaction in layers
Slight grading away from the foundation to manage runoff
Local note:
Materials were sourced from Staten Island Mason Supply, which helped keep paver sizing and color consistent.
Takeaway:
With hardscape projects, what’s under the surface matters more than what you see. Skipping base prep saves money short-term but costs more later.