Few paving contractors are established as long as DCT. We have been serving the Halifax Regional Municipality for over 25 years, are accredited with the Better Business Bureau and have maintained a solid A+ rating.

We have extensive resources and can handle projects of any size.

DCT carries 5 million dollars in liability insurance and we are a member of the Workers' Compensation Board.

Dave Trudel, DCT's owner, is always involved from start to finish, to review progress, workmanship, and ensure it is on-track.

From our estimators, workers to project managers, everyone is aware of what work and equipment is needed to do the job properly.

We are always available to talk to you and only a call away.

Please contact us anytime.

Certainly. We are always accessible and available to answer all types of inquiries or questions, regardless how long ago we paved your driveway.

With DCT Paving & Concrete, no deposit is required. An invoice will be issued when the project is complete.

Yes. Financing can be arranged.

Asphalt consists of black, liquid tar + gravel, concrete consists of a concrete mixture and water + gravel/dust or aggregate.

Asphalt is resistant to cracking because it is made of oil, giving it more elasticity than concrete.

Asphalt should last 10 to 15 years, can be repaired and is easily maintained. Concrete lasts 20 to 30 years with minimum maintenance and can be dyed in different colours to suit your taste.

Regarding costs, asphalt is about ⅔ less compared to concrete but can vary from job to job.

It's hard to beat the durability of this product, provided it doesn't crack within the first year.

Cracking is more of a problem in the northern climates because frost is always inevitable. Frost heaves are one of the major causes of surface cracks in all driveway products.

All concrete installations need joint expansions which control where the cracking will take place. Re-bar or wire mess is also helpful to increase its strength and decrease the chances of cracking.

It can be stamped and colour additive can be applied to make a more appealing driveway. I can also have a multitude of finishes and dressed with stone (aggregates) or slate toppings.

On the downside, concrete can be difficult to keep clean and stains may be difficult to remove.

It usually takes a few days, weather permitting. We dig up your old driveway to remove the old product, weeds, large rocks and other debris that will prevent us from ensuring the best result. DCT will then top it off with new gravel to ensure a solid base. New asphalt is placed within a day or two after the foundation has been laid.

One of the biggest factors is below the surface, such as an improper base/compaction or degrading organic material like tree stumps. Insufficient thickness of asphalt and improper use, such as heavy traffic, vehicles that are too heavy, and chemicals will also lead to failure.

With age, asphalt becomes brittle and dries out from the elements. The older it is, the more vulnerable it is to cracking.

We will be happy to discuss this with you when coming for an estimate.

Large jobs and big driveways are best done late May until September during warmer weather because the compaction is better and seams show less.

It is the responsibility of owner or project manager since this will ensure you are speaking to a decision maker who is accountable to you and has all details and requirements for the project.

There are lots of options for customizing your driveway, including concrete borders, pavers and inlays. We will consult with you to ensure the end results suits your needs. Check out a few inspirations.

Yes. Asphalt can also be applied over concrete or be re-applied over existing asphalt. This method is known as resurfacing but is only as good as the base you are covering. If you apply new asphalt over badly cracked concrete or asphalt, the new asphalt placed on top will crack eventually.

We will be happy to assess your driveway to determine if resurfacing is an option.

A single car driveway width should be 10' wide, anything less than 10 feet will be too narrow to drive or park on comfortably. 12' is often used for added comfort and assuring to get out of your vehicle without stepping on the lawn or landscape.

If the driveway is surrounded by walls over 8" high, then 14' wide is recommended to open the car doors and exit the vehicles without damaging the doors. These specifications will accommodate all cars large or small and full size pick-up trucks and SUVs.

Driveways should allow 20' of length per vehicle. Every 20 feet of driveway will accommodate all cars large or small and full size pick-up trucks & SUVs. This will allow room to walk between vehicles and park far enough from the garage door to allow foot traffic.

Be sure to allow 6-12 feet at your driveway entrance for foot traffic on the sidewalk. The sidewalks are owned by the state and local governments even if there are no sidewalks on your street now, there could be someday, and you don't want to have your cars parked in the way of pedestrians on state or town property.

You will need to check with your local town or state government as to how much sidewalk area they own and allow for sidewalks to be installed if not already in place. Never take the measurement from the street to the garage, but from the sidewalk or property line to the garage.

Suggested driveway widths:

• 10 - 12 feet wide for a single car driveway.
• 14 feet wide if surrounded by walls.
• 18 - 20 feet wide for a double wide driveway.
• 24 feet wide if surrounded by walls.
• 30 feet wide for a three car wide driveway/parking area.
• 40 feet wide for a four car wide driveway/parking area.
• Allow 10' for each additional desired car width.

If you had a driveway done by DCT and are looking for the "Do's and Don'ts", you can download it here.

• Do not place sharp or pointed objects on your driveway. Indentations will result. This will certainly be true for the first year of its life and perhaps longer (such as on a hot summer day when the mercury reaches 100F or above). Stay off the new driveway 2-3 days after installation and longer if temperatures are hot. Principal offenders are high heels, bicycle kickstands, ladders, porch chairs, etc.
• Do no drive near or off the edges of your driveway. You may fracture the asphalt and crack the whole edge. All edges should be built up with soil and sod.
• Do no turn the car wheels sharply on the pavement. Also, don't turn the wheels while standing still - ensure the car is in motion before turning the wheels. Otherwise, power steering gouges will result. These are bruises or lacerations to the surface, caused by the kneading, grinding action of the tires moving on the bias against the asphalt.
• Do not park the car or camper in the same spot all the time. This is particularly true in the case of a dig out where the base is fresh. No matter how thick the material, deep the base, or heavy the compaction, depressions or "wheel dishes" may result, if care is not exercised.
• Do not allow overweight vehicles on the driveway. Your driveway is constructed for automobile traffic only. Heavy trucks (garbage, cement, delivery, fuel, etc.) will break up the pavement, since the base is insufficient to take the weight. Driveways can be constructed to accommodate these larger loads. Of course the cost is somewhat higher, and in most cases the additional expenditure is unnecessary.
• Do not allow weeds or other vegetation to crowd the edges of the driveway. You will find these hardy pests burrowing through the stone base and up through the asphalt topping. They will evidence themselves prior to blooming as bumps or minor eruptions in the driveway. Though the base is sprayed with weed-killer prior to paving, it is impossible to eliminate each and every weed seed. Often these air-borne particles are brought in with the stone base or dust binder when it is laid in place. The heat from the blacktop then hastens the germination process. The strength of some of these species, such as creeping morning glory and dandelions is phenomenal. Instances of their penetrating even concrete are common. Their appearance in no way should be considered a reflection upon the thickness of the material. Application of weed-killer or simple table salt and water should eliminate this problem.
• Do not pull out of the driveway too fast, pull in too quickly, or drive too fast on your asphalt driveway. During the initial curing time, 6-12 months, don’t park in the same spot all the time and don’t use a jack stand or car ramps unless you put a piece of plywood underneath to distribute the weight. Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when your car is not moving.