About DCT Paving & Excavation
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.
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.
About driveways
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.
What's the process?
In order to protect yourself, we strongly recommend getting a written estimate. On the estimate, ensure the contractor explains what exactly they are going to do, preferably with diagrams and measurements showing the total square footage because square footage determines how much asphalt and other materials are required for a proper job. If there are issues with your current driveway, there is a good chance the new one may have them as well unless the underlying problem is fixed. Discuss your concerns with the contractor and ensure they are addressed on the estimate. Be aware that the contractor may not be able to determine potential problems until the old driveway is removed. Unforeseen issues may add to the cost.
Once you have agreed to have DCT Paving do the work we will schedule a starting date that fits into your schedule. Our staff will coordinate the work and notify you by phone when we will show up at the site. Since we are at the mercy of Maritime weather, the starting date may be delayed in case of rain.
No deposit is needed and we will not invoice you until the project is complete.
The client must notify DCT of any underground services, such as electrical and natural gas. Please ensure the driveway is clear of debris, vehicles and trailers. DCT requires access to an outside water. If steps, sheds or other structures interfere with the project they need to be removed or discussed with DCT before work can start.
DCT will dig up your old driveway, lay down new gravel and grade it for proper water run-off. Asphalt is normally laid the next day.
What can you expect from DCT?
Choosing a paving contractor
Finding a reputable paving company can be tricky. Here are a few suggestions:
A great starting point is your circle of friends and neighbours. If they have had work done and are pleased, this company may be worth contacting. You can also do an online search but the results do not necessarily reflect the company's reputation. Many of the top results are usually ads so just because a website shows up first does not mean it's a good choice. You may want to start with the Better Business Bureau.
Many companies are listed on the Better Business Bureau website but not all are accredited. Why is it important? Only by being accredited will the BBB step in to help resolve potential complaints. There are other factors to consider, such as the rating and how long they have been in business and registered with the BBB. An A+ rating is relatively easy to achieve for a business that has only been around for a few years but maintaining an A+ rating in the long run is not.
Researching paving contractors using the Better Business Bureau website has a lot of advantages, including being able to see all the important details like how long they have been in business, a link to their website, how long they have been registered with the BBB, reviews (whether positive or negative), and how negative ones were handled.
Definitely! Contact at least 2 to 3 companies for estimates and ask for testimonials. If the company has been around for a long time they may have done a project in your neighbourhood, possibly for someone you can talk to about their experience. When considering estimates, ensure you are comparing apples to apples because not every company paves the same. In our experience, you get what you pay for so if your objective is to get a job that lasts, it's unlikely to be the cheapest but without having other estimates for comparison you won't be able to judge.
Once you have done your due diligence and everything checks out, your personal comfort may be the deciding factor. If you have the feeling that the contractor is looking out for your best interest, is approachable and answers all questions to your satisfaction, it's a good sign you have found a great paving contractor.
Please be cautious about large discounts and savings as this may be an indication you are not getting the materials and quality of workmanship for a proper job.
Definitely not! Beware of paving contractors requesting deposits. Reputable companies stand behind their work and only ask for payment when the job is done.
About our warranty
The workmanship is guaranteed for 2 years and we ensure the job is done as per the original quote, including all written descriptions and diagrams. The warranty covers all workmanship and includes the surface to a depth of 6-8 inches below the surface.
Please refer to the FAQ item: "About driveways / Tips for making your investment last longer".
Yes. All warranties offered by DCT are transferable.