Thanks! Needed that. Had someone come out today for a qoute and say the SAME THINGS! Said I had to decide soon. Felt like I was missing out.. Have left-over material, only need 1 coat. NOT GONNA DO IT!
Tar and chip is premium over gravel for sure. I love mine . Now what you might do is what we do... Get on your local county road crew tar and chip list. They are highly experienced,local,and you wont hardly find a cheaper price on materials as they purchase and sell as your local county. Not much markup on material. I recoat once every 3 years regardless. Also, I intentionally dont snow plow . Really not much need to as its abrasive. Talk about a first class poor mans alternative to asphalt or cement . Ive had it for 25 years (maintained) and really love it. Bang for the buck you cant beat it.
If your PSA will help one other person from trying a deal that sounds too good to be true - and isn’t - it was worth its time. Sorry you’re disappointed and have that problem; you’re not alone in learning things the hard way.
Kudos for humbling yourself by pointing out decision-making mistakes you made, and sharing (somewhat) painful lessons you learned. We have a tar and chip driveway that will need to be redone sometime in the next five years or so. One thing I didn't consider was the functional purpose of an apron using a more solid material, like Belgium block. I thought aprons were just for looks. Thanks again, sir.
I removed 8” of soil and put 8” of asphalt chips. The cost at the time was $150 a load. Best driveway for six years no pot holes no movement. Just had concrete poured on top of it and it’s fantastic. Make sure the chips are fresh but these were not even screened.
I've seen some others use the recycled asphalt. It seems like it makes an excellent solid layer and a nice smooth top coat. Great choice! I never see this available around me - but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Thanks for watching!
Years ago I had a couple of scammers that tried that with me . One wanted to pave my driveway, the other wanted to paint a steel shed. In both cases they said they had just enough to do my place and didn't want it to go to waste.. I sent both of them away. This desperate contractor scam is very commonly targeted to homeowners
Too bad asphalt is so expensive, because it's the best in my opinion. Unless chipseal is done properly, like you said, the results won't be satisfactory. I've even heard some claim it lasts longer and is more durable than asphalt, but I'm not so sure about that. Otherwise it wouldn't be so expensive. Thanks for sharing, Chad!
I had asphalt (black top) priced a few years ago. It was crazy expensive. But you're right- it would be better long-term solution. If I had a LOT of money - I'd do the whole driveway in concrete. :)
Great question. It is quieter than the gravel is for sure. But there is still some noise. I've found that the deer around here are very used to my travels in and out the driveway - so they pretty much are indifferent when I'm coming in. They don't even mind the tractor or UTV anymore. They actually come CLOSER when I'm running equipment because they're curious and hopeful that I have some corn or a salt block. :)
Great question! I did have the local tar and chip guy come look at it a few months ago. He said he could put a second coat on - but really the prep work should be re-done. :(
Sorry to say but………. You were EXACTLY the mark they were looking for!! They were the “Asphalt Gypsies” 😂😂. You totally bought into this hoping that everybody else was wrong and the “Asphalt Gypsies” were right. If two outta three are a high price and one is a really low price… the low guy doesn’t have the scope right!! Last lesson…. Don’t buy anything in the moment! ALWAYS SLEEP ON IT
You are 100% right. They hooked me and got me. While it wasn't a "pressure sale" it did have the expiration date and I should have known better. It wasn't even the amazing deal I originally thought it was. A few months later, I had the local guy come out and quote doing more of the driveway. He explained how pricing works, and how he could have done the 300' for just about 10%-20% more, with 2 layers.
Thanks! What I'm always curious about when people say that is where does the river gravel go? I never find it stacking up along the sides of the driveway. It seems to just disappear.
I want to give you a thumbs up, but you failed to mention a couple things...1. what was the total cost of the job? 2. How many square feet?? You mentioned one layer, 300ft...but by what? 1', 100'. If you have these things, we could understand price per square feet or cubed and compare it to other methods and understand price over longevity if say lasts 10 years versus concrete or asphalt. This would have also identified if there was a red light on pricing n to good to be true. As far as losing contact after they were done....you should have confirmed the name of the company and did a simple Business Entity Search in the state licensed which would have giving the name and address of the agent!
I hope so! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Every comment helps RU-vid to know this video should be shared with a wider audience. We appreciate it.
Been chip dealing for 25+ years must do - level your dirt driveways with base water & compact - water base before spraying chip oil do in section - once chip oil turn from brown onto black it means oil broke is to late for chip rock -use 3/8” chip rock - chipping over base require 2 lifts - oil rate is .38 gallons per SF
