What’s the Going Rate for Sealing a Driveway?

Written by Theresa Waldrop

Sealing cracks in your driveway is a good investment when done regularly, but how much will it cost you? 

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That depends in part on how big your driveway is and whether you do it yourself or pay a professional to do the job. The experts will charge anywhere from $100 to more than $200 for every 1,000 square feet, according to Homeadvisor.com, and Home and Garden.

DIYornot.com puts the estimates a bit higher at $233 per 1,000 square feet and figures you can do it yourself for $88. Others, such as Angieslist.com, say professionals will cost from $50 to $100 more per 1,000 square feet than a DIY project. If you live in a temperate climate you're likely to pay more because the service is needed less frequently than in colder climates. 

And while Fixr.com maintains that the project is so simple “even the most unskilled” should have a go at it, others, like Costowl.com and Angieslist.com, point out the upsides of hiring pros: the pros may have access to better quality materials and know which ones are best for your area—and just as important—which ones to avoid.

You can cut down on the cost of paying a professional by doing some of the prep work yourself: clean the driveway of dirt and oil spots and clear too-close plants, for example.

The upshot? Try to do it yourself if you think you can. If you’re not sure, let go and leave it to the pros—it’s cheaper than redoing your DIY effort. 

TELL US: What's the going rate for driveway sealing here in town? And what are some great companies you'd recommend? 

About this series: As part of our Smart Spending reporting, Patch is profiling people across the country who have found creative ways to save money. If you're a smart spender, we want to hear from you! Share your story here.