How much for a tear-out and repave on my Ottawa driveway?

A complete tear-out and repave for an average Ottawa driveway (40-60 square metres) typically costs $5,000 to $12,000, with most homeowners paying $7,000 to $9,000 for quality work that includes proper base preparation for Ottawa's extreme climate.

The wide cost range depends on several critical factors specific to Ottawa conditions. Driveway size is the primary driver — a compact urban driveway might be 35 square metres while a suburban double-wide could reach 80+ square metres. Base requirements vary dramatically based on your soil conditions and existing base quality. If you're dealing with Ottawa's prevalent clay soils (common in Barrhaven, Orleans, Gloucester, and Riverside South), you'll need deeper granular base preparation — minimum 300mm of Granular B sub-base plus 150mm of Granular A base to get below the 1.2-1.5 metre frost line. Sandy soils in areas like west Kanata or Stittsville may require less base depth but often need geotextile fabric to prevent base migration.

Accessibility and disposal costs significantly impact pricing in Ottawa's established neighbourhoods. Narrow driveways in areas like the Glebe, Westboro, or Manor Park require smaller equipment and hand work, increasing labour costs. Disposal fees for the old asphalt add $300 to $800 depending on thickness and contamination. Asphalt thickness matters too — a quality Ottawa driveway needs two lifts (50mm binder course plus 50mm surface course) for durability throug our brutal freeze-thaw cycles, while budget jobs might only install a single 75mm lift that's more prone to cracking.

Timing affects pricing in Ottawa's short paving season. Peak demand in May-June and September can push prices 10-15% higher, while mid-summer work (July-August) sometimes offers better rates. The condition of your existing base is crucial — if the granular base is still stable, contractors can reuse it and focus on surface replacement. But if you're seeing heaving, major settling, or drainage issues, full excavation and new base preparation is essential and adds $2,000 to $4,000 to the project.

Quality contractors in Ottawa typically quote $8 to $14 per square foot for complete tear-out and replacement including proper base work. This covers excavation, disposal, new granular base in compacted lifts, and two-lift asphalt installation. Budget contractors quoting $5 to $7 per square foot often cut corners on base depth, compaction, or asphalt thickness — these driveways fail within 3-5 Ottawa winters and require expensive re-replacement. Remember that WSIB coverage is mandatory for all contractors in Ontario, and any electrical work (if adding lighting or outlets) requires an ESA-licensed electrician.

Always get three detailed quotes that specify base depths, asphalt thicknesses, and compaction methods. Quality base preparation is invisible once the asphalt goes down, but it's what determines whether your driveway lasts 20+ years or fails catastrophically after a few harsh Ottawa winters.

Need help finding a driveway contractor? Ottawa Driveways can match you with local paving professionals for free estimates on your tear-out and repave project.