Key takeaways
- Look for an NJ-registered, insured, local contractor with references.
- A good quote lists excavation depth, base depth, asphalt thickness and drainage.
- Avoid door-to-door “leftover asphalt” offers and cash-only crews.
- Bridgewater’s hillside lots need careful pitch to keep water out of garages.
Searching “driveway paving company near me” in Bridgewater brings up dozens of results. Here’s how to narrow them down to a contractor who will build a driveway that lasts.
1. Check credentials
New Jersey requires home improvement contractors to be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs. Ask for the registration number and a certificate of insurance. Local companies with a long track record are easier to hold accountable.
2. Ask the right questions
- How deep will you excavate?
- What base material, and how thick after compaction?
- How thick is the asphalt after rolling?
- How will water drain away from my garage?
- Is removal of the old driveway included?
- Who will be doing the work?
3. Watch for red flags
High-pressure, same-day deals, “leftover asphalt”, cash-only payment, no written contract and no registration number are all warning signs.
4. Consider Bridgewater’s conditions
Bridgewater ranges from the flat neighborhoods of Finderne and Bradley Gardens near the Raritan to the sloped lots of Martinsville and the hills north of Route 22. Sloped driveways need correct pitch, and often a trench drain at the garage. Flat ones need enough fall to move water to the street.
5. Look at their work and reviews
Ask for photos of similar driveways and read reviews. See our gallery and reviews.
Old Irish Paving & Masonry has paved driveways in Bridgewater for years. See driveway services in Bridgewater.
Troubleshooting: common problems and fixes
Here’s how we diagnose and fix the issues we see most often on projects like this.
Water racing down hillside driveways north of Route 22
What you see: On sloped lots toward the Watchung ridge, storm water runs the length of the driveway and pools at the garage door.
Why it happens: Steep grades with no interception point. Shale-and-clay soils don’t absorb runoff quickly.
How we fix it: A trench drain across the driveway at the garage, piped to a swale or dry well, plus a regraded base so water is carried to the sides.
How to prevent it: Keep the trench drain grate clear of leaves each fall.
Original 1960s driveways in Finderne and Bradley Gardens
What you see: Thin asphalt or cracked concrete that has been patched for decades, often too narrow for two cars.
Why it happens: Driveways from that era were often laid with minimal base, for one car.
How we fix it: Full tear-out, new compacted base, and widening to a two-car layout within township limits.
How to prevent it: Build for today’s vehicles and add Belgian block edges to stop lawn creep.
The driveway is too narrow for today’s cars
What you see: Cars park on the lawn, doors hit each other, or someone always has to move a car to get out.
Why it happens: Many New Jersey driveways were built for one smaller car decades ago.
How we fix it: We widen with matching material on a full-depth base, add a parking pad or turnaround, and check your town’s limits on driveway width and curb cuts.
How to prevent it: Plan for the cars you’ll own in ten years, not the ones you have today.
Potholes that keep coming back
What you see: Holes that you or a previous contractor filled with cold patch, only for them to reopen after the next freeze.
Why it happens: Cold patch from a bag doesn’t bond or compact properly, and the soft base underneath is still holding water. Each freeze-thaw cycle pops the patch out.
How we fix it: A permanent repair is cut square, excavated to firm material, rebuilt with compacted stone, tack-coated and filled with hot-mix asphalt rolled flush.
How to prevent it: Fix potholes in the warm season with hot mix, and make sure water drains off the surface instead of sitting in low spots.
Water runs into the garage
What you see: Water pools at the garage door or seeps under it after storms.
Why it happens: The driveway slopes toward the house, has settled near the slab, or there’s simply nowhere for water from a sloped driveway to go.
How we fix it: We regrade the base so water runs away from the house, or install a trench drain across the driveway in front of the garage, piped to daylight or a dry well.
How to prevent it: Keep the joint between the driveway and garage slab sealed, and keep downspouts discharging away from the driveway.
What affects the cost
- Material: asphalt is usually lowest, concrete mid-range, and pavers highest
- Tear-out and disposal of the existing driveway
- Excavation and base depth, which depend on soil and vehicle loads
- Widening, parking pads and turnarounds
- Drainage: trench drains, regrading, dry wells
- Borders and aprons: Belgian block, pavers
- Permits for widening or curb-cut changes, where your town requires them
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing material on price alone without considering maintenance and lifespan
- Forgetting to plan where the water will go
- Widening without checking town rules on width and curb cuts
- Skipping a turnaround on a busy road
- Letting the cheapest quote decide the base depth
- Hiring a door-to-door “leftover asphalt” crew
Seasonal care checklist
- Spring: Check for heaving, new cracks and edge damage from plowing. Book projects early for the best start dates.
- Summer: Ideal for installs, repairs and sealcoating.
- Fall: Great paving weather. Finish repairs before freeze-up.
- Winter: Plow carefully, use gentle de-icers, and plan next year’s project.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a NJ contractor’s registration?
You can look up home improvement contractor registrations through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website.
Should the cheapest paving quote worry me?
Not always, but compare base depth and asphalt thickness. A much lower price often means less material.
How do I stop water from running into my garage?
Regrade the driveway so it pitches away from the garage, or install a trench drain across the driveway in front of the door, piped to a dry well or daylight.
Can I widen my driveway myself with gravel?
You can, but it rarely looks or performs right next to asphalt or pavers, and many towns limit driveway width. A paved widening on a matching base is the lasting fix.
What lasts longest in New Jersey winters?
Well-built pavers and properly air-entrained concrete can last 30+ years, and asphalt 15–25 years. The base and drainage matter more than the surface.
Planning a project? Old Irish Paving & Masonry is a family-owned, licensed and insured New Jersey contractor with 30+ years of experience. Call (908) 992-2345 or request a free estimate.