Paver Walkways & Driveways in Hillsborough, NJ
Your driveway and front walk are the first hardscape anyone sees, and the only ones that carry vehicle weight or get hit by a plow blade every winter. Both are detailed differently from a patio.
Quick answer
We install paver and natural stone walkways, front entries, steps and full paver driveways across Central NJ. Walkways typically run $22–$40 per sq ft; driveways $25–$50 per sq ft because vehicle loads need a deeper 10–12" compacted base.
Driveways: base depth is the whole job
A patio base that works fine under furniture will rut under an SUV. Paver driveways get 10–12" of compacted dense-grade aggregate, thicker 80mm paver units, and a concrete edge restraint or soldier course bedded in mortar at the apron so plows and turning tires cannot creep the edge.
- 10–12" compacted base, geotextile over clay subgrade
- 80mm (3⅛") driveway-rated pavers, not 60mm patio units
- Mortared or concrete-toed edge at the apron and garage slab
- Chamfered surface and tight joints so plow blades ride over, not into
- Positive pitch away from the garage, with trench drains where grade demands
Front walkways and entry steps
A front walk should be at least 4 feet wide so two people can walk side by side, and it should land squarely on the front door rather than clipping a corner of the porch. Steps should hold a consistent 6–7" rise and 12–14" tread across the full run — inconsistent risers are the most common trip hazard we're asked to fix.
Bluestone treads over a block core, or full paver step units, both work well in NJ. We set landings with a slight pitch so nothing ponds and freezes in front of the door.
Snow and salt in Central NJ
Concrete pavers handle deicing salt better than poured concrete because they are manufactured at far higher compressive strengths, but we still recommend calcium chloride or magnesium chloride over rock salt on new hardscape. We also offer seasonal snow removal for the properties we build.
Walkways & Driveways: common questions
How much does a paver driveway cost in Central NJ?
Typically $25–$50 per square foot installed, driven mainly by base depth, removal of the existing surface, drainage work and paver selection.
Can you install pavers over my existing asphalt driveway?
We don't recommend it. Asphalt continues to move and degrade underneath, and the assembly loses drainage. We remove the existing surface and build a proper base.
How wide should a front walkway be?
Four feet minimum for a main entry so two people can walk abreast; 3 feet is acceptable for a secondary side path.
Walkways & Driveways across Central New Jersey
We install walkways & driveways throughout Somerset, Hunterdon and Mercer County: