Pavers vs Concrete driveway

Started by AnthonyR1 • 7 replies • 2601 views

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AnthonyR1 (California)
Posts: 8

Posted:

We live in a 45 unit townhouse community in Northern California. Each unit has a driveway that is exclusive use, but common property.
The driveways are concrete and are scheduled to be replaced next year. (They need it, so the timing is great)

We haven't yet received bids, but the Board is very interested in using pavers instead of concrete. The benefits they believe are (1) pavers can be pulled up and replaced if a driveway section needs to be dug up for repairs vs a concrete driveway that will end up with patches that don't match the surrounding concrete and (2) that pavers will add value to the property.

If we use pavers, we will have to have a special assessment.

Any other HOAs that have faced the decision of pavers vs concrete?

Personally, I don't believe that pavers are the best choice for the money. I don't see pavers as adding value to the property. The driveways are not dug up that often for underground repairs. If we use concrete, we would save more money during install that we could afford replace a full driveway instead of patching, therefore eliminating mismatched patches of concrete on a single driveway.

Thoughts?

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

If we use pavers, we will have to have a special assessment.

What to your HOA members... the people that must pay for this want?

JimR24 (Texas)
Posts: 399

Posted:

Interesting question - i found this on the internet (see below link)...i thought it offered a pretty good explanation of this subject.

http://www.greenspirelandscaping.com/truth.asp

Lovin' life with my honey!
and, President of HOA in Texas

MikeL13 (South Carolina)
Posts: 83

Posted:

As I read so many times on this forum. Read your documents! Our CCRs state that there must be a meeting called for the purpose of the special assessment and there must be a yes vote of at least 51% in order for it to pass.

AnthonyR1 (California)
Posts: 8

Posted:

OK, more clarification:
I am on the Board and know that a special assessment requires a vote.

My question is regarding pavers vs concrete: I am seeking advice from other HOAs who have contemplated the decision of pavers vs concrete. What are the pros and cons that you considered and what made you decide to use one material over the other?
Thanks!

BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535

Posted:

Anthony,

We don't use pavers for driveways, but we do use them for front walkways leading from the driveways to the front doors.

Here's the problem we are starting to have. You will need to replace pavers that become damaged over the years. That's fine, but what do you do when the manufacturer discontinues the pavers you've used? That's exactly what happened to us. We recently purchased an entire pallet (the last one) of our pavers that were discontinued by the manufacturer. We have a supply that will last a few years but we will eventually be faced with having to replace entire walkways with entirely different pavers because we will no longer be able to replace only a few broken ones with others that match.

I've seen this happen in other situations as well. There is a community in Florida that has tile roofs on some of the homes. The tiles were discontinued by the manufacturer. Eventually, entire roofs will have to be replaced instead of replacing only a few broken tiles since exact replacements will no longer be available.

There is no guarantee the manufacturer will continue making the particular pavers you choose forever.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

What is the average length & width of the driveways? Or do they vary a lot?

MikeL13 (South Carolina)
Posts: 83

Posted:

Bruce has a very good point. Another issues is pavers sinking where heavier traffic is. I have seen many times where a driveway is perfectly fine except where the tires travel most often. They sure do look nice. Not sure if they are worth it in the long term.

I'm curious why you are looking into the extra expense of pavers. Is it just for the
aesthetics? It's nice to know you understand the need for a vote. Do you believe you will have the support for a special assessment and the increase of regular assessment to cover reserves of future paver replacement?

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