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You’ve probably seen it. Driveways that crack within two winters. Pavement that sinks near the garage. Water pooling at the apron because someone skipped the grading step or didn’t understand how Dix Hills soil drains.
Long Island’s freeze-thaw cycles don’t forgive shortcuts. Water gets under the surface, freezes, expands, and destroys whatever’s above it. That’s not a material problem—it’s a preparation problem.
Our approach starts below grade. We excavate to the right depth for your soil type, install proper drainage where needed, compact the base in layers, and make sure water moves away from your foundation. Then we pave. That’s how you get a driveway that holds up to snow, salt, traffic, and time.
Rolling Hills Property Services is based in Smithtown and works throughout Suffolk County. We’re licensed, insured, and we’ve handled enough excavation and paving projects across Long Island to know what works here and what doesn’t.
Dix Hills has sandy soil with drainage challenges that most contractors either don’t recognize or don’t want to deal with. We handle it in-house—excavation, grading, drainage, paving. You’re not coordinating three different crews or hoping the paver shows up after the excavator disappears.
We also handle the permits. Suffolk County has requirements, and if they’re not filed correctly, you’ll hear about it when you try to sell your house. We take care of it upfront so you don’t deal with it later.
We start with a site assessment. That means looking at your existing driveway, checking the grade, identifying drainage issues, and understanding what’s underneath. If there’s poor compaction or standing water, we need to know before we dig.
Next is excavation. We remove the old surface and dig down far enough to build a stable base—usually 12 to 18 inches depending on soil conditions and how the driveway will be used. For Dix Hills’ sandy soil, depth and compaction matter more than you’d think.
Then we grade and compact the base in layers. This is where most problems get prevented or created. We use compactors and check for proper slope so water drains away from your house and garage. If you need a French drain or catch basin, we install it here.
After the base is set and inspected, we pave. Asphalt goes down hot, gets compacted, and cures over time. You’ll need to stay off it for a day or two, but after that, it’s ready for normal use. We clean up the site, haul away debris, and walk you through any maintenance recommendations.
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You’re getting complete site preparation. That includes excavation to the correct depth for your soil type, grading for proper drainage, base installation with compaction, and asphalt paving. We also handle permit applications with the Town of Huntington, which oversees Dix Hills.
If your property has drainage problems—water pooling near the foundation, soggy areas along the driveway, or runoff issues—we address that during excavation. French drains, catch basins, and regrading are part of the conversation before we pour anything.
Dix Hills sits on sandy soil with a high water table in some areas. That means your base needs more attention than properties with clay or rock. We adjust compaction methods and base materials based on what we find during the site assessment. It’s not one-size-fits-all.
You’ll also get a walkthrough after the job. We explain how to maintain your new driveway, when to seal it, and what to watch for as it settles. Most asphalt driveways need sealcoating every two to three years to protect against UV damage and water infiltration.
Most residential driveway installations take three to five days from excavation to final paving. That timeline assumes normal weather, no utility conflicts, and a straightforward site.
Day one is usually excavation and hauling away old material. Day two involves grading, compaction, and base prep. Day three is when asphalt gets installed, though we sometimes split paving into two days if the driveway is large or has multiple sections.
Weather affects everything. We can’t pave in rain, and temperatures need to stay above 50 degrees for asphalt to cure properly. Spring and fall are ideal. Summer works but asphalt cures faster in heat, so timing matters. Winter paving isn’t recommended on Long Island because freeze-thaw cycles start before the surface fully hardens.
Yes. Dix Hills is part of the Town of Huntington, and they require permits for new driveway construction or full replacements. The permit process involves submitting a site plan, showing drainage details, and sometimes getting approval from the highway department if your driveway connects to a town road.
We handle permit applications as part of the job. Most homeowners don’t want to deal with paperwork, and honestly, it’s easier when we submit everything because we know what the town wants to see.
Skipping the permit isn’t worth it. If you sell your house and the buyer’s attorney finds unpermitted work, it becomes your problem. You’ll need to get a retroactive permit, which costs more and delays closing. Some buyers walk away entirely. Just get it done right the first time.
Poor base preparation. That’s the main reason. Long Island’s freeze-thaw cycles expose every shortcut. Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks apart whatever’s above it.
If the base wasn’t excavated deep enough, compacted properly, or graded for drainage, water sits under the pavement. Over time, that water erodes the base, creates voids, and causes the surface to sink or crack. It doesn’t matter if you used premium asphalt—if the foundation fails, the driveway fails.
Dix Hills has sandy soil that drains differently than clay. Contractors who don’t adjust their methods end up with driveways that settle unevenly. We excavate deeper in sandy areas, use specific base materials, and compact in layers to prevent movement. It takes longer but it’s the only way to avoid callbacks two winters later.
Asphalt costs less upfront, installs faster, and handles freeze-thaw cycles better than concrete. It’s flexible, so it can expand and contract with temperature changes without cracking as easily. Most Dix Hills homeowners choose asphalt for that reason.
Concrete lasts longer if installed perfectly, but it’s more expensive and takes longer to cure. It also shows salt stains and can crack badly if water gets underneath during winter. Repairs are harder too—you can’t just patch concrete and have it blend in.
Both materials need proper base prep. That part doesn’t change. If you’re deciding between the two, think about budget, timeline, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Asphalt needs sealcoating every few years. Concrete doesn’t, but when it cracks, you’re looking at full slab replacement in most cases.
Most residential driveways in Dix Hills run between $8,000 and $15,000 depending on size, site conditions, and how much excavation is needed. A standard two-car driveway with normal drainage usually falls in the middle of that range.
If your property has drainage problems, a steep grade, or difficult access for equipment, costs go up. Same thing if we need to remove a lot of old material, install French drains, or deal with tree roots. We give you a detailed estimate after the site assessment so there aren’t surprises later.
Price matters, but it’s not the only thing that matters. A cheap driveway that cracks in two years costs more in the long run than paying for proper excavation and base prep upfront. You’re better off spending a little more now to avoid repaving in five years.
Late spring through early fall. Asphalt needs warm temperatures to install and cure properly—ideally between 50 and 85 degrees. That usually means May through October on Long Island.
Summer is busy, so if you’re planning a driveway project, schedule it early. We book up fast between June and September. Spring and fall give you more flexibility and sometimes better pricing because demand is lower.
Avoid winter paving. Asphalt doesn’t bond well in cold weather, and freeze-thaw cycles start before the surface fully cures. You’ll end up with premature cracking and a shorter lifespan. If your driveway is failing and it’s November, wait until spring. Temporary patches can get you through winter without committing to a full install in bad conditions.
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