Ground, water and winter in Hoffman
Clinton County farm ground holds water, and a flat village sits on top of it. Winters here cross freezing many times rather than staying frozen, and each cycle works water further into the base. The defense is the same every time: a grade that drains, soft material removed and rock compacted in layers.
A cheap bid usually gets cheap somewhere you cannot see. Ask what depth of stone goes down, how thick the asphalt is after rolling, and who fixes it if water still stands.
Compacted asphaltTypically 2 to 3 in. for a car drive
Stone baseTypically 4 to 8 in., compacted
Drive on itUsually 2 to 3 days, longer in heat
First sealcoatTypically 6 to 12 months after paving
Typical ranges. Your Hoffman estimate is sized to the soil, the traffic and the drainage on your property.