Driveway Installation and Replacement on the North Shore, MA
Paver, Belgian-block, concrete, and asphalt driveways built to drain and survive New England winters — across the North Shore.
A driveway takes more abuse than any other surface on your property — freeze-thaw, plow blades, road salt, and the weight of every vehicle you own. A cracked, heaving, or ponding driveway almost always traces back to a failed base or bad drainage. We rebuild driveways on a properly compacted sub-base, pitched so water runs off instead of pooling and re-freezing, with the material that fits your home and budget.
Materials
Driveway materials we install across the North Shore
- Concrete pavers — premium look, repairable, excellent in freeze-thaw
- Belgian-block edging — a clean, classic border for any driveway
- Poured concrete — durable, low-maintenance, broom or exposed finish
- Asphalt — budget-friendly and fast to install
- Permeable pavers — drain in place — helpful for drainage and runoff rules
- Cobblestone aprons — a period-correct entrance for historic homes
The AB Mendez Standard
How we replace a the North Shore driveway
Assess & permit
We check drainage and confirm whether a curb-cut/apron permit or historic review applies.
Remove & excavate
We tear out the old surface and excavate to a stable, compacted sub-base.
Base & pitch
We build and compact the base in lifts and set the pitch so water runs to the street, not your garage.
Surface & edge
We install your chosen surface with clean edging and a finished apron at the street.
Where we work
Driveways in every North Shore town
We’re based in Lynn and work across the North Shore. Pick your town for local details, or call and we’ll come to you.
Permits & review
Do you need a permit for a driveway across the North Shore?
Permit and historic-review rules vary town to town across the North Shore, but the thresholds are similar: fences over 7 ft, retaining walls over 4 ft (or supporting a surcharge), and decks that are attached, over 200 sq ft, or over 30 in above grade generally need a building permit, and many historic districts require review before a permit is issued. We pull the permit and handle any review in whichever town you’re in.
| Material | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Asphalt | $7–$13 / sq ft |
| Poured concrete | $10–$18 / sq ft |
| Concrete pavers | $15–$30 / sq ft |
| Permeable pavers | $18–$35 / sq ft |
Why AB Mendez
Why the North Shore homeowners hire us for driveways
The owner builds it
Anibel Mendez quotes and runs every project here personally — no salesman, no handoff to a sub who has never seen your property.
Engineered for New England
Frost-depth footings, proper drainage, and code-compliant materials. We build for year 10, not the first photo.
Licensed, insured, permitted
Massachusetts HIC registration, full insurance, Dig Safe on every dig, and permits pulled in our name — the boring stuff that separates real contractors from a guy with a truck.
From the owner
“A driveway that ponds water is a driveway that’s already failing — the ice does the rest.”
Standing water freezes, expands, and lifts the surface apart from the bottom up. Getting the pitch and the base right is the whole job. We build driveways that shed water and survive the plow — Anibel Mendez
Driveways FAQ
Common questions
How long does a driveway replacement take?
Asphalt is often 1–2 days; paver and concrete driveways take 3–6 days including base and cure time.
Why does my driveway keep cracking?
Almost always a weak base or poor drainage. We rebuild the sub-base and pitch so it stops.
Pavers, concrete, or asphalt?
Asphalt is cheapest; concrete is low-maintenance; pavers look best and are repairable. We’ll compare them for your home.
Do I need a permit to widen my driveway?
Often yes — widening or a new curb cut usually needs city approval, which we handle.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes — call (781) 731-5303 or request one online.
Free estimates across the North Shore
Let’s talk about your project
One contractor, start to finish — quoted, permitted, and built by the same person.
No-pressure estimate · we pull the permits in our name · one contractor, start to finish.
AB Mendez Masonry & Landscaping · Licensed & Insured · Serving the North Shore of MA