How To Save $1,500 On A Curb Ramp
Is that rolled curb at the end of your driveway the bane of your car’s existence? You’re not alone. Thousands of Americans are dealing with jarring rolled curbs that are, literally, a pain in the neck. It is rare, but some people tear out their old rolled curb and then put in a new concrete approach. Or they build their own concrete or asphalt curb ramp (like these).
However, these solutions are pretty pricey and could get you fined. Depending on where you live, it costs about $1800-$2000 to get a new curb at the end of your driveway. Plus, it’s a time consuming process.
The Hassle Of Getting A Permit From The City
To be honest, it’s rare that cities these days will even allow a homeowner to alter the sidewalk. If you are fortunate enough to live where the local government allows this, the process of getting a construction permit can be daunting. But it’s rarely (if ever) as easy as just walking in and being handed a permit over the counter. There’s a whole process you have to go through. Commonly, you would need to:
- Hire an architect to put together a set of drawings of the new curb at the end of your driveway.
- Submit the plan review to the city.
- Wait for the city to go over the plan review, request revisions if needed, approve the plan review, and then finally issue a permit.
You’ll be dealing with the Right-of-Way (ROW) department (or something similar). The ROW department oversees the public walkways, driveways, and roadways (such as sidewalks, bike paths, and such). They’re very particular about the design of your new curb or curb ramp. Since your new curb or curb ramp is going to be partly on a public property (the road), the ROW department can nitpick over a lot of things.
The entire process is quite a hassle for such a small project, but that’s the way it is. Local governments want to know anytime you do anything to improve your property. In addition to right of way issues, improvements generally create increased taxes.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Curb Ramp?
It depends on where you live, but the average cost of getting a new curb ramp is $2,000. The cost includes:
- An architect
- Permit fees
- A contractor
- Materials
You could skip the entire permitting process and just build the ramp yourself, but the city is not going to like it. You could get in trouble with them (and be slapped with a hefty fine) because your makeshift curb ramp could obstruct drainage water flow. It also may interfere with mail trucks, street sweepers, and snowplows that drive along the curb.
How To Save Money On A Curb Ramp
If you want an immediate and affordable solution, get BRIDJIT Curb Ramps. You’ll save at least $1,500 right off the bat, and you can place the curb ramp at the end of your driveway as soon as you get it. Even if you buy the extra BRIDJIT center piece, the cost is less than most alternatives. In many cases, BRIDJIT Curb Ramps are compliant with the city requirements. For example, it has a waterway built in to allow for adequate waterflow and is simple for a mail truck to drive over. It can also be flipped onto the driveway for street sweeper days. If you ask us, getting a BRIDJIT Curb Ramp is a win-win solution.
Read more about BRIDJIT Curb Ramp specs here.
