To compare fees, try calling a small civil engineering firm. They do this all the time and can also secure the permit for you. Once you get the permit, you can get bids for the installation which will be a construction firm, not the engineer. You will post a bond so be sure your contractor constructs per plans - yes, VDOT will make you tear or our or just keep your bond $$.

Anonymous wrote:Call this guy

You can do your own permit app, but the inspection process is Fairfax county is really difficult. There are no deviations at all allowed. They WILL make you tear it out and start over if you make a mistake.

I highly recommend this contractor becasue he is very experienced with meeting the county standards. We worked with him on two houses and one was a redo of brand new work because of difficulties meeting the ffx county regs

https://tuckgc.com/

Tuck
(703) 943-9430
tuck@tuckgc.com

Agree he's very knowledgeable but the rates are eye watering. He came out for a quote in 2023 to do a virgin driveway (meaning design, permit and installation) and it was $30K, $25K if signed within a week. Perhaps that's what the going rate is. It just seemed quite $$$ at the time. Still does.

Call this guy

You can do your own permit app, but the inspection process is Fairfax county is really difficult. There are no deviations at all allowed. They WILL make you tear it out and start over if you make a mistake.

I highly recommend this contractor becasue he is very experienced with meeting the county standards. We worked with him on two houses and one was a redo of brand new work because of difficulties meeting the ffx county regs

https://tuckgc.com/

Tuck
(703) 943-9430
tuck@tuckgc.com

Anonymous wrote:You need to get an engineer to draw it up. You can then send it in yourself or the engineer can do it - for a fee of course. VDOT is picky about aprons...has to be done to specific spec and they will inspect it once complete. You will also need to post a bond just in case you don't do it the right way.

MoCo has a cut sheet with all the required dimensions and construction for curb cuts to use. Fairfax might have something similar.

Yes, you apply for the VDOT permit and put up a bond as the homeowner. There is an office off of Old Ox and they do answer the phone - it might be worth leaving a message and having someone talk you through the process. No need to go in person for questions - you can, however, go in person to drop off the permits but they will not answer questions (I certainly did when I had such a large bond check). I found the VDOT folks very knowledgeable and helpful (if a bit inflexible) but clear all the same in what the requirements are.

We did a home expansion that included a garage and the driveway + apron required a $10K bond. This was back in 2015. We did get it back in full a few months after the driveway/apron was complete, but it felt like such a chunk of money out there.

We did have an ask outside of a normal apron expansion, so we did engage an engineer. I believe we paid him $4000, but our case was very unique.

You need to get an engineer to draw it up. You can then send it in yourself or the engineer can do it - for a fee of course. VDOT is picky about aprons...has to be done to specific spec and they will inspect it once complete. You will also need to post a bond just in case you don't do it the right way.

I don't think you need one if the apron is going to be the same size.

Does anyone have experience obtaining a VDOT permit to widen an existing driveway apron? Or are there any firms that would specialize in this type of work? We have contacted quite a few firms and all have said the process of getting a VDOT permit would be up to us, the homeowners.