Hey, Anthony from Marrone Power Washing here. Right behind "how much does power washing cost," the question I get most is: "How much does it cost to seal my pavers?"
Most paver companies won't tell you. They make you book an appointment just to hear a number. I get the strategy — but it's frustrating when you're trying to budget. So here's an honest breakdown of what paver sealing and restoration actually costs in NJ in 2026, based on the jobs I do across Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex County. Real ranges. No games.
The Quick Answer
Paver work in NJ comes down to two tiers, and which one you need depends entirely on the condition of your pavers:
- Clean & Seal — $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot. For pavers that are in decent shape and just need a deep clean, fresh joint sand, and a protective seal.
- Full Restoration — $3.00 to $6.00 per square foot. For faded, stained, or weed-covered pavers that need the old/failed sealer stripped off, a heavy deep clean, the joints re-sanded, and then sealing.
Most of the full-restoration jobs I do land in that $3–$6 range, because stripping failed sealer and re-sanding the joints is real, hands-on work — and it's exactly what makes tired pavers look brand new again.
The Honest Version
I price every paver job after a free on-site look, because condition is everything with pavers. But you deserve a real ballpark before you ever call — so that's what this page is. No "fill out a form to find out."
Clean & Seal vs. Full Restoration — What's the Difference?
This is the part most homeowners don't realize, and it's the whole reason prices range so much.
A Clean & Seal is maintenance. Your pavers are in good shape — maybe a little dirty, maybe the seal is wearing off — so we deep clean them, top off the joint sand, and lay down fresh sealer. Done.
A Full Restoration is for pavers that have been neglected or had a bad seal job done before. Here, the color has gone flat, weeds and ants are in the joints, and there's often old, failing sealer that has to come off first. That stripping step is the difference. You can't just seal over failed sealer — it has to be removed, or the new coat won't bond. That's why restoration costs more, and why a "$150 quick clean" and a real restoration are two completely different things.
Paver Sealing Cost by Project
To make the per-square-foot numbers real, here's roughly what they work out to for the most common paver projects in NJ. These are ballpark ranges based on typical sizes — your actual number depends on the real square footage, the condition, and the finish you pick.
| Project (typical size) | Clean & Seal | Full Restoration |
|---|---|---|
| Walkway / entryway (~100 sq ft) | $150 – $300 | $300 – $600 |
| Patio (~400 sq ft) | $600 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| Paver driveway (~700 sq ft) | $1,050 – $2,100 | $2,100 – $4,200 |
| Pool deck (~800 sq ft) | $1,200 – $2,400 | $2,400 – $4,800 |
Bigger or smaller area? Just multiply the square footage by the per-square-foot range above. And don't stress about getting the size exact — that's what the free on-site quote is for.
What's Included in a Full Restoration
When I quote a restoration, here's the actual sequence of work you're paying for:
- Strip the old sealer — an industrial stripper removes any failed or hazy sealer so the new coat bonds properly.
- Deep clean — pressure/surface cleaning to pull out years of dirt, mildew, algae, and that white efflorescence haze.
- Re-sand the joints — fresh polymeric sand locks the joints, which is what actually keeps weeds, ants, and shifting out.
- Seal — two coats of a quality sealer in the finish you choose, to protect the color and lock everything in.
You can see the full paver restoration process and before/after results here.
Wet-Look vs. Natural Finish — Which Sealer?
You get to choose the look, and it doesn't change the protection — just the appearance:
- Wet-look / gloss: deepens the color and adds a rich, "just got rained on" shine. This is the dramatic, high-end finish most people picture.
- Natural / matte: protects the pavers without changing how they look — great if you love your current color and just want it sealed and protected.
We'll help you choose the finish that's right for your pavers before any sealer goes down.
What Affects Your Final Price
- Square footage — the single biggest factor; bigger area = more product and labor.
- Condition — a light maintenance seal is fast; heavy staining, weeds, and failed old sealer push you toward the restoration tier.
- How much old sealer has to come off — stripping is the most labor-intensive step.
- Finish — premium wet-look sealers can run a bit more than a standard matte.
- Repairs (separate) — re-leveling sunken or shifted pavers isn't part of the sealing price; it's quoted separately if your pavers need it.
Why Restoration Costs More Than a Quick Clean (And Why It's Worth It)
If you see someone offering to "clean your pavers for $150," they're cleaning — not restoring. There's nothing wrong with a clean if that's all your pavers need. But if your color is gone and the joints are full of weeds, a surface rinse will look good for about two weeks and then you're right back where you started.
A proper restoration brings pavers back to like-new and protects them for years — for a fraction of what it costs to rip them out and re-lay new hardscape. Pavers themselves last 30+ years; what fails is the sand and the sealer. Restoring that layer is the smart, cheaper play.
How Often Should You Reseal Pavers in NJ?
The sealer we use can last up to 5 years — but only if the pavers are maintained. Sealing isn't "set it and forget it"; a little routine upkeep protects the investment and keeps you from needing a full restoration sooner. Here's the simple maintenance that gets you the full five years:
- Blow off leaves and debris every couple of weeks — built-up debris traps moisture and leaves stains.
- Rinse off the pavers every couple of months to keep grime from settling in.
- A soft wash every 1–2 years to deep clean the surface without stripping the seal.
Keep up with that and the seal holds for years. Let it go, and it'll break down faster and need resealing — or a full restoration — sooner. We'll always tell you honestly where yours stands rather than selling you a reseal you don't need yet.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Because condition matters so much with pavers, the most accurate quotes come from a quick look. When you reach out, we typically:
- Ask a few details — what surface (patio, driveway, pool deck), rough size, and the current condition
- Have you text a few photos, or schedule a quick free on-site visit
- Give you a firm, no-obligation quote — not a vague "it depends"
Bottom Line
For pavers in NJ across Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex County:
- Clean & Seal (good-condition pavers): $1.50 – $3.00 / sq ft
- Full Restoration (strip, clean, re-sand, seal): $3.00 – $6.00 / sq ft
Those are honest, real ranges — but every job is different, so the only way to get your true number is a free on-site quote. If another company is quoting dramatically more or less, ask what's actually included. A good contractor will walk you through it without dodging.