How Much Does Pothole Repair Cost?

Pothole repair in Middle Tennessee ranges from $50 for a cold-patch stopgap to $30 or more per square foot for full-depth saw-cut repair with base rebuild. The method that is right for your pothole depends on whether the base underneath is still sound. The cost difference between methods is significant, but so is the lifespan difference.

The quick answer

Cost by repair method

The four repair methods serve different situations and have very different price points. Here is what drives the cost of each:

• Cold patch is a bagged material that requires no heating. It is cheap per hole but does not bond to the surrounding asphalt and will be pushed out by traffic within weeks or months. It is a winter stopgap, not a repair.
• Infrared patching uses a specialized heater to soften existing asphalt, then blends in new hot mix for a seamless, thermally bonded patch. The equipment cost drives the price. It works well for surface failures but cannot reach deep enough to fix base problems. See our cold patch vs hot mix guide.
• Hot-mix surface patching applies new hot-mix asphalt over a prepared area where the base is sound. The cost is driven by material, labor, and compaction equipment. This is the standard repair for potholes where the base has not failed.
• Full-depth saw-cut repair is the most expensive per square foot because it involves saw-cutting, excavating the full depth of asphalt, rebuilding the stone base, and replacing the asphalt in lifts. It is the only method that addresses base failure. See our pothole repair guide for the full process.

What makes pothole repair cost more or less

• Number of potholes. A single pothole repair costs more per unit because mobilization, setup, and minimum charges are spread across a small amount of work. Multiple repairs in one visit are more cost-effective per pothole.
• Size and depth. Larger and deeper failures require more material, more excavation, and more labor.
• Base condition. If the base is compromised and needs rebuilding, the cost jumps significantly because of the additional excavation and base material required.
• Accessibility. Potholes in tight areas, near drainage structures, or in drive lanes that cannot be closed require phasing and add labor time.
• Traffic control. If the lot must remain open during repair, traffic control measures (cones, barricades, flagging) add cost.
• Season. Hot-mix plants close in winter. If you need a permanent repair between December and March, the material may not be available, and cold patch is your only option.

Standalone repair vs bundling

A standalone pothole repair visit often carries a minimum charge of $400 to $750 because the contractor must mobilize a crew and equipment for a small amount of work. If you have multiple potholes or are planning sealcoating or striping, bundling the repair into a larger project reduces the effective cost per pothole significantly.

When patching is a waste of money

Patching a pothole where the base has failed is throwing money away. The patch will sink, crack, or pop out within months because the problem is not at the surface. Here is how to tell whether patching will work or whether you need full-depth repair:

• Patching works when: The pothole is a surface failure, the surrounding pavement is sound, and the base underneath is firm and dry.
• Patching fails when: The pothole keeps returning in the same spot, the surrounding pavement is alligatored, water is standing in the area, or the base is soft when probed.

A contractor who offers to patch a recurring pothole without addressing the base is not solving your problem. They are billing you for a repair that will fail. An honest contractor will tell you when full-depth repair is necessary, even though it costs more per square foot, because it is the only repair that will last. For the full decision framework, see our asphalt repair guide.

How to compare repair quotes

• Method. Is each quote using the same repair method? Cold patch and full-depth repair are not comparable.
• Depth. Does the quote specify how deep the repair goes? Surface-only repairs are cheaper but may not address base failure.
• Base rebuild. If the base is compromised, is excavation and base material included?
• Saw-cutting. Does the quote include saw-cutting straight edges? Feathering material into a hole without cutting edges leads to premature failure.
• Compaction. Is proper compaction equipment included? Uncompacted asphalt will settle and fail.
• Warranty. Does the contractor stand behind the repair?
• Documentation. Will you get before and after photos with dimensions?