Concrete driveway cost is determined by strict calculated method rather than a simple square foot price. Throughout my career, in this industry, many times we’ve had customers call us and ask, “How much would it cost to install a new concrete driveway in front of my home. Just give me your square foot price?” And that seems pretty simple right?
Paving a typical two-car concrete driveway of 16 feet wide and 38 feet long (610 sq. Ft.) without curves or slopes costs $3,040. Therefore, the average cost per square foot amounts to $4.99, although it can be higher if excavation is needed.
It seems like it would make sense for a contractor to just be able to throw out a number, doesn’t it? Really, you should be aware of any contractor who is willing to just throw out a number.Why?Let's say you call a contractor and say, 'What's your square foot price? Just give me your square foot price'.Let's also say, just for example, after asking you a few questions, the contractor says '$7.80 a square foot'. You say, 'Oh? Great, can you come and give me a bid?' What do you think that contractor's going to do now? They just found out an idea of your budget and you didn't even realize it.
Now, when that contractor comes to give you a bid, what do you think they're going to do now? They're going to say, 'Well I didn't realize you had this and that so. The price is actually $10.00 a foot'.Sure you could say no, but then this is where the 'fly by nighters' really get you. Now, they know exactly what you're willing to pay for your driveway and they'll make you think they're going to cut their price to earn your business when in reality their going to cut the quality and increase their profits.Asking a contractor, 'What's your square foot price?' Is simply setting yourself up for getting ripped off. Not all of the time, but most of the time.Or equally bad, you've received an estimate for a new concrete driveway and instead of vetting that contractor, you're simply making sure they're in the ballpark on price.
Please be a smart shopper and get two to three bids before you make any decisions. Price should not be the single deciding factor. Experience, reputation, quality of work AND price should all be the deciding factors combined.The truth is, there are many variables that determine the cost to install a concrete driveway.First and foremost, how big or little is the driveway. What is the square footage?How much preparation is involved in order to make the driveway drain properly?How much hand work is involved in installing the concrete where the equipment can’t get to?How far is the job site away from the concrete plant?How many concrete mixer trucks will be needed so the crew doesn’t have to wait around for more material?These are big factors in determining a price to install a concrete driveway.
Obviously, as with just about anything, the more volume, the less the square foot price becomes.So, when a contractor supplies you with a quote, they’re factoring in the following:MobilizationPreparationDelivery costsThe concrete mixThe installationAnd of course. Their profitMobilizationMost contractors will factor in a mobilization fee which is the amount of money it costs just to get the crew and equipment back and froth from a job site. When you look at the cost a contractor incurs just getting to the job site, it can add up pretty quickly.
An average concrete installation crew can run from 5 to 10 members. Factor in the cost of transporting tools and equipment, the hourly wage of 5 to 10 men getting equipment un-loaded, and the cost of fuel to get to the job site. That can easily add up to a few or more hundred dollars and they haven’t even put a bit of concrete down yet. Obviously the bigger the job, the more the mobilization costs are spread out. The smaller the job, the less the mobilization cost are spread out.
This is a big factor in what can make smaller jobs more cost per square foot than larger jobs. The more square footage being installed, the cost decreases.PreparationThe next cost factored into an estimate, is the amount of preparation that’s involved. For that, each driveway is unique in it’s own way. But sometimes, to prepare a driveway for proper drainage, big or little, can be quite a task. The most important aspect to a good installation job is good drainage, and good drainage starts with the preparation. Obviously, we don’t want water running towards our home or into our garage; so making sure the drainage is accounted for properly is the most important aspect of concrete driveway cost. Preparation is obviously a variable in the price of installing a concrete driveway and can only be determined by actually seeing it.MaterialsFirst, if the region you live in requires a sub-grade material to be installed prior to installing the concrete, then this will be indicated on the proposal by the amount of tons of base being installed or by the square feet and thickness of base being installed.Next, is the concrete mix.
Obviously, this part of a cost estimate is a variable depending upon the size of the project and the thickness of the concrete. Contrary to what some people believe, there are no large volume discounts contractors receive from their suppliers. In other words, contractors don’t go to their suppliers and say, “I’m laying down 120 yards of concrete today, how much can you drop the price?' There is no 'volume pricing' in this industry. All contractors pay basically the same price for their materials which is usually agreed upon with their suppliers at the beginning of each season.
So, while the cost of the concrete mix is a variable depending upon the size of the job, the price of the concrete mix is a fixed price. It’s much more likely a contractor that’s been around for any length of time is going to get a slightly better price than other companies, but probably nothing so significant that’s going to make them the lowest bidder by any large figure.DeliveryWhen a contractor gives us an estimate to install a concrete driveway, they’ll need to determine the right amount of mixer trucks needed to deliver the mix. Too many trucks and they’re paying truck drivers to sit around waiting for the others to unload, not enough trucks and the crew is getting paid to wait for the next load to arrive. It’s a balancing act and a mathematical calculation that’s determined by the amount of concrete mix needed for the job, factored by the distance the project is away from the batch plant. The further the project is away from the plant, the more trucks will be needed. The closer it is to the plant, the less trucks are needed. The thicker the concrete slab being poured, the more concrete mix is needed, therefore, the more trucks are needed.
It’s not always a perfect calculation, we try our best when scheduling trucks, but either way it’s a risk that comes out of your contractors profit if it’s miscalculated and not yours.InstallationWhen it comes to the actual installation of the job your contractor will need to determine how much handwork is involved, if any, determine how much time it will take to install the concrete and finish it, as well as factor in usage or replacement costs for the use of equipment and tools. If there are areas the heavy machinery cannot get into, then the preparation must be done by hand, which will take more time. When we factor in the wages and workers compensation insurance of 5 to 10 crew members as well as liability insurance and several thousand dollars in equipment and tools, the charges in the installation process can easily run a couple of hundred dollars per hour.
We have to figure and calculate as best as we can to stay competitive in price. Calculate too little time and we lose money, calculate to much time and we probably won't win the bid. Either way, it’s a risk that comes out of your contractors profit if it’s miscalculated and not yours.ProfitThe last part of the cost to install a concrete driveway is the profit to the contractor. This is obviously a number decided upon by the contractor. Now this number is not only a calculation for profit but it is also a risk vs reward number.
This is a VERY risky business. There is a considerable amount of risk concrete contractors take when running a concrete installation company.
Contractors can lose lots of money very fast if something goes wrong. Broken down piece of equipment, traffic jams, “No Show” employees, weather. All kinds of things can cause us to lose money FAST. There is also a high risk of lives working around all of this heavy equipment and believe me accidents have happened that have taken lives. So, this number is not just about the profit.
These hard working folks take on a lot of risk and work late hours many days in a row for this profit. Concrete installation is seasonal work, in some states, so this number is also an offset for the winter months the company is producing little or no income for themselves, their employees and their businesses.And that’s how the cost is determined for a concrete driveway. In my opinion, any contractor who is willing to throw out a number without any knowledge of any of the things mentioned above, should ALWAYS preface their answer by saying 'I'd have to see it to be 100% accurate but.' And then give you a budget number.Now some contractors may say they'll cut their profits to earn your business.
But we say, 'That’s when you should be very careful! Before you hire any contractor.' See and become familiar with some of the ways these 'fly by night' contractors rip homeowners off!Or make it easy.
Curb appeal, the look of a property from the street, is an incredibly important part of determining a home's value as well as its resale potential. Along with the windows, doors and landscaping, the driveway can add or subtract from the home's overall curb appeal. While there are several options for driveway materials available, one of the most popular and attractive is concrete. The price, style and even makeup of concrete can vary depending on the pouring process and aggregates within, which means that homeowners can easily find the best style and material to fit their driveway needs. The CostsAverage cost per square foot of concrete driveways:. Minimum: $4.
Maximum: $15The cost of a concrete driveway can vary substantially depending on a variety of different factors and choices. The materials alone can cost as little as $1 per square foot for a basic driveway, but the cost to homeowners will be substantially more. The rest of the price is made up of labor costs, additional tools or tool rentals, paying a professional to drive a cement truck and pour wet cement on the spot, using a compactor to ensure that the ground is solid and stable, getting permits for the construction process and even purchasing brick pavers to use around the edge of the finished product, if desired.There are also a number of ways that the cost of concrete can be increased from the standard bottom price. These improvements typically raise the price:. Creating unusually shaped concrete driveways. Driveway thicknesses of more than the standard 4 inches. Hand-broom finish.
Stains. Concrete colors.
Aggregates within the concrete. Multiple scoring patterns or designs. Contrasting borders.
Stencils and patternsAdvantages of Concrete DrivewaysSome of the major advantages of concrete driveways are durability, longevity, minimal maintenance and the variety of finishing and color options. The leading competitor of concrete driveways, asphalt, has a typical lifespan of just 20 years, but concrete driveways can last for more than 40 years when they are installed correctly. This means that homeowners won't have to deal with replacement for several decades. In addition, concrete is far less likely to soften over time, which asphalt has a tendency to do.
This makes concrete the best driveway option in particularly hot climates. While some driveway materials need to be sealed every few years in order to protect their structural integrity, there is minimal, if any, maintenance required to keep concrete in great condition. Finally, many homeowners opt for concrete driveways because there are several unique finishing options available as well as the potential for colored or stained concrete. Disadvantages of Concrete DrivewaysSome of the drawbacks of concrete driveways include the price, the condition in freezing temperatures, the difficulty of repairs and the fact that it cannot be resurfaced. Concrete, even at its most basic, will still tend to be more expensive than asphalt when it comes to installing a new driveway.
For those on a budget, this may be a discouraging factor that knocks concrete driveways off the list of options. Another disadvantage is that concrete driveways are not ideal in climates with sub-zero temperatures for extended periods of time. These cold environments can lead to cracks in the concrete that are unsightly as well as potentially dangerous.
Finally, there is little that can be done to fix or refinish concrete driveways. While repairs are possible, they tend to be expensive, and refinishing is generally not considered to be an option at all. Materials Involved in Concrete DrivewaysThe process of installing a concrete driveway is not as simple as mixing up a few bags of ready-mix concrete and pouring them down. Concrete driveways typically require as many as five sacks of concrete powder for each cubic yard as well as the water necessary to mix it.
Professional installation usually involves bringing in a truck full of already-mixed concrete and pouring it into forms. These forms are made from steel rods as well as wood, which ensures that the concrete has structural integrity and won't crack under the weight of a vehicle.
Some of the materials needed in the construction of a concrete driveway include:. Crushed stone or gravel to be used below the concrete for support and strength. Wood for creating forms. Wet or already-mixed concrete. Steel rebar or wire mesh.
Wooden stakes. String. Level. Broom. Access to clean waterPouring VariationsOne of the things that can increase the cost of a concrete driveway as well as give it a more unique look is the way that the concrete itself is poured and into what shapes it is formed.
The most basic, affordable concrete driveway will be poured as a solid slab, which is the simplest means of installation. By creating numerous wooden forms, however, the driveway can take on a different shape or a different look. If cracking is a concern, one popular option is to pour large squares rather than a slab. This prevents cracking and can create a sort of pattern that draws in the eye. Another option is to leaves gaps in between the squares of rectangles of concrete. These narrow gaps can be filled with gravel, river rocks or even grass for a more appealing driveway.
Aggregates & Finish Options for Concrete DrivewaysThe standard concrete driveway will be in a generic rectangular shape that follows the natural driveway lines of the property, will be a gray color, will be 4 inches thick and will be scored minimally to prevent cracking. This is the kind of driveway that homeowners can expect at the lower-end of the price range. While this style is popular, there are also a variety of ways to upgrade the driveway when it comes to the finish, or the top layer of the concrete. Aggregates, for example, are stones, sand or any other material that gets mixed in with the wet concrete. This creates a textured surface on the driveway which can be eye-catching as well as colorful. There is also the option to stain the concrete while it is still wet or apply a stain to the surface of the dried concrete after it is poured, both of which allow homeowners to have a driveway in just about any imaginable color.
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Other finish options include scoring decorative patterns into the concrete, hand-staining portions of the driveway, stenciling designs onto the driveway or creating a border in a different color or style.
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