Concrete Installation FAQ's

The Short Answer: A concrete driveway runs between $7.00 and $18.00 Per Sq Ft nationwide.

The Real Answer: It depends. Is it a brand new concrete driveway on virgin ground or are you removing and replacing an existing concrete driveway? How big is it?

To get closer to the real cost, variables that can add to the price of a new concrete driveway:

The size of the driveway. How much excavating and grading is needed for proper water drainage? Will there be steel reinforcement or wire mesh? Fiberglass mesh in the concrete mix? PSI rating? Color added? Stamped or patterned? Control joints hand cut in with a groover while it's still wet or saw cut in after it's dried? How thick will the concrete be?

Concrete driveway costs are determined by a strict calculated method that honest concrete professionals use. Since every job is entirely different from the next, your job will not cost the same as the one down the street or the one in the next neighborhood over.

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The Short Answer: Yes. Unfortunately, it’s not IF a new concrete driveway will crack, but WHEN and WHERE it will crack.

On The Other Hand: Many cracks soon after installation could be a sign of a poorly installed concrete driveway. If you're seeing excessive cracking on your new concrete driveway, something could be very wrong.

Answer: The thickness of a concrete driveway should be a minimum of 4".

But what's the condition of the soil it's being installed on? A concrete driveway is only as good as what's beneath it, regardless of the thickness.

For a more in depth answer regarding concrete thickness, read this article.

Answer: A concrete driveway is only as stable as what's beneath it.

Is it clay and expands and heaves? Is it sandy? Then a solid base should be installed before installing a concrete driveway.

Is the natural soil decomposed granite or has there been a base material installed previously? Then likely there is no need to add base material.

We wrote an article on concrete driveway base preparation that covers this topic in more detail.

Answer: Sealing the surface of the concrete should be done on a regular basis. Typically every 3 to 5 years.

Sealing cracks as they appear will greatly sustain the life of a concrete driveway.

The Short Answer: Typically it takes several days to install a concrete driveway. Excavation for drainage, fine grading and compacting, setting forms, installing steel or wire reinforcement can take 2 to 3 days.

Pouring the concrete and finishing can take 1 to 2 days.

Freshly poured concrete must sit for up to 7 days before being used.

The Real Answer: The amount of time it takes to install a concrete driveway depends on the size of the driveway, the amount of excavation and fine grading needed to complete the job and the type of finish chosen.

Answer: While the list can be almost endless, the most common finishes are broom finish and sand finish. A multitude of different looks and colors can be accomplished with colored stamped and patterned finishes.

Find ideas and see some beautiful, colorful concrete driveway designs submitted by some of our users and contractors.