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Highlights
quick to instal a concrete private road ? Whether you ’re replacing or establish a Modern driveway , the median concrete private road cost is $ 3,000 nationally , with a orbit of $ 1,800 to $ 6,000 . It ’s a worthy investment to make since it protects your landscaping , forbid erosion , and increase your curb appeal . Traditional concrete driveways are among the most popular selection for homeowner since the fabric is familiar and relatively cheap . Concrete driveway costs are mainly pendent on the size and thickness of the private road , but labor , shape , ornamental elements , and geomorphological want will also influence the price . Fortunately , professional drive contractors know how to manage terrain while laying a long - lasting concrete drive .
Factors in Calculating Concrete Driveway Cost
Size and heaviness are the primary factors that influence concrete drive costs . The larger the driveway , the more material is take . A traditional orthogonal driveway will cost less than a stylised one , like a curved driveway with brick pavers along the edges . According to HomeAdvisor , the mediocre monetary value per square foundation is $ 4 to $ 15 , include materials and labour for a standard installation . If you select to set up a more detailed drive , expect to pay between $ 8 and $ 18 per satisfying foot .
Size and Thickness
A single - car private road that ’s 10 feet by 20 feet could cost $ 800 to $ 1,600 , but a larger 24 - substructure by 24 - pes driveway averages $ 2,300 to $ 4,600 . If you choose to boss decorative designs in the concrete , the monetary value will increase beyond those averages . Most concrete driveways are 4 inches thick , but you may need to increase the thickness to defy the superfluous weightiness if you have clayey vehicle or equipment to car park . In oecumenical , concrete is sell by the three-dimensional yard . The average concrete cost per pace is $ 125 to $ 150 .
Design and Shape
Concrete driveways do n’t just have to be a rectangle or second power . Depending on the distance , you may prefer to add a one-half circle for better access , or you could select an L - shape to get at a garage that does n’t straight off face the street . Any curving design will cost more to instal since a contractile organ must especially build up the forms , so the edges are smooth and perdurable . Some nursing home are built on a slope that ca n’t be level , so extra clock time and labor are call for to finish the driveway right . Contractors are quite capable of appraise how to prepare the concrete ’s foundation and pour the concrete so it maintain the proper grade .
Laborand Permits
Labor make believe up 40 percent of concrete driveway toll . If the median cost is $ 4 to $ 15 per square foot , then labor movement normally makes up about $ 1.60 to $ 6 per solid ft , and the toll of concrete material make up the residue . manual laborer will cook the website , build the concrete form , add rebar if needed , lay the concrete , then smooth out it out . After the concrete has cured , the forms are removed .
Permits are n’t always required before building a drive , but it ’s best to check with your local agency anyway . Typically , if a concrete apron has already been installed in a section , the city is potential to waive any license . If not , the average permit prices are $ 50 to $ 200 .
Site Condition and Prep
fresh construction driveway sometimes need surplus exploit to set up the site for pouring concrete . Trees and rocks will be removed , and odd ground is level . If the terrain is course sloped from the star sign to the street , the contractor will carefully rate the driveway to assure proper drain . Any heavy equipment required during site prep will be special .
Old Driveway Removal
Removing an sometime private road is a unlike sort of web site preparation for a new concrete driveway . Driveways that are in disrepair will need to be fracture up and hauled to the dump . A private road contractor has access to the equipment required to get this heavy job done quickly and usually charge $ 1 to $ 4 per square foot .
Concrete Typeand Finish
Concrete cost vary base on the case of concrete you choose to have install . Most private road install plain gray concrete , but you could line up up the appearance with a stained or stamped private road as well . These ornamental feature article be supernumerary , but they make for an likable feature . A varnished driveway price $ 6 to $ 12 per square human foot , and a stamped private road cost $ 8 to $ 15 .
Polished concrete is not advocate for outdoor drive since it is slippery when wet . Most swarm concrete driveways are left fluent or include a broom finish , textured coating , or even an exposed mass conclusion for a more raw appearance . A unmistakable finish toll between $ 6 and $ 8 per square ft to instal , but the other canonical conclusion cost $ 8 to $ 12 .
Lumber Prices
Lumber prices can vary wide from area to region and from one season to the next . Driveway contractors need lumber to build the kind that work your drive , so if lumber cost are gamey , the average monetary value of your novel private road will also increase . The bit of 2×4 lumber pieces required will vary based on the size of the driveway being construct .
Geographic Location
Price for labor and material are settle by geographic locating . Urban domain be given to have higher labor movement rate than other areas , and the time of year can also dissemble the cost . Some regions have climates that prevent year - round concrete drive installations , so requirement and expenses may increase during the even time of year .
Additional Costs and Considerations
When budget for concrete driveway costs , there are a few more factors you ’ll want to consider . The terrain could ask additional oeuvre or cloth to ensure the driveway is unchanging , and some speciality designs could be added at an extra cost .
Heating
In colder climate that get a lot of ice and Baron Snow of Leicester in the wintertime , heated driveway have become a democratic option . instal a radiant heating system under your driveway to prevent ice buildup is a helpful way to keep the private road dependable during ice or snowstorms . The average cost of a het up driveway is $ 12 to $ 25 per square foot . Since concrete is n’t well suited for glacial temperatures , heating the concrete could stretch forth the life of your driveway , which clear it an excellent investment funds and selling point .
Brick and Stone Borders
To bestow some style to a standard concrete driveway , prefer to add a mete around the edges . brick and paving stones make fantabulous borders to spruce up the appearance of a concrete driveway . await to pay $ 6 to $ 15 per analog foot to add a brick or Isidor Feinstein Stone border . Most driveway contractor can install these borders , or they will subcontract that task to a bricklayer .
Rebar
If a driveway is expected to carry a heavy load or have a quite a little of traffic on it , then the contractor will desire to lay rebar in the foundation . Rebar or wire mesh is implement as a power system inside the concrete form where the fuddled concrete is teem on top to form a reward surface . lay rebar costs an extra $ 1 to $ 3 per hearty foot since extra materials and labor are ask .
Concrete Driveway Apron
Most municipalities require a concrete forestage to connect a driveway to the road . It ’s typically the same width as the driveway and includes where a sidewalk is built . Often , this proscenium is built when a developer gear up a new living accommodations developing , as it ’s cheaper to do all at once . If an apron does not already exist , the fair cost to build one is $ 3 to $ 10 per square ft . They are consider a public access space , so be sure to check with local authority to check that it ’s built to code .
Sealing
seal off your concrete drive is a finishing selection that helps keep your drive in bang-up shape longer . It can forbid cracks from look , protect it from de - frost chemical , and lengthen its lifespan . Some contractors admit it mechanically in the quotation , so you ’ll want to ask to make certain . On average , it costs $ 0.50 to $ 2.50 per square foot to varnish a driveway . If you ’ve choose a specialty grime , then it must be sealed to protect the color .
Concrete Driveway Cost by Type of Concrete
Most driveways are made ofconcrete or asphalt , depend on the region you live in . Concrete driveways are a democratic option due to their low-toned price and long life-time . If you ’re budgeting for concrete driveway price , ensure out these three type of concrete .
Standard
A standard , unmistakable gray driveway occur to judgement most often when the phrase “ concrete drive ” is mentioned . It ’s the most economical option for concrete driveway costs , with an norm of $ 4 to $ 6 per square foot . The price is divided — almost equally — by fabric and confinement , but both will increase with the size or shape of the driveway .
Stained
If you prefer to coordinate plan elements for a unique look , maculate a driveway might be a heavy option . defile provide depth and grain to your concrete and will catch the eye of every passerby . It costs around $ 6 to $ 12 per solid foot to add together a stain to the driveway . It ’s done while the concrete is still crocked and can be polished or lusterlessness when cease .
Stamped
stamp a private road has become a democratic option for homeowners who require to reach a Harlan Stone or wood look without the toll or impracticableness of inapplicable materials . For $ 8 to $ 15 per square foot , a contractile organ can emboss the wet concrete in any pattern you ’ve agreed on . Choose from paving stone designs , inlay brick , or even wood planks to spruce up your concrete private road .
Do I Need to Replace My Concrete Driveway?
Every concrete driveway will inevitably need to be replaced at some point . as luck would have it , they should last 30 to 40 long time , so this is not a recur expense , but there are some uncouth signal to have it away when to start design a replacement driveway .
Multiple Potholes
Thoughasphalt drivewaysare more prone to getting potholes , it ’s possible that a concrete drive could experience potholes from worn - out or poorly laid concrete . Any domain that ’s more exposed to plastered atmospheric condition is prone to deteriorate more quickly . If potholes have look on your drive , it ’s time to replace it .
Interconnected Cracks
unseal driveways often show hairline cracks after the first few years due to cold temperature and the weight of large vehicles . fracture that are less than ¼-inch wide can be repair and sealed , but larger fling ca n’t be repaired effectively . In larger cracks , water seeps in and freezes in cold temperature . Since ice exposit , the crevice will continue to extend and threaten the morphologic integrity until the concrete in the end splits aside . This is especially true once multiple cracks become connected . supplant your driveway when cracks over ¼-inch wide of the mark appear .
Age
Most concrete driveway last 30 to 40 years , but that can vary based on a few cistron . A driveway that ’s seal , well keep , or reinforced with rebar could last up to 50 age . If a private road is unseal , in a cold clime , or experience heavier than average traffic , it may fracture down within 20 year . An former drive will show seeable star sign of scathe when it postulate to be supervene upon .
Drainage Issues
A properly installed concrete driveway should debilitate excess body of water to the street . This is easy in most suburban areas where driveways are rectangular launchpad that connect right to the street . Curved or splatter driveways may need additional care to ensure no water kitty on the concrete or near the house . If water get pool in the center of your drive or by your home ’s founding , you ’ll involve to replace the private road to make it structurally sound again .
Benefits of Choosing a Concrete Driveway
away from being a scurvy - cost textile for establish a private road , concrete issue forth with several welfare that make it a great option . Concrete drive are low upkeep , reflect warmth well , and have a mellow freight - carry capacity . In comparing , asphalt drive toll are also lower up front , but the lifespan is shorter , which is just one ground a concrete drive may be a better option .
Low Up-Front Cost
At $ 4 to $ 15 per straight foot , concrete drive are a more low-cost choice than some textile like pave rock . When you debate the longevity of a concrete driveway , the cost is a good investment funds overall .
Heat Reflection
If you hold up in an area with hot , cheery summers , concrete is a sensible option since it mull warmth and light rather than absorbing it . mineral pitch driveways run to engross heat and moderate in extreme temperatures , so choosing concrete will ensure it ’s sturdy enough to last through a sweltry summer .
Curb Appeal and Resale Value
Even a received concrete driveway boosts curb appeal . lay a indestructible foundation for automobile to drive on is a requisite for householder now . It help forbid erosion or damage to the property and makes a neat show leading to the business firm . A sign of the zodiac with a concrete driveway in good condition will sell more quickly than a house without a ruined driveway .
Low Maintenance, Durability, and Longevity
Concrete driveways require little in term of ongoing maintenance — even less if they ’re seal . While an asphalt drive may need to be touch on frequently and replace within 15 to 20 years , a concrete private road is less prone to damage from everyday life . mineral pitch driveways require seal every 3 to 5 geezerhood , but concrete private road just need a little sealant to repair tiny cracks that may seem over time . Overall , a concrete drive is a blue - tussle and long - lasting choice for a driveway .
Load-Bearing Capacity
Since concrete undergoes a chemical outgrowth called curing , it ’s a durable and stable foundation for supporting vehicles and other complex body part . While a 4 - in - thick-skulled drive is sufficient for most cars and motortruck , if you project to park recreational vehicles or other heavy equipment on the drive , the thickness can be adjusted to account for the extra weight . A solid concrete driveway wo n’t dip where park tires sit .
Eco-Friendliness
Asphalt is not the most eco - well-disposed private road option : Asphalt is made from crude , a special natural resource . It requires intensive minelaying and processing that releases harmful VOCs ( volatile organic chemical compound ) into the standard atmosphere . Concrete is made from naturally go on mineral and can be readily recycle when it ’s reach the end of its lifespan . Well - maintained concrete lasts longer , so there ’s less waste grow in the long term .
Concrete Driveway Installation: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
make unnecessary well-nigh half the damage of concrete driveway costs can be tempting for many homeowners eager to DIY as many projects as possible . However , laying a concrete drive is not a simple task by any stretch of the imagination . Even if the driveway were a uncomplicated flat rectangle , there are several complexities involve in making sure that the concrete for a driveway is properly interracial . There are additional complexities in making sure the drive is level ( yet sloped just enough for drainage ) and correctly shape . homeowner also do n’t typically own the proper concrete equipment to complete this kind of job . The jeopardy of pouring your own driveway is substantial since it could break through , cure ill , or cause house initiation problems if it ’s done wrong .
Thankfully , a licensed professional drive contractile organ can annul all of these potential pitfalls . The benefits of paying for the labor to install a concrete driveway overbalance the toll of a poor installation that only lasts a few years . Concrete specialists can make brusque work of a long caper , no matter how ambitious . Whether your house is build on a hill or you want a strong concrete pad with a semi - R-2 , the money is well spend on a driveway contractor . While it would take a homeowner at least 50 hour to complete independently , a pro can complete it quicker and guarantee their employment .
How to Save Money on Concrete Driveway Cost
Building a new driveway can quickly become expensive if you want to customize the designing or form . And if you have an live private road in poor condition , consider booking a consultation with a declarer to see if the driveway can be repaired or else . This is a budget - favorable option as long as the hurt is n’t grievous . Simply do a quick search for “ driveway repair near me ” to find a reputable contractile organ . Here ’s a helpful list of ways to carry through money on concrete driveway price .
Questions to Ask About Concrete Driveway Cost
Since concrete driveways should last longer than most rest home mortgages , you desire to experience confident that your money has been well spent with the veracious contractile organ . Asking some specific questions for your projection before hiring a contractor can help ensure the problem will be done right , forbid miscommunication , and alleviate any concerns .
FAQs
Still question about the cost to install a driveway ? We ’ve put together a few frequently expect questions about concrete driveway price to help guide your decision .
A simple , traditional driveway typically costs $ 4 to $ 15 per square foot . Customizing designs or tally unique features can increase that price up to $ 20 per straight foot . A standard 20 - understructure by 20 - metrical unit private road costs $ 1,600 to $ 8,000 , depending on the customizations you opt .
On the whole , it ’s garish to pour a concrete driveway than to lie pavers . While Isidor Feinstein Stone or brick pavers have their charm , they are a more expensive stuff to purchase by the straightforward foot , and they demand more intensive Department of Labor to install . However , two price - effective vantage to moot for Isidor Feinstein Stone pavers are that they are much easier to revive if they are damaged and can hold temperature fluctuation .
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The terms “ concrete ” and “ cement ” are sometimes used interchangeably , but they are fairly different . Cement is the wry binding agent used to create concrete , but it ca n’t be used on its own for driveway installations . It ’s usually made of limestone and clay and helps make the smooth surface of concrete , including cementum , rocks , moxie , and water . combine all of those elements helps make a firm and indestructible open that can hold out labored use .
Building a concrete driveway involves several step that must be done correctly and on schedule since wet concrete start out to inure as soon as it ’s laid.1 . Prepare the internet site to remove obstacle , tear down the earth , compact the soil , or adjust the slope.2 . Build wood forms to view as the wet concrete in place.3 . Pour the Cuban sandwich - infrastructure of gravel , then tamp it down and dismantle it.4 . secular rebar or telegram mesh if additional living is need for heavy equipment.5 . Pour wet cement into each word form , paying attention that each corner is take correctly.6 . go around and combine the concrete equally to make certain the rocks are hidden under the cementum binder.7 . Level and shine the cement with a hired man air bladder , brush , or texturing tool.8 . Cut the concrete into slab using wooden joist to prevent cracking.9 . Clean the driveway , andlet it curefor several day to calendar week before using.10 . Seal the concrete .
Most concrete driveways last between 30 and 40 long time .
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Article Sources
HomeAdvisor , Fixr , Angi , HomeGuide , Cement.org
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Photo: depositphotos.com
Photo: depositphotos.com
Photo: depositphotos.com
Photo: depositphotos.com
