5 Questions to Ask About Concrete Driveway Installation

Concrete driveways are durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain, making them a popular choice with homeowners nationwide. If you plan to hire a pro to pour a new driveway at your home, you’ll need to answer these concrete driveway questions first.

1. When do you need the work done?

The best time to pour concrete is when the temperatures are between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperatures are too hot, there’s a risk that the concrete will lose moisture due to evaporation. And if it’s too cold, it can take longer for the concrete to cure and is in danger of shifting over time. Concrete driveway pros might charge less to pour a concrete driveway in the off-season, but it might be worth paying more to install the driveway during optimal weather.

2. How big is the driveway surface?

Driveways come in various shapes and sizes. A contractor will need to know the approximate size of the driveway to give you an accurate cost estimate. Concrete driveways cost between $4 and $20 per square foot to install. Therefore, you’ll pay an average of $800 to $3,000 for a 200-square-foot driveway and $3,500 to $13,000 for an 864-square-foot driveway.

3. What type of concrete surfaces do you want to have installed?

There are several different types of concrete you can use for a driveway. All-purpose concrete can be used in any climate and costs $120 to $270 per cubic yard. If you plan to park a heavy truck or RV on the driveway, you might need high-strength concrete, costing $160 to $210 per cubic yard. Finally, limecrete is a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete but costs more at $200 to $210 per cubic yard.

4. Is this a replacement?

Do you need to replace an existing concrete driveway or install a new one in a location that didn’t previously have a driveway? If you’re replacing an existing driveway, a pro might be able to perform some basic repairs for less money overall, as long as the driveway is in decent shape. But if you’re installing a new driveway, the costs will be higher because the ground must be prepped before your contractor can pour the concrete.

5. Which concrete finish do you want for the driveway?

A basic concrete driveway can simply be poured and left to cure before use. However, there are several options for concrete finishes if you want to spruce up the look of your otherwise dull concrete driveway. Broom-finishing concrete is achieved by dragging a broom over the wet surface, creating a subtle texture. This finishing method costs $8 to $12 per square foot. You can also opt for a stamped concrete finish for $12 to $18 per square foot or a stained concrete finish for $18 to $20 per square foot. Your concrete driveway pro can help you choose the best finish for your concrete driveway.