How Much Does Concrete Driveway Repair Cost in 2024?

Concrete Driveway Repair Cost Factors

Size

The average driveway in the U.S. is 640 square feet, but most repairs only involve a small section. In the best-case scenario, you’ll only have to repair a few minor cracks. In the worst-case scenario, you’re looking at replacing your whole driveway. On average, you'll pay between $1 and $25 per square foot for concrete maintenance, and the wide range accounts for the many types of repairs.

Materials and Equipment

Concrete itself costs about $3 to $4 per square foot, but that can quickly rise with a decorative overlay. The gravel base costs $10 to $90 per cubic yard. Though it’s worked into your estimate, the tools and equipment your contractor will use cost around $300.

Labor

You’ll pay $2 to $3 per square foot for concrete work, though your contractor may charge a project minimum for a small job like patching a pothole.

Extent of Damage

The more serious the damage to the concrete, the more it’ll cost to repair. Structural repairs cost far more than filling small cracks and potholes. It is important to be able to identify the type of cracks in your driveway to know whether they can be patched or require a larger repair. Sinking driveways may require foam, mud, or sandjacking, which can cost up to $25 per square foot. Smaller repairs, such as filling minor cracks, won’t cost much.

Concrete Grade

The strength of concrete is dependent on its grade. The higher the grade, the more durability there is. Unfortunately, higher-grade concrete also comes with a higher cost.

Optional Features

Optional features like staining and stamping set your driveway apart from the basic greige, but they come at a price. Replacing slabs or resurfacing a stained or stamped concrete driveway can cost $4 to $15 per square foot. The actual repair cost depends on the type of stamp or stain. 

Number of Cracks

The number of cracks in your driveway will not only determine the size of the area that needs attention but possibly what caused the cracks to begin with. For example, concrete shrinkage cracks are very thin, web-like collections of cracks that occur right after curing. Large structural cracks can be signs of a shifting sub-base or large roots under the earth. Contractors will take the type and number of cracks into account when determining your price.

Site Preparation

Depending on your contractor's hourly rate, you'll pay between $50 and $100 an hour for site preparation costs. The concrete driveway must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before applying most mortars and epoxies. Contracts may also remove weeds, rocks, and even roots that are impeding the driveway. Root removal will cost an average of $100 and $200, for example, and may require the work of a trained landscaper.

Concrete Driveway Repair Cost by Repair Type

Since concrete wears in different ways, there are different types of driveway repairs. If you’re weighing whether to repair or replace your cracked driveway, it’s important to look at the projected cost.

Fixing Cracks 

According to HomeAdvisor, a driveway repair professional will charge as little as $300 to fix minor concrete driveway cracks, but most homeowners can do the job on their own with a rubber or synthetic crack filler. This costs about $0.10 to $0.15 per linear foot—but watch out if cracks are larger than 1/8 of an inch. Larger concrete driveway cracks could signal deeper structural issues that require serious repairs. You’ll want to hire a professional to diagnose the problem. 

Patching Potholes

You can patch potholes with a DIY concrete patch kit from your local hardware store. This costs $10 to $150, but a professional will do the job for as little as $300.

Resealing Concrete

Sealing a concrete driveway may be able to repair small cracks and chips. Expect to spend $0.10 to $0.16 per square foot to seal your concrete driveway or around $60 to $100 for the average 640-square-foot driveway. 

Leveling Uneven or Sunken Concrete

According to HomeAdvisor, mudjacking costs an average of $1,200. It’s often done by pumping materials (like sand, dirt, or foam) under the concrete slab to raise it. The repair types are:

If it’s within the budget, foam jacking is largely regarded as the best option for driveway leveling because it performs well under load-bearing concrete surfaces.

Resurfacing Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveway resurfacing is essentially putting a thin concrete cap on your old driveway to make it look new. At $3 to $5 per square foot, it’s more cost-effective than replacing a damaged slab. Concrete driveway resurfacing costs $1,920 to $3,200 for the average 640-square-foot driveway, but it could cost twice that to resurface stamped or decorative concrete.

Removing and Replacing Damaged Concrete Slab

Sometimes, a portion of your driveway’s concrete is too damaged to repair—whether it’s sunken, uneven, or has deep cracks. In this case, you may need to replace the whole slab. You’ll have to:

• Remove the old concrete slab, which costs about $2 to $6 per square foot, including labor

• Pour a new concrete slab for about $4 to $8 per square foot, including labor

Installing a Rebar or Wire Mesh

Sometimes, your driveway cracks because it needs more support. In this case, a contractor will install a rebar or wire mesh. According to HomeAdvisor, this adds $1 to $3 per square foot to the cost of replacing the concrete slabs.

Installing a New Concrete Driveway

In some cases, hiring a professional to install a new concrete driveway costs less than repairs. Most concrete driveway installation costs $1,800 to $6,000. You’re also looking at an additional $2 to $6 per square foot to demolish and remove your old driveway.

Cost to Repair a Concrete Driveway Yourself vs. Hiring a Professional

Homeowners can make their own minor concrete repairs, which will save them the cost of labor. You can fix a small pothole with a concrete repair patch kit for $10 to $150 or purchase a self-leveling crack sealer for less than $10 a tube.

For any other repairs, hire a professional driveway contractor. Concrete driveways have a lot of layers, and a professional will know which repairs are necessary, which type of concrete will hold up best, and what issues are symptoms of a larger problem.

Cost of Common Driveway Repair Add-Ons

Many homeowners take the opportunity to upgrade their driveways at the same time as other concrete projects, such as walkways and patios. Combining multiple projects into one visit can save you money on labor and overhead costs, particularly if it's easiest to complete some work with the same materials. When hiring a driveway contractor, speak with them about additional projects that can be completed at the same time.

Driveway Paint

In addition to staining concrete, painting your driveway is an option as well. Driveway paint allows you to match the style of your home or lighten your driveway for a more uniform look with the rest of your hardscape. You can either paint your driveway yourself for between $100 and $500 or pay a professional between $1.50 and $4 per square foot. 

Driveway Drainage

When rainwater and melted snow build up in areas of your driveway, they can escalate the concrete's wear and tear. Installing new driveway drainage options is a great way to ensure that water funnels under the concrete and into the road or gutters. The process can be quite costly, however, adding between $1,000 and $18,000 to your bill.

Weed Control

Weed control costs an average of $95 per treatment, though there are plenty of DIY-friendly options as well. Speak with your concrete contractor about whether a landscaper is necessary.

How to Save Money on Driveway Repair Costs

When the cost of concrete driveway repairs seems daunting, remember that there are ways to keep your bottom line low. Most importantly, you do not have to hire the first concrete driveway repair team on your list. Chat with at least three professionals to compare reviews, prices, and contract details. You can also trim driveway repair costs by:

• Performing all prep and cleanup yourself

• Weeding and landscaping around your driveway on your own

• Filling small cracks and concrete popouts as soon as they occur

• Maintaining proper driveway drainage to avoid long-term disrepair

• Checking your homeowner's insurance plan for coverage depending on what caused the damage (a natural disaster, for example)

• Resealing your driveway every two to three years to avoid blemishes, cracks, and dents

• Arranging all driveway repairs in the off-season when contractors are not overbooked

Mariel Loveland contributed to this piece.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

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