A concrete driveway is a valuable investment that offers many benefits like protecting your landscape and maintaining the curb appeal of your property. Whether you plan to install a new concrete driveway or renovate an old one, you will need to know the price to plan your finances and make an informed decision.
The national average cost for plain concrete driveways ranges from $1800 to $6000, or $6 to $15 per square foot. The price of stamped concrete with multiple patterns and colors is slightly higher, ranging from $12 to $18 per square foot. The costs depend on multiple factors, which include space measurement expenses, the quality of concrete, size of the driveway, the location of the property, and the basecoat quality.
When you decide on taking this vital step, you should weigh the cost factors and work with an expert for the right price estimations. At Richfield Blacktop, we pride ourselves on having extensive knowledge of concrete driveways and its costs. Because of this, our experts have compiled a brief overview of what you can expect should you choose to install a concrete driveway on your property.
Average Costs to Pour Concrete
The cost of pouring concrete depends on the type of concrete you use. Here are the three main types of concrete and their average prices:
- Standard concrete: $4 – 7 per square foot
- Stained concrete: $6 – 12 per square foot
- Stamped concrete: $8 – 15 per square foot
Average Cost of Concrete Driveway Components
Concrete requires more than mixed cement. When calculating the overall costs of the installation, you should figure out the cost of components needed to make the installation a success. Here are some of the things a contractor may need for concrete installation:
- Gravel base: It ensures that the concrete does not crack or fall apart. The average cost of a gravel base is $15 to $20 per ton.
- Reinforcements: These structures are usually made from galvanized steel mesh or fiber as they must remain strong even when a heavy vehicle passes. Costs starts at $0.2 to $0.8 per square foot. If the concrete is thick, you may need a rebar which costs anywhere between $3 and $6 per square foot.
- Sealants: You may seal the joints to collect dirt and debris. The sealant can cost you $2 to $5 per square foot.
- Lumber and stakes: Lumber and stakes keep the concrete in shape before turning liquid to solid. The average cost of the lumber and stakes is $100.
- Land excavation costs: Expenses incurred to remove flowers, plants, debris, and other objects on the driveway. The excavation costs range from $1 to $5 per square foot.
- Apron cost: An apron connects your driveway to the public road. The maintenance is done by the municipality, but you have to budget for the initial installation cost of $3 and $10 per square foot.
Average Labor Costs For A New Concrete Driveway
Labor costs vary among contractors. However, you can expect to pay anything between $8 and $15 per square foot, depending on the project’s complexity. Some contractors charge per hour and their pricing may range from $30 to $50 per hour. Before the project commences, we recommend that you understand the pricing method of the contractor to avoid inconveniences.
Concrete Driveway Permit
Concrete driveway installation is a building and remodeling project, so you need a permit for the project. The cost of the permit ranges from $50 to $200, according to the complexity of the installation and the size of your driveway.
Concrete Driveway Replacement
Are you planning to replace an existing driveway? If so, you will need to budget for removing the old concrete. This includes paying a contractor to remove the old pavement and possibly, hire a dumpster to remove them.
You may incur $0.50 and $1.50 per square foot to remove the existing driveway material. In addition, you can budget for the initial installation of the new driveway concrete, which depends on the type of cement you intend to use, and the size of your driveway.
Maintaining A Concrete Driveway
Concrete requires proper care and maintenance to last for a more extended period. The essential maintenance requires the following:
- Penetration sealing in the first year to reduce moisture absorption. The average cost of the seal is $1.00 – $1.50 per square foot.
- Annual pressure washing to get rid of mold and mildew. You may pay $1 to $2 per square foot for pressure washing.
- A sealant can be added to your concrete driveway after two years for added protection. The average resealing cost is $1 per square foot.
- Saving for possible repairs in case of damage is highly recommended as the costs will depend on the extent of the damage and the contractor you hire.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Concrete Installation
It’s slightly cheaper to do the concrete installation on your own because you don’t pay for the labor. So for DIY, you may budget for the materials only, whose costs range from $3 and $4 per square foot without any additives.
However, DIY is only applicable for simple tasks, and you should only do it if you have the tools and the basic skills. Otherwise, concrete installation is a complex task that requires expertise for the best results. For this reason, we recommend working closely with a concrete driveway expert to save on costs and get excellent results.
Get Started on Your Driveway Project
We offer competitive pricing for concrete driveway installation. We have the expertise and the tools needed to measure your driveway and make accurate price estimations.
Contact us today for a free quote about your concrete driveway installation. We will be glad to explain your options and help you make an informed decision.