Concrete · Costs
Concrete cost — what to expect and what to skip
What concrete work costs, and which of it you should not be paying for at all. Prices vary by region and by how much access the job needs. Where a job has a genuine do-it-yourself version we say so rather than quoting a number for it.
Two quotes for the same driveway can differ a lot, and usually it’s because one includes base work, reinforcement and a curing plan and the other leaves them out. Compare line by line, not just the total.
1What concrete work involves
- AssessmentWorking out whether the slab is sound and needs lifting, or is broken and needs replacing, and why it moved in the first place.
- Removal and baseBreaking out old concrete, hauling it away, and compacting a proper base. This is where shortcuts cause most later settling.
- Forms and reinforcementSetting forms, joints and the rebar or mesh. Once poured, none of this can be checked.
- Pour, finish and curePlacing and finishing the concrete, then keeping it moist or using a curing compound so it gains strength without cracking.
The jobs on this site that usually need paid work:
2What drives the price
| Cost driver | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Area and thickness | More concrete, more labor. Driveways carrying vehicles need more than a walk. | What thickness is being poured, and why |
| Tear-out and haul-away | Breaking out and disposing of old concrete is heavy, slow work. | Is removal and disposal included |
| Base preparation | A poorly compacted base is the usual cause of later settling. | What base material, how deep, how compacted |
| Reinforcement | Rebar or mesh holds cracked concrete together. It’s where cheap quotes get cheap. | What is going in and at what spacing, in writing |
| Access | If the truck can’t reach the forms, the concrete has to be pumped or wheeled. | Does the price assume a pump |
| Finish and season | Decorative finishes add labor. Hot or cold weather adds curing work. | What is the curing plan on pour day |
| Lift versus replace | Lifting a sound slab is usually cheaper than replacing it. | Is the slab sound enough to lift |
3Things you should not pay for
These are either do-it-yourself jobs or questions to settle before you sign. None of them should turn into a big invoice on their own.
4Do it yourself or hire a pro
Do it yourself
- Cleaning out and resealing joints
- Redirecting downspouts and regrading soil at the slab edges
- Marking and watching hairline cracks
- Checking a quote for reinforcement, base and curing details
Hire a pro
- Lifting a sunken slab by mudjacking or foam
- Removing and replacing broken or delaminating sections
- Any new pour of a driveway or large slab
- Work near tree roots, after the tree has been assessed
Talk to a local concrete contractor and ask for the base, reinforcement and curing plan in writing.
877-360-46575Questions
Why are concrete quotes so different?
Usually because they include different things. One may include tear-out, a compacted base, reinforcement and curing; another may leave them out. Ask each contractor to list them.
Is lifting a slab worth it?
If the slab is in one sound piece, lifting by mudjacking or foam is usually cheaper than replacement. Fix the drainage that caused the settling, or it can happen again.
Should I pay to have hairline cracks repaired?
Not usually. Shrinkage cracks in the first year are normal and largely cosmetic. Pay attention if they widen, offset or open with the seasons.
Back to Concrete.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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