A concrete driveway is one of the largest poured concrete projects homeowners face. At $6-$20 per square foot for 400-600 square feet, even a small price difference per sqft adds up to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Spring is the busiest season for concrete work, so quotes tend to be highest March through June.
New Concrete Driveway Costs
| Finish Type | Cost/sqft | 400 sqft Driveway | 600 sqft Driveway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic gray (broom finish) | $6–$10 | $2,400–$4,000 | $3,600–$6,000 |
| Colored concrete | $8–$14 | $3,200–$5,600 | $4,800–$8,400 |
| Stamped concrete | $12–$20 | $4,800–$8,000 | $7,200–$12,000 |
| Exposed aggregate | $10–$18 | $4,000–$7,200 | $6,000–$10,800 |
Repair & Resurface Costs
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Crack filling (per linear ft) | $1–$3 |
| Patching/leveling | $500–$2,000 |
| Resurfacing overlay (per sqft) | $3–$8 |
| Tear out + repour (per sqft) | $6–$20 |
| Sealing (per sqft) | $0.50–$2.00 |
What Drives the Price?
Thickness: Standard residential is 4 inches. Heavy vehicles or poor soil may require 5-6 inches, adding 15-30% to material cost. Never accept less than 4 inches.
Base preparation: Proper drainage and a compacted gravel base (4-6 inches) is critical. Skipping base work saves the contractor money now but causes cracking and settling within a few years.
Rebar vs. fiber mesh: Rebar reinforcement ($0.50-$1.50/sqft) prevents major cracks far better than fiber mesh ($0.10-$0.30/sqft). For driveways, rebar is the better investment.
Demolition: Removing an existing concrete driveway adds $2-$6/sqft for breaking, hauling, and disposal.
Red Flags
3-inch pour: If the contractor quotes less than 4 inches of concrete, the driveway will crack under vehicle weight. This is the most common corner-cutting technique.
No control joints: Control joints (the grooves cut into the concrete) control where inevitable cracks occur. Without them, cracks will be random and unsightly.
No base prep in the quote: Pouring concrete directly on soil (without a gravel base) leads to settling and cracking. If the quote does not mention base or subgrade work, ask about it.
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