Concrete driveway installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What concrete driveway installation is

A new concrete driveway is built on a graded, compacted base and reinforced so it can carry cars, trucks and snow removal without sinking or cracking apart. People call for it when an old drive has failed beyond repair, when a gravel or dirt drive needs a permanent surface, or when a new home or addition needs parking.

Signs you need it

  • The existing driveway is cracked into pieces, heaved by roots or sunk in low spots that hold water
  • Gravel keeps washing out or sinking into ruts, and the drive needs a firm surface for daily use
  • A dirt or gravel drive turns to mud in wet weather and blows away in dry weather
  • The current slab slopes toward the garage or house, and the new one has to pitch water away
  • Heavier vehicles such as work trucks, trailers or RVs now use the drive and the old surface cannot hold them
  • Salt and freeze and thaw have scaled the surface, and a repair would not give a lasting result

What the pro does

  • Survey the grade and the drainage path, then excavate to the depth needed for base and slab thickness
  • Place and compact a crushed stone base in layers, then set a subgrade that will not heave or pump under the slab
  • Build forms to the planned width and slope, and place steel reinforcement on chairs at the proper height
  • Place the concrete from the truck or pump, consolidate it, and strike it off with a screed to the form tops
  • Float and finish the surface, then cut control joints at spacing that fits the slab shape before the surface sets
  • Cure the slab under wet cover or a curing compound and strip the forms once the edges are firm

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Drive length, width and thickness, since a vehicle load needs more concrete and reinforcement than a walk
  • How much existing pavement must be removed and hauled, and whether it is plain or reinforced
  • The condition of the subgrade, because soft or organic soil must be dug out and replaced before the base goes in
  • Slope and drainage, including whether the drive needs a catch basin or a drainage line to carry water away
  • Truck access and the distance the mixer or pump must reach from the street
  • The surface finish, such as broom texture for traction or a decorative border added along the edges
  • Whether the drive connects to a garage slab or apron that has to be matched in height and joint layout

What a written quote should spell out

  • Drive dimensions, slab thickness and the concrete mix grade named in the proposal
  • The base depth, the stone used and the compaction method, with who handles the subgrade
  • The reinforcement type, such as rebar on chairs, welded wire mesh or fiber, chosen for the vehicles the drive will carry
  • Control joint layout, edge detail, slope direction and the surface finish
  • Demolition and hauling of the old surface, if included, and where the debris goes
  • Curing method, the date forms come off, and when vehicles can drive on the slab

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How deep is the base, and will you test the subgrade before placing the stone?
  • What slab thickness do you recommend for the vehicles that will use this drive?
  • Which way will the drive slope, and where will the water go when it rains hard?
  • Where will the control joints go, and will they line up with the garage or walkway joints?
  • Will you use rebar or mesh, and what is the reason for your choice?
  • What happens if rain or a hard freeze arrives while the slab is curing?
  • Who removes the old driveway and hauls the debris, and is that part of the quote?

Red flags

  • Pours on top of the old driveway or on loose fill without removing soft material first
  • Says the drive does not need a base because the existing ground looks firm
  • Quotes a thin slab for a drive that will see heavy trucks or trailers
  • Adds water on site to loosen the mix, which lowers the strength of the finished surface
  • Does not address where the water runs off the new slab or how it drains toward the street

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can remove a small old slab and haul it away if they rent the right equipment and can handle the weight of the broken pieces. Hire a pro for grading, base work, forms, reinforcement and the pour, because a driveway that is out of slope or thin in the wrong spot will hold water and fail. Concrete is heavy and alkaline, so wear gloves, eye protection and long sleeves around wet mix.

Licenses and permits

Driveway concrete is commonly done by licensed contractors, and most areas require a permit for a new driveway or one that changes an entrance or a curb cut. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, including any rules about the connection to the street.

Concrete driveway installation questions

How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?

The timing depends on the mix, weather and slab thickness, so ask the crew for the date in writing. Concrete reaches most of its full strength over about four weeks, and heavy vehicles should wait until the slab has cured.

Why did my new driveway develop cracks at the joints?

Control joints are cut so the slab cracks in straight lines where you expect it, instead of in random places. A crack that runs along a joint is usually the joint doing its job, but a crack away from the joints can point to a weak base or poor subgrade.

Do I need a permit to replace my driveway?

Many areas require a permit for a new driveway or any change at the street, and some do not for a same-footprint replacement. Check with your local building department, and ask the contractor who will file the permit before work starts.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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