How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost
When it comes to the durability, longevity, and affordability of making a driveway, concrete would be one of the best materials to use. As a basic reference, concrete is a mixture of sand, crushed rocks, cement, and water. It is usually used to construct driveways in places where warm climate abounds since asphalt does not work effectively in high temperatures. Furthermore, a concrete driveway within the premises of your home is ideal as it helps in the stability and security of your car while moving towards the door of the garage.
Without a doubt, having a concrete driveway is definitely a great idea. However, you need to make sure that you have set a substantial amount to complete such project. As a matter of fact, the cost of concrete driveway is higher than an asphalt pavement primarily because it can last up to 40 years if properly maintained.
Average Prices for a Concrete Driveway Installation
Apparently, the concrete driveway prices depend on several factors, including the surface area or the size of the driveway, the quantity and number of materials, labor rates, finish grade, your location, preparation, and other needs. For instance, the cost for a 12’x25’ concrete driveway may range from $900 to $7,500, depending on what type of pavement you wish to have.
*Plain Concrete. With a surface area of 12’x25’, the cost of concrete driveway is around $900 to $3,000 with a price of $3 to $10 for every square foot. If the pavement is doubled or has an area of 24’x40’, then the cost can range from $2,880 to $9,600, depending on the following factors:
– the condition of the soil
– there is a need for the removal of an existing driveway
– the drainage requirements
– the depth of a compact gravel base
– there are curves or slopes
– the choice of including other features such as a retaining or a turn-around wall
*Single Decorative Element. This type of a concrete driveway may either have a basic border, a pigmented color, or a textured finish. For a 12’x25’ pavement, the concrete driveway prices can run from $6 to $12 per square foot or a total of $1,800 to $3,600. If wish to have an area of 24’x40’, then the cost goes up from $5,760 to $11,520.
*Several Decorative Elements. If you want to include more than one decorative element, then the cost of a 12’x25’ concrete driveway is within $12 to $18 for each square foot, ranging from $3,600 to $5,400. Meanwhile, the cost of the concrete driveway with a surface area of 24’x40’ is around $11,500 to $17,280.
*Customized Driveway. This has the highest concrete driveway prices since it comes with multiple manually applied decorative elements such as complex stenciling, hand-applied chemical accents, as well as, multiple colors and patterns. It can cost between $15 and $25 or higher for every square foot, reaching a cost of $4,500 to $7,500 for a 12’x25’ concrete pavement. A 24’x40’ driveway, on the other hand, is around $14,400 to $24,000.
*Concrete Driveway Removal and Replacement. If you wish to completely remove and change your existing driveway, then you would spend from $4.32 to $4.40 for every square foot.
*Resurfacing a Concrete Driveway. In cases when you want to resurface, refinish, or repair your driveway, then it would typically cost you $2 to $8 per square foot, which may depend on certain factors like the current condition of the pavement, the thickness of the layer being resurface, and whether the resurfaced area has colors or patterns. You also have the option to do the resurfacing by yourself, having a cost of concrete driveway around $50 to $75 for every 100 square feet.
Additional Costs for a Concrete Driveway Construction
Aside from covering the actual concrete driveway prices, you should also consider the labor costs. Before hiring people to do the job, always know whether the labor fees have already been included in the total costs of the project or not. There are some instances when the labor services are paid separately, so it is much better to ask the contractors how much the charge to complete the driveway installation.
In addition to the labor costs, you may be required to secure a permit, in which fees vary according to your location. Such document is needed because a driveway is basically connected to a public road or street, which is under the regulations of the local government. You have to let the authorities know what pavement’s width is and the material used in constructing it.
Moreover, there is a need to seal the concrete driveway for 20 to 30 days after its construction. And then, it should be sealed again every after two years. If you a professional to do the concrete sealing, then you will be spending around $150 to $550 or higher. But in situations when you are on a very tight budget, you can do the sealing yourself by purchasing DIY materials that run from $50 to $200 or more.
