How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?

One of the first things a visitor will see is your driveway. If you want to install a new one or replace your driveway, concrete is a good option. Traditional concrete driveways are popular for a reason. They are versatile, long-lasting, and inexpensive to install. A properly installed driveway can enhance your home’s curb appeal. It’s a worthy investment that you might want to consider. 

However, you might be wondering how much it costs to do so. Many factors affect the price to install a concrete driveway. The best way to find out is to get quotes from concrete contractors. To make things easier, here’s our brief guide on what you’ll pay for your concrete driveway project:

Average Cost of Concrete Driveway Installation

The national average of a concrete driveway installation is around $3,000 or $6 per square foot. Installation costs range from $1,800 to $6,000 depending on several factors. Following is a quick rundown of installation costs according to quality:

  • Basic: $8 to $12 per square foot
  • Mid-Range: $12 to $18 per square foot
  • High-End: $18 and up per square foot

Stained Concrete Driveway Cost

Adding colors and decorative stains to your concrete driveway will lead to a cost increase. A decorative concrete contractor might charge you between $2 and $4 per square foot. This will change depending on the tint needed and the complexity of the job. The size of your driveway is a factor too. The larger the square footage, the higher the price will go.

For staining an existing driveway, you will have to spend $2 to $4 per square foot. Find a concrete contractor to get a more accurate quote or estimate.

Stamped Concrete Driveway Cost

Installing stamped concrete costs between $8 and $12 per square foot. But your contractor might charge more depending on the materials and design. The more expensive stamped concrete driveways involve stain accents, multiple patterns, and textures.

Concrete Driveway Cost Factors

Prep Work

A concrete driveway installation takes planning and preparation. The prep work is as important as the masonry work. During the project, your contractor must prepare the sire before they pour concrete. All debris and rocks must be removed to avoid uneven ground. 

If your property is sloped, grading the driveway might be necessary. Complex prep work will influence the cost of your project.

Labor

Almost half of the concrete driveway costs are due to labor. If you pay $12 per square foot for your concrete driveway, the labor makes up about $6 per square foot. Concrete driveway installation is not easy, which is why labor makes up a significant portion of the costs.

Driveway Size

The total expenses depend on how big your driveway is. A single-car concrete driveway is around $800 to $1,600. On the other hand, larger driveways cost from $2,300 to $4,600. You may reach out to your local concrete company for more details about your project.

Thickness

Most concrete driveways should be at least 4-inches thick. If your driveway needs to support heavy-duty vehicles, you might choose a thicker slab. But a thicker concrete slab will contribute to higher project expenses.

Design

Concrete is extremely versatile. It offers many design options other than the usual rectangle or square. You can even choose a curved or L-shaped design for your driveway.

Any complex design will require extra time and labor. This is why the cost increases as design becomes more complex. Professional contractors can assess your project expenses depending on your preferred design.

Stamping and Coloring

Stamped concrete features different colors and patterns. Adding decorative touch can affect the price of your project. In fact, it can even double the cost of your concrete driveway installation. Stamping and coloring are more complicated than concrete pouring. It takes quite a bit of time, which means additional cost.

Demolition of Existing Driveway

Do you have an existing driveway that needs to be replaced? Removing an old driveway is part of the site preparation. Your concrete contractor might charge you an extra $1 to $4 per square foot. Moreover, there might be additional expenses for debris haul-away.

Final Thoughts

Midstate Concrete is a top-rated local concrete driveway company in Harrisburg, PA. Feel free to contact us for your driveway paving and concrete leveling needs. Our concrete experts look forward to working with you!