Concrete Driveway Cost

[JimWalch]

Do you want to trade driveways? Yours looks very good. Mine had a large tree next to it and heaved it with some 1 1/2" wide cracks down the center like yours.

 

[Western]

Eddie brings up a good point, the demo work. They probably will use a "hammer" mounted on a skid steer, or back hoe, but either way it will add to the cost.

Bird, I'm with the guy's that say "seal" the cracks. Having them seal it if you don't want to, probably will still be cheaper than just the demo alone.

 

[JB4310]

I heard on the radio,yesterday,that due to the drought,foundation repair calls are stacked up for months. Especially anywhere near the black clay soil that runs from Greenville to Dallas,then south along I35 corridor.

What is happening with the dry clay that's causing foundation problems? is it shrinking and causing foundations to settle and crack.

I do basement drainage systems and wish my calls were stacking up, we've got a drought but more in the wallets than the wells

Around here if we have a prolonged dry spell the clay soil will shrink and leave gaps close to a foundation, then when it first rains again water will find an easy path around the foundation and sometimes cause leaks, but never seen any damage to foundation.

JB

 

[300UGUY]

Did that include a tamped sand base or wire mesh reinforcement, and what was the thickness of the slab?

If it was 6 inches thick, that would be close to 45 yards and locally here, a yard delivered runs $90-100. Even if it was only 4 inches thick, you got a really good price if they included a base and mesh.

It's just a standard 4 in slab. I wanted a vapor barrier and the fiberglass mesh. I am really happy, no cracks, it is fine for pickups, cars, my small tractors. If I had a semi or a dump truck, yeah, I'd need more. One thing on cost is that cement contractor buys a lot of crete. He will get a much better price. Probably 20% or more. I know I can get a contractor to repair and fill in my driveway for about what the matierals cost me. A gravel driveway that is!!

Another thing is the vapor barrier - it adds little to the cost, but really is nice. They put that down before they tamp the sand down. It keeps the floor bone dry. Things don't rust up like they used to.

 

[milkman636]

I recently had a 2 qoutes to replace the north side of my circle drive. The concrete is much worse than your pictures. The section is roughly 1850 square feet, 4" thickness except the last 12' at the road has to be 6" thick.

The quotes came back at $8500 and $8800. The low guy said I could save $1 per sq.ft. by tearing it out myself. I don't think I'll be taking him up on that offer though.

 

[JDgreen227]

I recently had a 2 qoutes to replace the north side of my circle drive. The concrete is much worse than your pictures. The section is roughly 1850 square feet, 4" thickness except the last 12' at the road has to be 6" thick.

The quotes came back at $8500 and $8800. The low guy said I could save $1 per sq.ft. by tearing it out myself. I don't think I'll be taking him up on that offer though.

I am retired, have plenty of time but not much money, and with my tractor plus a place to dispose of the old concrete I would be happy to save $1850 by tearing the old drive out myself. My favorite method of getting rid of concrete slabs is to jack one end up, then bust it apart with a hammer. But if it is reinforced....forget that.

Back in 1992 I poured a large concrete patio on the back of our house, it was for a large hot tub, made it extra thick and used old chain link fence for reinforcement. Never expected to have to remove it, but ten years later we built an addition, and the slab had to be taken out. The mesh made that a HUGE, HUGE headache.

 

[Bird]

I am retired, have plenty of time but not much money

Hey, you just described me.:laughing: Of course I'm also a little short on strength and stamina, too.

 

[Egon]

Bird, your concrete does not have that decrepit look. Think a lot about sealing some of the cracks.

 

[EddieWalker]

After seeing the picture, add me to the list of those who feel that it's a good looking driveway that just needs to have the cracks sealed. Wait for a cool day and get something soft to kneel on, and take your time with a caulking gun.

Eddie

 

[JDgreen227]

Hey, you just described me.:laughing: Of course I'm also a little short on strength and stamina, too.

I hit the big "SIX-OH" on Monday. Some days I feel 40 again, some days I feel 80. Wish it would be more consistent !