A driveway is no longer a functional structure; it also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your house, given that you construct it in the right way. Your driveway should be multipurpose, meaning that it should be able to withstand the weight of heavy vehicle traffic and harsh weather conditions, along with enhancing the look of your home. But what is the cost associated with installing a concrete driveway?

Key Factors Affecting Concrete Driveway Costs

Before we move to the actual cost of installing a concrete driveway, let us look at the factors that influence its cost:

Driveway Size

The first factor that influences the cost of constructing a concrete driveway is its size. Logically, a larger drive means more materials, labour, and time, which automatically will be converted into money. So, a large driveway means more associated costs. Additionally, along with the size, the design of the driveway also plays an important role. So, if the driveway has intricate slopes, curves, or any other unique design, the cost of construction may increase.

Types of Concrete

The second factor that determines the price of a driveway is the quality and thickness of the concrete. Using high-quality concrete for construction, along with other reinforcements such as steel mesh or rebar, will definitely cost more. Also, a thicker driveway will require more concrete, which will lead to additional costs. Here are two types of concrete that are popularly used in the construction of concrete driveways:

  • Plain Concrete: Constructing your driveway with plain concrete means that the cost will be lower. However, that doesn’t mean that you compromise on the quality. Plain concrete is highly durable and keeps out moisture, making it perfect for constructing concrete driveways.
  • Exposed Aggregate: Exposed aggregate concrete is a type of decorative concrete with various finishes, including stone, gravel, or shells. Here, the top layer is stripped to reveal the aggregate, which offers friction and is skid-resistant. If you plan on constructing a driveway with exposed aggregate, the cost will definitely be higher compared to plain concrete. However, they offer equal durability and robustness.

Concrete Finishes & Decorative Options

There are different options in terms of finishing and decorating your concrete driveway. Some offer durability, others offer efficient water management, and some are skid-resistant. Additionally, there are some options that offer all the advantages mentioned above. Here are some of the most popular options that are loved by homeowners:

  • Broom finish: Broom finish, or brushed concrete, is a very popular concrete finish for your driveway. Here, a broom is used to create textures on the surface of the driveway that prevent it from becoming slippery by providing appropriate traction.
  • Rock salt finish: A slightly pitted texture is indented on the surface of the driveway to give it a subtle texture. The roughness makes it skid-resistant, ensuring safety during the rainy season.
  • Stamped: Stamped concrete driveways come in numerous options. This finish combines colouring agents to replicate popular materials such as natural slate and brick.
  • Stained: Stained concrete driveways are very economical and versatile. You can choose different stain options, ranging from acid-based stains to water-based stains, to achieve numerous decorative effects.
  • Pervious concrete: It is similar to exposed aggregate but has an added advantage. It allows water to seep through into the underlying soil, offers a rough-textured look, and is great for stormwater management in urban areas.

Site Preparation & Labour Costs

Yes, the concrete decoration and finishing for your driveway are essential factors that determine the cost of construction. However, most often, we forget about the other essential factors that determine the total expenditure: Site preparation and labour cost. Let us tackle both of them one by one in this section of the blog.

Beginning with labour costs, here are the most influential factors:

  • Total number of workers: How many workers do you need to complete the task within the stipulated time? If you want the project to be completed within a short period of time, you will need more workers, which in turn will mean more expense.
  • Hourly rates: The hourly rates of the workers will vary based on the geographic location, the current market condition, and their experience level.
  • Complexity: The more complex the construction project is, the greater the labour expense. Complexity includes the condition of the site and design intricacies.

Now, let us look at the cost of site preparation. The following factors influence this:

  • Excavation: If the site requires intense excavations, including removing big trees, site grading, and ensuring proper drainage, the cost will be higher.
  • Base material: If you are constructing a brand-new driveway, you have to think about preparing the base on top of which the concrete driveway will be placed. You can choose materials such as gravel or crushed stone, both of which require different preparation methods, leading to additional cost.

Concrete Driveway Cost Breakdown per m²

Now, let’s get down to the numbers. Of course, the cost of constructing a concrete driveway will differ depending on various factors, but on average, you can estimate it to be somewhere between $65 and $150 per m² based on the type of finishing, thickness, site preparation, and labour cost.

Let us look at the different types of concrete finishing and their average cost:

  • Plain concrete: A plain concrete driveway will cost roughly between $65 and $85 per m2.
  • Coloured concrete: A coloured concrete driveway will slightly cost more. The estimated cost will be roughly between $75 and $95 per m².
  • Exposed aggregate: A driveway constructed with exposed aggregate concrete costs between $100 and $150 per m².

Remember that these are just rough estimates. The actual price may be lower or higher than what has been mentioned.

Base Costs

Apart from the actual cost of installing the concrete driveway, there is also the additional cost of preparing the base. The secret to a good-looking driveway is a well-prepared base. The first step to preparing the base is excavating the surface. Ideally, the surface should be dug 3 to 5 inches for the concrete, and then you have to smooth out the surface. The next step is compaction to create a sturdy base for the concrete driveway. Now, adding proper drainage is also very essential. This will help ensure that it lasts for a long time.

Additional Costs to Consider

Apart from the basic cost of constructing the concrete driveway, there may be other additional costs. For instance, you may require a construction permit from your local authority to construct a brand-new driveway. Here is a list of the other additional costs:

  • Local permits: There is a high chance that you may require a local permit for a brand-new driveway. Moreover, your local council may have pre-set requirements for the materials that you must use in the construction or specific dimension requirements for the driveway. All these will influence the overall cost of construction.
  • Decorative finishes: If you choose to add decorative finishes to your driveway, like adding a stencil or a stain, the overall cost will quickly increase.
  • Steel mesh: While adding a steel mesh is not a must while constructing your concrete highway, adding it enhances durability and provides reinforcement against the weight of heavy vehicles.

Long-Term Value & Maintenance

Concrete is a material that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and is extremely durable. If you have installed your concrete driveway appropriately, you don’t have to worry about maintaining it year after year. Yes, you may require occasional repair and resurfacing, but the frequency is much less than other materials.

Alternatives to Concrete Driveways & Cost Comparisons

There are numerous alternatives to concrete driveways. Although concrete is the most popular choice due to its durability, other popular choices for driveway construction include:

  • Asphalt driveways: They are cheaper compared to concrete driveways. But the downside is that they require a lot of maintenance and don’t last long.
  • Brick driveways: In this option, bricks are laid so that accumulated water is easily absorbed, preventing mud puddles and giant ruts. Moreover, it is less expensive compared to asphalt and concrete driveways. However, it is not very durable, and you may need to repair it every year.
  • Gravel driveway: Gravel is also cheaper than concrete and asphalt. But the problem is it is not very durable. Loose gravel can migrate away from the driveway with time, causing quick wear and tear. Now, it can be fixed by raking up the loose gravel and reapplying it. But who wants to take so much trouble?

When you are considering a driveway material, always consider its long-term cost. Constructing a driveway is a one-time investment. However, you may have to repair it every few years. But if your driveway can’t last for 5 to 6 years without any maintenance, it is time to reconsider your decision. A cost-effective material is one that may have a higher upfront cost but requires little to no maintenance and has a long lifespan.

Comparison with Other Driveway Materials

Now that you have learned about the different driveway construction materials, let us compare them with concrete driveways and determine which one will be a perfect choice:

Longevity and durability: Nothing can beat concrete driveways when it comes to durability and longevity. Unlike materials such as asphalt and gravel, concrete doesn’t require a lot of maintenance or frequent touch-ups every few years. It is highly robust, which means that it can take the weight of heavy vehicles and even trucks without damaging its structural integrity.

Maintenance: You don’t want to be spending a lot of time on the maintenance of your driveway. To clean your concrete driveway, all you need is water and soap, along with occasional weeding to maintain its pristine look. On the other hand, with other driveway materials, you may have to waste your weekends scrubbing it to ensure it is in its best condition.

Value for money: Although the other alternatives for constructing your driveway cost less, you get true value for money only with concrete. The long-term savings that come with concrete driveways are tremendous. Concrete stands strong against harsh weather conditions, wear, and time, making it a cost-effective choice.

Contact Us Today For A Free Quote

If you are looking for a driveway that offers durability and curb appeal, a concrete driveway is the best choice. At Curaconcrete, we offer you the best concrete driveway solutions. Our team can customise your concrete driveway based on your needs and preferences. Contact our experts today for a free quote.