A new concrete driveway is a big job. The slab is heavy, the tools are powerful, and wet concrete sets on a clock. This page walks first-time homeowners through the decision in plain steps, so you know what to expect before anyone arrives.
Scotthillpizaaburnaby Concrete is a referral service. We do not pour or remove concrete. We connect homeowners in the Fairfax area with independent local providers in our network. The provider handles the work, the pricing and the written quote. You decide whether to hire. Read on to see how to prepare your site safely and which questions to ask.
Repair or replace? Start here
Most first-timers ask this before anything else. Small surface flaws can often be patched. Deep, wide or shifting damage usually means a new slab. Concrete driveway repair has limits, and a provider can show you where they are on your own drive.
Signs a driveway needs replacing
Walk the slab slowly in daylight. Note what you see.
- Cracks wider than a pencil, or cracks where one side sits higher than the other
- Flaking, crumbling or pitted surface over large areas
- Slabs that have sunk, tilted or rock underfoot
- Puddles that sit for days instead of draining
- Old patches with new cracks beside them
Freeze-thaw winters make this worse. Water seeps into small cracks, freezes and pushes the slab apart. Humid summers and nor'easter rain keep the ground soggy, which softens the base under the concrete.
Trip hazards come first
A raised edge is a fall risk. Mark it with bright tape and keep children and visitors clear. Do not grind or cut concrete yourself. The dust is harmful to breathe, and the tools are hard to control.
When repair may be enough
Hairline cracks and light wear may only need sealing or patching. A provider can look and tell you plainly. If water pools near the house wall, mention it. Foundation repair experts handle settling at the house itself, so also report any basement dampness or wall cracks you have seen.
What a new driveway project includes
This is concrete flatwork, and each step depends on the one before it.
- Breaking out and hauling away the old slab
- Grading the ground and building a compacted base
- Setting forms, plus steel or wire reinforcement
- Placing, leveling and finishing the concrete
- Cutting joints so cracks form where planned
- Curing and sealing
Prep before pour: where you can help
Good prep prevents most mistakes. Here is where a careful homeowner can safely lend a hand.
Do
- Move cars, bins, planters and toys well away from the work area
- Take photos of the current drive, the street edge and nearby lawn
- Note where gutters and downspouts drain
- Tell the provider about sprinklers, lights or buried lines
- Ask neighbors to keep pets and kids clear on pour day
Do not
- Do not pry up or break old slabs by hand or with rented tools
- Do not dig before utility lines have been marked
- Do not ask anyone to add water to a delivered mix
- Do not step or drive on fresh concrete
Know your limits
Heavy equipment is the dividing line. Breaking out slabs, running compactors, guiding a concrete truck and finishing a large pour are jobs for trained providers. Wet concrete is heavy and can burn skin. A weak base or a rushed pour is costly to undo.
Choosing size, thickness and finish
Width and length
Measure for your vehicles and for people walking beside them. Many single drives run about 10 to 12 feet wide, and double drives about 18 to 24 feet.
Thickness and strength
Home driveways are commonly about 4 inches thick. Heavier trucks may call for more. Ask what thickness, mix strength and reinforcement the provider plans.
Finish and grip
A broom finish gives better grip when wet or icy. Very smooth finishes can be slick. Colored or stamped looks exist, but keep the first decision about safety and drainage.
Permits and the street apron
The apron is the section where your driveway meets the street. It often sits in public right of way, and many towns set rules for its width, slope and thickness. Some also require a permit for the whole drive. Ask the provider who applies and who handles fees. Check any homeowner association rules too. Do not start work until you know.
Choosing a concrete provider
Providers in our network are independent businesses. Ask any provider you meet:
- Can you show proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation?
- Who will be on site on pour day?
- How will you handle drainage and joints?
- Can I see similar finished work?
Get the quote in writing
Quote in writing, every time. It should list size, thickness, base depth, reinforcement, finish, removal, permits, timeline and payment terms. Compare the scope, not only the price. Be careful with anyone who asks for full payment up front.
Timing and weather
Concrete cures well in mild, dry weather. A hard freeze can ruin a pour, and a hot, windy day can dry the surface too fast. Providers can adjust the schedule, so ask what they do when the forecast changes.
After the pour
- Keep people and pets off until the provider says it is safe
- Keep cars off for as long as the provider advises
- Seal the surface if the provider recommends it
- Skip de-icing salts the first winter and use sand for traction
- Tell the provider if you see early cracks beyond the planned joints
Your next step
Prep before pour, and know your limits. Request a callback to check provider availability in your area, or send the request form with your photos and measurements. There is no obligation to hire.
What's Included
Old slab removal
Providers break out and haul away the cracked or sunken concrete using the right heavy equipment.
Base and grading
The ground is leveled and compacted so water drains away and the slab sits firm.
Forms and reinforcement
Forms shape the edges, and steel or wire helps hold the slab together.
Pour, finish and cure
Concrete is placed, smoothed, jointed and left to cure before use.
Typical U.S. driveway cost ranges
Prices vary with size, soil, access, local rules and finish. These are general U.S. ranges only, so always get a written quote before you agree to anything.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old slab removal and haul-away | $1 – $3 per sq ft | Depends on thickness and disposal rules |
| Base prep and grading | $1 – $3 per sq ft | Poor soil or slopes can raise the price |
| Plain broom-finish concrete | $6 – $12 per sq ft | Thicker slabs and reinforcement cost more |
| Typical two-car driveway total | $4,000 – $9,000 | Varies widely by size and site |
| Color or decorative finish | $2 – $8 per sq ft | Added on top of the base price |
| Permit and street apron work | $100 – $1,500 | Rules and fees differ by town |
How It Works
Share your plans
Request a callback or send the form with your address, rough size and photos.
Get matched with a provider
We refer you to an independent local provider who may reach out to you.
Review the written quote
The provider assesses the site and sends scope, price and timeline in writing.
Choose and schedule
You decide whether to hire, then agree on dates and prep with the provider.
Why Call Scotthillpizaaburnaby Concrete
Safety-first planning
You learn which steps are risky before any tools or trucks show up at your home.
Clear roles
You see where you can help, and where trained providers must take over the job.
Independent providers
Providers in our network run their own businesses and set their own prices and schedules.
No obligation
Ask questions, compare written quotes and decide in your own time.
Other Services
Need concrete driveways in Fairfax?
- Clear do and do not guidance for beginners
- Independent providers near Fairfax
- Written quotes before any work starts
- No obligation to ask
Concrete Driveways FAQ
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A well-built concrete driveway often lasts several decades, but climate, base quality, drainage and de-icing salts all matter. Freeze-thaw winters shorten the life of poorly prepared slabs. Ask a provider what to expect for your site.
Can I pour a concrete driveway myself?
A small walkway is one thing, but a driveway is another. It needs a compacted base, correct slope, fast finishing and heavy delivery. Mistakes are costly to remove. Most homeowners help with prep and leave the pour to providers.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
It varies with mix, weather and thickness. Foot traffic often comes first, and vehicles wait longer, commonly about a week. Follow your provider's written instructions, since driving on it too early can crack or mark the surface.
Reach a local provider
Planning a new driveway or patio? Request a callback to ask about provider availability, or send an estimate request and describe your project.
No obligation