Everything you need to know before hiring a concrete contractor.
Properly installed concrete driveways and patios last 25–50 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the mix, proper sub-base preparation, reinforcement, curing time, and ongoing maintenance like sealing every 2–5 years.
Residential driveways typically require 3,000–4,000 PSI concrete. Driveways that will support heavy vehicles or RVs should use 4,000–5,000 PSI. Your contractor should specify the mix design in the contract.
You can typically walk on new concrete after 24–48 hours and drive on it after 7 days. Full curing takes 28 days. Avoid parking heavy vehicles or placing heavy loads on freshly poured concrete during this period.
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Find a ContractorCommon causes include shrinkage during curing, freeze-thaw cycles, tree roots, improper sub-base preparation, excessive load, and missing or improperly placed control joints. Not all cracks are structural — hairline cracks are normal, but wide or growing cracks warrant professional evaluation.
Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, sand, and aggregate (gravel or crushed stone). Concrete contractors use concrete — not pure cement — for all structural and flatwork applications.
Permit requirements vary by municipality. Many jurisdictions require permits for driveways that connect to a public road, retaining walls over a certain height, and any structural concrete work. A reputable contractor will handle permit applications and inspections.
Sealing is highly recommended. A quality sealer applied every 2–5 years protects concrete from moisture infiltration, freeze-thaw damage, oil stains, and UV fading. Decorative concrete should be sealed immediately after installation and regularly maintained.
Stamped concrete is poured concrete that is textured and patterned with stamps to mimic the appearance of brick, stone, tile, or wood. It can also be colored. Stamped concrete costs more than plain concrete but is durable and lower-maintenance than the materials it replicates.
Provide contractors with the dimensions of the area, desired thickness, finish type, and any prep work needed (demo, grading). A detailed written quote should specify square footage, concrete PSI, thickness, reinforcement, sub-base preparation, and finish. Compare at least three quotes.
A thorough contract should specify: project dimensions and scope, concrete mix (PSI, thickness), reinforcement details, sub-base preparation, finish type, payment schedule, project timeline, permit responsibility, and warranty terms.