New Construction = Driveway Question

[tw69]

We will be building a new home this summer. Live in Houston TX area). My question is approximately how much per sq ft and the main question is if we wanted a pattern placed in it and clored, say to look like slate, is it better/less expensive to do it at the pour or wait until it cures.

Thanks all, Tim in Houston

[bkrahmer]

Around here, (northern ID), last summer, concrete was about $85 a yard including delivery and tax. One yard is 27 ft3. If you go 4" thick, you'll get 81 ft2 of coverage per yard. So, your materials will roughly be $1 per ft2. You'd also have to figure preparation for the slab, which is unknown based on the condition of the lot and the soil type. I got a crew of two guys to finish the slab on my basement for $1 per ft2, but I already had the rebar set, didn't have to worry about forms since I already had walls in place. You're probably going to be the ballpark of $4 per ft2. I would stain it afterwords. That runs about $.50 per ft2 if you use a product like this one: http://www.concrete-stains.com/ If by pattern, you mean stamping, that will be another additional charge, which you would do before it cures, of course. If you mean pattern by staining, you could do that as well with the stain.

[Zatol]

In my area, NC, the typical turn-key cost of the driveway is approximately $2.00/sf. That is with concrete at $76.00/yd.

Bear in mind that I am a builder and may be able to get slightly better pricing as a result.

[plunkinberry]

I would add the stain before the concrete cures. If you go with an after the fact stain, you'll need to reapply every year or two.

As for the stamping, add a minor markup for the placement and finishing, but I wouldn't add too much.

How long is your driveway going to be? Depending on the lenght and the number of guys I'd need, I'd probably do it for around $2 to $2.50/sf depending on the amount of work you want done. That doesn't include site prep.

[bkrahmer]

I would add the stain before the concrete cures. If you go with an after the fact stain, you'll need to reapply every year or two.

I believe you are incorrect on that. The acid-based stains I referenced stain the concrete by chemical reaction, and penetrade into the concrete. Unless you actually scrub 1/8-1/4" off of the concrete, the stain should be permanent. Can you give any references to back up your claim? Thanks.

[Allan]

Tim:

I'm in Houston, I pay about $3.00 sq ft. I'm surprised with the $2/ft quote from Zatol, the concrete alone is $1.00/ft. Add labor for forming/reinforcement/placing concrete, finishing, stripping forms, add for dirt work/grading, and of course reinforcement and forms, saw cutting for street tie-ins, you are at least $3/ft.

[plunkinberry]

I believe you are incorrect on that. The acid-based stains I referenced stain the concrete by chemical reaction, and penetrade into the concrete. Unless you actually scrub 1/8-1/4" off of the concrete, the stain should be permanent. Can you give any references to back up your claim? Thanks.

Nope. Haven't used it myself. Was just talking with a co-worker the other day about my dyed concrete and he mentioned that he wished he did that 'cause he has to reapply his each year. He must have a paint-like material... Honestly, I don't know.

The chemically reacting stuff would obviously be much more permanent.

[bkrahmer]

I haven't used the acid-based stains myself either, but it seemed from everything that I've read that they would last practically forever. Who knows...

[Rich]

Here's a decent explanation of what "acid" based stains are - http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/acid_etch_staining/how_stains_work.htm

[Zatol]

Allan.. We do not use any reinforcement in our residential pours nor do we do any saw cutting. To date, we have had no problems. The soils here compact very well and have hardly any movement. We don't even put steel in the footings.

Also, in our area there has been an explosion of latino workers and latino companies which helps keep our costs down some.

I just got a quote for a 3600sf slab reinforced with a fiber mix. Complete turn-key price of 2.50sf.

When we discuss pricing on these sites, location has a lot to do with it.

Example.. Here in NC I can get framing at 3.00ft... In Atlanta, my brother-in-law gets it at 2.50ft... He also gets a higher price for the house there..