Few improvements enhance a lovely home as much as the installation of a new concrete driveway. Property owners frequently request this improvement. This brief article discusses some important cost considerations involved in planning this type of project.
Driveways And Pricing
Sometimes customers wonder why custom concrete home driveways construction costs vary from one project to another? Many considerations impact pricing. Just consider a few important factors which sometimes enter into a contractor’s expenses:
- Has the customer requested a completely new driveway (or a resurfacing project)?
- Will the drive utilize simple concrete or time-consuming decorative elements?
- How many square feet will the project encompass?
- Is the land fairly level (or will driveways require extensive grading)?
Building some driveways requires contractors to use heavy land moving equipment to perform excavations and leveling operations. Installation may occur over several days. Yet in other cases, a simple project proceeds quickly. The complexity of every project typically affects the overall costs.
Concrete Offers Solid Value
Today, homeowners enjoy a number of options for driveway construction. Every building material offers advantages and disadvantages, of course. Yet in the opinion of many people, a concrete driveway offers the best return on investment. Simple concrete driveways average between $3 and $10 per square foot to install in most places. These structures promise literally years of carefree enjoyment.
Concrete surfaces furnish excellent support. They withstand heavy use well. They need minimal maintenance. Concrete endures a variety of harsh weather conditions. Plus, a correctly installed concrete driveway looks beautiful! Skilled concrete driveway installers even create custom surfaces designed to mimic other, more expensive, materials. With proper care, a concrete driveway should last at least three decades.
Comparing Alternatives
To really appreciate the excellent value offered by concrete, consider two common cheap alternatives. Both gravel and asphalt driveways sometimes cost a bit less to install than concrete. Yet over the course of time, these materials can’t match concrete’s cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of maintenance:
Gravel Versus Concrete
The simplest type of driveway involves the construction of dirt or gravel-strewn track. In North Carolina, these surfaces often create maintenance headaches for homeowners. Puddles easily form in the bare ground during certain seasons of the year. Gravel quickly wears away. This surface requires replacement to maintain. Gravel drives need ongoing annual upkeep to remain in an attractive condition, in fact. Unless a homeowner provides DIY resurfacing, these driveway expenses add up quickly.
Asphalt Versus Concrete
Like concrete, asphalt as a driveway construction material offers low installation costs. Angie’s list website reports contractors to charge on average between $2 to $5 per square foot for asphalt drives. Asphalt also sustains heavy use fairly well. However, property owners need to supply frequent maintenance (or else asphalt surfaces deteriorate rapidly). A well-maintained asphalt driveway should last for up to 20 years. Ultimately, despite its slightly higher initial cost, concrete usually offers a better investment.
The Versatility of Concrete
One reason for the popularity of concrete as a driveway material relates to its versatility. Using concrete, a contractor creates a variety of unique driveway styles and colors. Do customers prefer drives in shades of white, gray, red, or black? We Do Concrete Cheap often helps homeowners match the appearance of household trim features. Other decorative elements include distinctive borders and surface textures.
Today, concrete installers also have the ability to make concrete resemble other stone or brick surfaces. For example, we sometimes use stamping to modify the texture of the concrete in interesting ways. Instead of installing an expensive brick driveways, customers may choose stamped concrete. Concrete drives typically last much longer than brick ones. They also don’t need frequent masonry repairs.
Decorative Concrete Driveway Costs Nationwide
While decorative concrete drives do cost more than plain ones, expenses vary widely based upon the project. Some lovely one-of-a-kind custom concrete drives prove surprisingly affordable. These structures contribute to the long term value of the real estate.
The CostHelper service reports nationwide, installing a plain concrete driveway average from $3 to $10 (or more), per square foot. Adding a single decorative element raises the cost to around $6 to $12 per square foot. Employing multiple decorative elements averages $12 to $18 per square foot, depending on the region.
Further Information
Would you like to receive additional information about custom concrete residential driveways? Simply contact We Do Concrete Cheap! We serve customers throughout the Greater Raleigh Area and outlying communities. Our firm offers a full spectrum of attractive concrete landscaping improvements. We install both basic and decorative residential drives for homeowners. Customers appreciate our affordable pricing. Lastly, call us now at 919-454-3927 to discuss your project.
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