A new concrete driveway is a big, visible job, and it is easy to feel unsure where to begin. Legrobert Concrete keeps the first steps short. You describe the project, and the request goes to an independent local provider in our network. That provider handles the measuring, removal, base work and the pour.
This page explains what to look for, what the work includes, typical costs and how to compare written quotes. Older houses get extra attention, because aging slabs, past repairs and buried lines can change the plan. You are never obligated to hire anyone, and nobody pushes you to decide quickly. Take the information, ask questions and move at your own pace.
First, breathe: this is a planned job
First, breathe. A worn driveway is a decision, not a disaster. A few problems do deserve attention soon, though. A slab that tilts toward the garage, a crack that steers water at the foundation, or a heaved panel that trips people all come first. Sort those out, then plan the rest calmly.
Legrobert Concrete is a referral service. It does not pour concrete. It connects you with an independent local provider in our network, and that provider does the work.
Signs you need a new driveway
Look at the whole surface, not one spot. Three patterns tell you the most.
Cracks that keep moving
Hairline cracks are common and mostly cosmetic. Wide cracks are different. So are cracks where one side sits higher than the other. They usually mean the base underneath has shifted. Deep frost in cold winters makes this worse every year.
Sunken or tilted slabs
A sinking panel points to washed-out soil or a thin base. Spring flooding and heavy storms can carry soil out from under a slab. Water that runs toward the house is the urgent version of this problem. Check it first.
Flaking and crumbling surface
Scaling, pitting and exposed stones often come from repeated frost and thaw cycles plus road salt. A few spots can be patched. A surface that flakes across the whole drive usually cannot.
Repair or replace?
Concrete driveway repair makes sense when damage is local. Think of a few cracks, one low panel or a chipped edge. Ask the provider to price both options side by side. If patching would cover roughly a third of the surface, or the base has failed, replacement often costs less over time. Ask for it written.
Older homes hide surprises
Frame houses and bungalows from many decades ago often have drives laid over thin gravel, clay or an earlier slab. Removal can uncover old utility trenches, buried drain lines or a crumbling garage threshold. None of this is unusual. It just needs to be priced before the work starts.
Ask the provider how hidden problems are handled and how changes get approved in writing. If your basement has a sump pump or damp walls, mention it. Foundation repair experts may need to look at the wall before new concrete goes in beside it.
What a new driveway project includes
The order matters. A typical job runs like this:
- Measure and mark the area, and locate buried lines.
- Remove the old slab and haul it away.
- Grade the soil and compact a gravel base.
- Set forms and add steel reinforcement when specified.
- Pour, level and finish the concrete.
- Cut control joints, which are planned lines that guide where cracks form.
- Cure the slab, then seal it if the provider recommends it.
This is concrete flatwork: poured surfaces that sit flat at ground level. The base and drainage decide how long it lasts, more than the concrete does.
Choosing size, thickness and finish
A one-car drive is usually 10 to 12 feet wide. A two-car drive runs 18 to 24 feet. Most residential drives are 4 inches thick. Heavier vehicles, such as trucks or an RV, may call for 5 to 6 inches.
For finish, a broom finish adds grip in rain and ice. A smooth trowel finish looks clean but gets slick. In cold regions, ask for air-entrained concrete. That mix holds tiny air bubbles that help the slab handle frost.
Permits and the street apron
The apron is the sloped section where your driveway meets the street. Many towns own it, set its width and slope, and require a permit to change it. Some also require permits for a new or widened drive. Check any neighborhood association rules and your property lines too.
The provider often knows the local process. Confirm who files the paperwork and who pays the fees before work begins.
Choosing a provider
Get at least two written quotes. Compare like with like. A lower number can simply mean a thinner slab or no base work.
Questions worth asking
- Is the quote itemized: removal, base, thickness, finish, sealing?
- What mix and reinforcement will be used?
- Who marks utilities and handles permits?
- How will water drain away from the house?
- What is the payment schedule?
Providers in our network are independent businesses. Verify their license and insurance directly before you sign anything.
Timing around the weather
Concrete cures well in mild temperatures. In cold regions, most driveway work runs from spring through fall. In hot, humid weather, providers often pour early in the day so the surface does not dry too fast. A forecast with hail or a severe thunderstorm can move a pour date. That is normal, not a red flag.
After the pour
The first days set the slab up for decades.
- Keep foot traffic off for a couple of days.
- Keep vehicles off for about a week, or as the provider directs.
- Concrete reaches full strength in roughly 28 days.
- Skip de-icing salts through the first winter.
- Point downspouts and sump discharge away from the slab.
Ready for a plan?
Measure, photo, request. Measure the drive roughly, take a few photos, and send the request. Request a callback to check provider availability, or ask for an estimate and review it at your own pace.
What's Included
Removal and haul-away
The provider breaks out the old slab and removes the debris so the site is clear.
Base and grading
Soil is leveled and gravel is compacted so water drains away from the house.
Forms and reinforcement
Forms set the shape, and steel mesh or rebar adds strength where specified.
Pour, finish and cure
Concrete is placed, finished, jointed and left to cure before any traffic.
Typical new driveway costs in the U.S.
These are general U.S. ranges only. Real prices vary by site, slab size, soil and local rules, so always get a written quote.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New concrete driveway, broom finish | $6 – $12 per sq ft | Varies with thickness, mix and access |
| Old slab removal and hauling | $1 – $3 per sq ft | Higher for thick or reinforced slabs |
| Gravel base and grading | $1 – $3 per sq ft | Poor soil or slopes cost more |
| Steel mesh or rebar | $0.50 – $1.50 per sq ft | Often advised for heavy vehicles |
| Permit and apron work | $100 – $1,500 | Depends on town rules and apron size |
| Sealing after curing | $0.50 – $2 per sq ft | Helps against salt and moisture |
How It Works
Measure and photograph
Note rough length and width, then take photos of cracks, low spots and drainage.
Send your request
Share the details by form or phone, and mention the age of the house.
Review written quotes
A local provider reviews the job and sends an itemized quote for you to compare.
Choose and schedule
Pick a provider, confirm permits and timing, and plan the pour around the weather.
Why Call Legrobert Concrete
Clear first steps
You get a short, simple path from first question to a provider ready to discuss your job.
Local providers
Independent providers in our network know regional frost depths, soils and local permit habits.
Older-home care
Aging materials, past repairs and hidden surprises are raised early, so quotes cover real conditions.
No pressure
Compare written quotes, ask questions and decide on your schedule, with no obligation.
Other Services
Need concrete driveways services in East Bethel?
- Connects you with independent local providers
- Driveways, patios, stamped finishes
- Clear written quotes from providers
- No obligation to hire
Concrete Driveways Services FAQ
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A well-built concrete driveway often lasts 25 to 30 years or more. Base quality, thickness, drainage and winter care make the biggest difference. Climates with deep frost and road salt can shorten that range.
How thick should a new concrete driveway be?
Most residential driveways are about 4 inches thick. If heavy trucks, an RV or frequent deliveries use the drive, providers often suggest 5 to 6 inches plus reinforcement. Ask for the thickness in writing.
Do I need a permit for a new driveway?
Often, yes. Many towns require a permit for a new or widened driveway, and nearly all regulate the street apron. Rules vary by location, so confirm with the local office or ask the provider who files.
Reach a local provider
Ready to start? Request an estimate, or use Request a callback to check provider availability. Tell us about your driveway or patio and a local provider can follow up.
No obligation