The worst part of starting any new project is learning, usually much too late, what you could have done differently to make the process easier on yourself. Installing, extending, and replacing concrete – such as driveways, patios, slabs, etc – is no exception.

At Virtue Concrete SC, we believe that people matter and deserve a positive concrete experience. In our opinion, that experience starts with setting expectations and preparing properly. So, if we may, we’d like to help you understand and prepare for a few things that, otherwise, might come as a surprise when starting a new concrete construction project!

1 – Budget and Timeline

First and foremost – concrete isn’t cheap. Full-service concrete contractors that offer a turn-key concrete construction experience (from demolition to concrete finishing) typically have starting prices, or minimum project prices, somewhere around $3,000 – $4,000 or higher.

Standard residential concrete projects, which typically take two days (1 day prep + 1 day pour) to complete, can cost anywhere from the minimum price to over $25,000, but will normally fall somewhere between $6,500 – $8,500 (as of January 2024).

IMPORTANT: Concrete material costs have been trending upward significantly over the past two years, along with other building materials, and are not projected to decline. These cost increases are passed down the supply chain, and will directly impact the cost of residential and commercial concrete construction prices.

The actual cost of your concrete driveway, slab, or other structure – as well as the timeline to complete it – will vary and depends on several factors including, but not limited to:

• The Concrete Contractor

  • Two rules-of-thumb with any product/service:

    • You get what you pay for.
    • You Can Only Pick Two: Fast, Cheap, or High Quality. 

  • Contractors that make investments toward communication & customer service (such as automations, documentation, warranties, invoicing systems, payment methods and options, preparation, communication, and more!) may charge slightly more to offer customers additional benefits.

• Structural Needs and Specifications

  • Specialized Materials and/or Equipment for demolition, hauling, grading, concrete reinforcement, concrete psi, etc.

• Design Choices

  • Size, Shape, Thickness, and Landscape
  • Increte Concrete Color Additives or “Integral Concrete Colors”
  • Release Colors (Provide Visual Dimension or a “two-toned” affect)
  • Concrete Stains
  • Concrete Stamps, and Stamp Skins
  • Complex or Custom Concrete Forming
  • Textured Finishes (i.e. exposed aggregate finish, salt finish, stenciled finish, etc.)
  • Polished Concrete Finish
  • Trowel Concrete Finish
  • Concrete Overlay (such as epoxy)
  • Cosmetic Concrete Cuts
  • Additional Skill, Time, and Man-power

• Concrete Supply & Demand

  • Seasonal Factors

    • Preventative and Protective Materials for Inclement
      Weather
    • Concrete Additives to Slow Setting Times

  • Cost Fluctuation for Materials such as…

    • Concrete Ingredients
    • Subgrade materials (i.e. crush & run, gravel, etc)
    • Labor
    • Fuel

• Property Location, Transportation, and Logistics

  • Accessibility to the project area
  • Neighborhood restrictions, if applicable
  • Obstacles such as landscaping, utilities, etc.
  • Travel and special considerations for delivery, labor, hauling, etc.
  • Permits required
  • Post- Construction Considerations

PRO TIP: Those who are restricted regarding timeline and/or budget may want to consider planning their concrete project for the off-season (fall/winter), OR locking in their project during the off season, when available. 

2- Property Lines, Buried Utilities, HOA Approvals, and Permits

In most cases, turn-key concrete contractors hold the homeowner responsible for locating and accurately communicating the existence of any nearby property lines, easements, buried utilities, irrigation systems, or any other invisible obstacles that may be present on your property. If you live in a Homeowners Association community, then it is a good idea to check with your HOA appointed officials, review bylaws, and make sure you understand what is required of you. You will also want to make sure that you share these requirements with your concrete contractor in advance, so that they may be able to provide proper documentation and plan your concrete construction within your HOA’s specific guidelines. 

Finally, it is important to check with your local municipalities regarding permitting requirements. If a permit is required for your project, then you will likely need to pay to obtain it on your own.

While your concrete contractor may be willing and able to provide you with some guidance or assistance regarding these steps, you can rest assured that you will save yourself time and headache by checking these items off of your list before you get started. Concrete has many benefits… but it isn’t flexible or cheap. If you choose to skip these steps, then you could be looking at unexpected costs such as additional landscaping, redesign, fines/fees, etc.

Guidance, Links, and Resources That May be Helpful:

• Property Lines

  • Anderson County GIS
  • Greenville County GIS
  • Pickens County GIS
  • In some cases, you may want to consider hiring a surveyor and/or reviewing the documentation from the purchase of your home – especially regarding any easements with neighboring properties.

• Locating Utilities

  • SC811

    • Call or complete the Request a Locate form to have existing utilities marked for free. See website for more information.

• Irrigation Systems

  • Depending on when these systems were installed, you may need to contact the contractor you hired to install the system, or refer to the documentation you were provided when you purchased your home for details regarding these systems.
  • Homeowners are typically responsible for relocating irrigation systems prior to the start of a concrete project.

• Other Invisible Obstacles

  • These might include buried/hidden concrete, invisible dog fences, septic tanks, or other obstacles that the contractor would not be able to see with the naked eye. Of course, there are some cases where neither the homeowner nor contractor could have reasonably expected to find something buried underground, and adjustments have to be made in stride. 

• Permit Requirements

  • Anderson County
  • Greenville County
  • Pickens County
  • Please be sure to check with your city and/or town officials for any further requirements that may be applicable.

3- Purpose and Design

It is important to consider exactly what you will use your concrete project for now, and in the future, to make sure that it is designed to withstand the conditions you intended to put it under. For example, if you’re planning to add on to your driveway for additional parking then you may want to consider the width and length of your vehicles. If you’re interested in a new concrete patio then you might want to consider the types of activities you plan to do on it – would a built-in concrete firepit be useful? Will you need to apply concrete sealant to protect your concrete from oil or grease stains? Do you need a sleek or slip-resistant concrete finish? Do the plans call for reinforcements? Rebar? Wire mesh? Fiber mesh? The list goes on and on! 

Before you get too excited about the design you have in mind, you should consult with your concrete contractor regarding the logistics of your property and discuss how certain options may impact the cost of a concrete project. Your contractor may advise that you make changes to better accommodate property lines, easements, water flow, your budget, and more!

Additionally, it’s important to note that some minor customization may be accommodated without much fluctuation to price (like a small curve in a walkway) , while other more complicated options ( such as increte colors, concrete stamps, and custom concrete finish applications) can increase the cost of your project by double or more!

4- Post-Construction Considerations

Depending on your property and preferences, you may want to consider the following before calling a concrete contractor…

• Consulting with other contractors, in landscaping or irrigation, regarding quotes and availability, so that you can line this up with the completion of your project.

  • Some homeowners may run into HOA fines if the property’s aesthetic has not been restored within a certain time frame. Depending on the time of year, you may experience extended wait times if you have not reserved a slot on their schedule in advance.

• The potential need or desire for the placement of conduit for future electrical or irrigation needs throughout the property.

  • While this can be remediated post-construction, it poses the least risk to the integrity of the concrete to place conduit during it’s initial construction. This is because any digging under the surface can disturb compaction of the subgrade, or create a void beneath the concrete’s surface, which may lead to settling, or cracking, if not done properly.

5- Concrete Curing Times and Temporary Measures

Any disturbance to a new concrete structure has the potential to negatively affect it’s strength, integrity, and finish appearance. That is why it is important to adhere to recommended concrete cure times, make proper arrangements for redirecting traffic (of people and vehicles), and schedule builds in advance. We highly recommend that homeowners consider neighbors, customers, children, and pets when making arrangements during and after construction of your concrete.

In general, your concrete should be sufficiently cured for …

• Walking within 24 hours of completion
• Driving within 7 days of completion.
• Building within 14 days of completion.

Please consult with your concrete contractor for official recommendations and guidelines regarding your concrete slab. Curing times will vary.

6- Concrete Maintenance

At Virtue Concrete SC, our policy is that the best maintenance is in quality construction. We highly recommend that our customers consider applying sealant immediately to avoid the absorption of harmful chemicals that may cause rapid deterioration, unsightly stains, and to reduce wear and tear from normal use. 

Homeowners may further extend the life of their concrete with annual concrete cleaning services, and by resealing their concrete every 1-2 years. At minimum, homeowners should make sure to have their concrete professionally cleaned every two years, and reseal their concrete every 3-4 years. 

 

7- Monitoring Concrete Cracks

Last, but certainly not least, you will want to monitor your new concrete for a minimum of one year for any signs of structural issues that may have been caused by it’s initial construction. Concrete cracks by nature, but structural cracking should never be ignored. Learn more about concrete cracks and signs of structural damage here.