2026 ranges for common jobs
| Job | Typical range | What's usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Broom-finish driveway, 4–5 in | $8 – $13 / sq ft | Base, rebar, joints, finish |
| Heavy-duty driveway, 6 in | $10 – $15 / sq ft | Heavier steel for trucks and trailers |
| Patio, 4 in | $8 – $13 / sq ft | Base, rebar, slope, joints |
| Front walk or sidewalk | $9 – $15 / sq ft | Small jobs run higher per foot |
| Stamped or colored concrete | $14 – $24 / sq ft | Color, release, pattern, sealer |
| Exposed aggregate | $11 – $17 / sq ft | Special mix and washing |
| Garage or shop slab with beams | $8 – $14 / sq ft | Vapor barrier; engineering extra |
| Removal of old concrete | $2 – $4 / sq ft | Break-out and haul-off |
| Slab lifting (foam) | $6 – $12 / sq ft | Holes patched, joints sealed |
| Crack routing and sealing | $3 – $8 / linear ft | Minimum visit applies |
These are budgeting numbers for the Houston area, drawn from typical residential work. Your estimate is the price that counts, and it should list each of the items below so you can see where the money goes.
What moves the price
What has to come out
Breaking out and hauling away an old driveway can add a quarter or more to the job, more if the old slab is thick or full of steel. Pavers, stone and wood decks come out faster.
Base and dig depth
Digging past soft or organic soil and bringing in compacted crushed base is where cheap and good concrete part ways. A bid that doesn't mention base usually doesn't include much of it.
Thickness and steel
Going from four to five inches adds roughly a quarter more concrete. Rebar on chairs costs more than mesh, and mesh more than nothing, but on Houston clay the steel is what holds cracked panels together.
Size and access
Small jobs cost more per foot because the crew, the truck and the setup cost the same. Backyards without a gate wide enough for equipment may need a concrete pump, often a few hundred dollars or more.
Finish
Broom is the baseline. Salt, exposed aggregate, stamping, color and borders each add labor and material.
Permits and the right-of-way
Approaches, curbs, culverts and public sidewalks need permits, and sometimes a culvert pipe. Those are separate lines and can add a meaningful amount at the street.
Comparing two estimates
- Is the slab thickness stated?
- Is the base named, with a thickness?
- Rebar or mesh, and is it on chairs?
- Where will the joints be, and how soon are they cut?
- Is removal and haul-off included?
- Who pulls the permit, and is it priced?
- What's the finish, and is sealing included?
Questions people ask
Why is my quote higher than the other one?
Usually because it includes more: thicker concrete, real base, rebar instead of mesh, removal, a permit. Compare line by line. If the cheaper bid doesn't mention those things, ask.
Is concrete cheaper in winter?
Not much, though scheduling can be easier outside the busiest spring and early summer weeks. Material prices are set by the ready-mix suppliers.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Estimates are free and written.
What's the minimum job?
Small repairs carry a minimum visit charge, typically a few hundred dollars, because the crew and setup cost the same for a small job.
Keep reading: Driveway cost · Stamped concrete cost · Concrete driveways