How Much is a Concrete Driveway?

“How much does a concrete driveway cost?”

It’s a common question, but many people are surprised to hear there is no simple answer. Determining how much does it cost to concrete a driveway is similar to working out how much it will cost to build a house. The answer is determined by a wide range of factors, including the site conditions, the size, the design, the choice of finishes and whether or not any additional works will need to be completed.

How Much to Concrete A Driveway?

The first thing you’ll need to do when determining how much a concrete driveway costs, is work out the total size of the driveway in square metres. This can be calculated by measuring the driveway length and width and then multiplying those measurements. For example, a concrete driveway that is 3 metres wide x 5 metres long is 15m2. Bear in mind that the Western Australia Local Government Association specifies that a driveway must be at least 3 metres wide at the point where it meets the property boundary.

When working out how much to concrete a driveway, some people may assume that the cost will be similar per square metre to that of a concrete path or slab. But regulations specify concrete driveways need to meet a certain thickness (so they can bear the weight of vehicles). Since they are usually thicker than the average concrete path, concrete driveways will normally cost more per square metre (due to the additional concrete required).

Total Concrete Driveway Cost Will Depend on Choice of Material

Concrete driveways can be constructed using a range of materials, from plain concrete through to more decorative finishes such as exposed aggregate or liquid limestone. Plain concrete is considered the most cost-effective material for a driveway, but other options include:

• Coloured concrete: While it is possible to paint a plain concrete driveway once it is finished, a better option is to opt for a coloured concrete finish. Unlike an application of surface paint (which will need to be regularly re-coated), coloured concrete has pigment added directly to the concrete mix, ensuring a long-lasting finish.
• Exposed aggregate: This is one of the most popular finishes for a concrete driveway, since exposed aggregate looks great, is easy to clean and often costs less than people may think.
• Liquid limestone: This material is made by mixing crushed limestone with regular cement and the resulting product is more durable than regular concrete. Liquid limestone driveways can be finished off with standard expansion joins or with a more decorative patterned cut.

Total Concrete Driveway Cost Will Depend on Site Preparation

The level of site preparation required can be a significant factor when it comes to working out how much it costs to concrete a driveway. Even a driveway on a flat block of land will require a certain amount of levelling and preparation – the steeper the block becomes or the more excavation that is required, the more this will affect the cost of the concrete driveway.

Total Concrete Driveway Cost Will Depend on Additional Site Works

If you want to include additional site works, then this will naturally increase the overall cost of the concrete driveway. Additional works could include demolition and removal of existing landscaping, the installation of soak wells for improved drainage or even excavation and edging for adjacent landscaping.

Getting an Exact Price for a Concrete Driveway The best way to determine how much a concrete driveway will cost is to ask for a free quote from an experienced professional. At Seamless Concrete, we offer a range of services and concrete finishes at competitive prices. To find out more or to arrange a quote for a concrete driveway, contact our office today.