Concrete Driveway Installation, Houston

Concrete driveway installation in Houston begins with the base. A good base, steel rebar and correct joints keep a slab from cracking on our clay soil. We handle the permit when the work touches city right-of-way.

Signs you need a new driveway

  • Wide cracks or sunken sections
  • Uneven slab edges that trip people or scrape cars
  • Water pools on the driveway
  • The surface is flaking or crumbling
  • Weeds grow through the joints
  • The slab is too narrow for your cars
  • You are adding a garage or a new curb cut
  • Tree roots have lifted the concrete

How a driveway pour goes

  1. 1On-site estimateWe measure the drive, check slope and drainage and mark where it meets the street.
  2. 2Written priceYou get the price per square foot, thickness, finish and any tear-out.
  3. 3Permit and 811The City of Houston requires a permit and inspections for work in the right-of-way. We call 811 before digging.
  4. 4Prep and formWe remove old concrete, grade, compact base, set forms and tie rebar.
  5. 5Pour and finishConcrete is poured, leveled and broom-finished. Joints are cut or tooled.
  6. 6Cure and final inspectionKeep cars off for the cure time. We schedule the city’s final inspection.

Concrete driveway options and costs in Houston

Standard broom finish$8–$20 per sq ft (typical)

The most common driveway. Total projects usually run $2,700 to $14,500.

Colored or stained concrete$12–$20 per sq ft (typical)

Adds color to the surface.

Stamped concrete$12–$18 per sq ft (typical)

Pattern stamped into the surface for a brick or stone look.

Old driveway removal$1–$5 per sq ft (typical)

Break up, haul and dispose of the old concrete.

Typical Houston ranges for planning. Your written price comes after we see the job.

What changes the price

  • Square footage and thickness
  • Rebar or wire mesh
  • Tear-out and haul-off
  • Slope, drainage and soil prep
  • Finish: broom, stained or stamped
  • Permit, inspection and ready-mix fees such as short-load or standby

See the full cost guide →

Good to know in Houston

Houston clay soil swells when wet and shrinks when dry, so slabs on soft base crack. Steel reinforcement and control joints help control where it cracks. Summer heat makes concrete set fast, and rain can force a pour to move, so we plan around the weather.

A driveway, sidewalk or approach in the City of Houston right-of-way needs a permit and pre-pour and post-pour inspections. Call 811 at least two business days before digging.

Questions about concrete driveways

How thick should a driveway be?

Most residential driveways are 4 inches. A thicker slab or extra rebar is used for heavy trucks.

How long before I can drive on it?

Foot traffic after a day or two, cars after about seven days, and heavy trucks after four weeks.

Why did my driveway crack?

Soil movement, thin base, no rebar and heavy loads are the usual reasons. Control joints direct cracks.

Do you remove the old driveway?

Yes. Removal and hauling are listed as a line item in your written price.

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