Is tackling a new concrete driveway project feasible for inexperienced crew members, considering the complexities of grading and finish work, and the importance of proper water flow away from the house?
Asked by Alexander Marie 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 23, 2024
So, we got a quote for $25,000 to tear up our driveway and pour a new concrete one. A few other companies gave us similar prices, but it’s just way over our budget.
Do you think it’s too ambitious for a group of beginners like us to tackle pouring a new concrete driveway?
I mean, we would definitely do our research, but I’m worried about getting the slope right for proper drainage and nailing down the finishing touches. We definitely want to make sure water flows away from the house.
What do you think?
You could potentially save some money by handling your own demolition, setting up the forms, and then having the company complete the work for you.
I’ve realized that I’m not the best when it comes to concrete work, it’s definitely an art.
I agree with that. The professionals in this field make it seem effortless, but it’s actually quite challenging. If you have no experience, I would highly recommend not attempting it on something as important as your driveway.
Agreed…..that idea sounds like a disaster waiting to happen…
Consider handling all of the demo work yourself. Some companies might insist on doing the prep work, but it’s important for ensuring quality.
Divide the project into smaller sections instead of pouring the entire driveway at once.
You know, I believe concrete work requires more skill than people think. Even as a DIY project, it would still be a big investment. Maybe you could check back with some of the contractors and ask if there’s a way to lower the cost by doing the demo or making changes to the design.
So, we got a quote of 75k, which doesn’t sound too bad 😜 but it’s still out of our budget. That’s why we’re doing all the prep work ourselves. Is your driveway in good enough shape to be refinished instead of replaced?
Demo can be a challenge without the right equipment. You’re spot on about the grade and slope. It’s important to avoid directing water towards your neighbor or a low spot in the yard. Stick with the current driveway design if the slope works well. Make sure the concrete is thick enough for vehicles and delivery trucks. Communicate your needs to the mixing plant for the right concrete mix. Measure the volume accurately to ensure you have enough. Be prepared with extra concrete and a dumping location. Consider renting an industrial mixer if doing the mixing yourself. Plan your steps carefully and have the necessary tools ready before starting. Aim for a textured finish, not a smooth one. Practice with a small pad before the main project.
Thanks for the great advice, !
Hey, you know what? They might charge you extra to fix any mess you make. Check it out – most of the cost is just for materials, not counting labor and overhead. And about 10% of that is probably profit. So, if you really think it’s worth the effort to save some money, go for it. A 25k driveway is no small project. Newbies could handle 4 yards at a time, so you’ll be paying for small loads on the trucks – meaning more material. Plus, you’ll need a ton of expansion joints and dowels between pours to hold everything together, which will cost you more. Depending on where you are, concrete could be over $200 a yard. By the time you rent equipment and buy the necessary tools, you’ll likely exceed 25k
My husband and I tackled the project ourselves. We dedicated each weekend to working on a section for a few months. It may not be flawless, but no one is examining it closely, and it has held up well for almost 4 years.
Without the proper tools and know-how, you’ll end up regretting it and losing money. Once you start pouring, you have to keep going until it’s done. Concrete operates on its own schedule, not yours. The cost of concrete used to be $70 to $100 per yard 5 years ago, now it’s around $200 to $250 per yard. Ready mix is more cost-effective than bags due to the labor saved by not having to mix it. If you’re working with 2 yards or $500 worth of cement, expect labor costs of $500 to $1000. So, budget around $1000 to $1500 for every 2 yards a contractor pours. Keep in mind this estimate doesn’t include demolition work.
Demoing is an option, but perfecting concrete finishing truly requires skill.
Couple of tips.
Get quotes for removal from a demolition company.
It might be cheaper. Renting equipment can be costly and time-consuming.
Find a company that will buy the concrete from you for recycling.
Some bigger crews have weekend workers, ask around for help. (Set forms in advance)
Get a direct quote from the concrete plant. Sometimes you’re overcharged for materials.
In summary, break down each step, pay for materials on your own, and hire labor separately. This can save money, take some time, and avoid weekend work and back pain.
Was so useful, thanks a lot!
One of the most important things is to pour in small sections– no more than 3-5 cubic yards at once. Have the right tools, know how to use them, and have plenty of help. I used to work with concrete for years and now do remodeling. Even with experience, pouring too much without enough help or the right tools can lead to problems.
’t go for it — you’ll likely mess it up and materials are expensive.
A small pad for a shed — hire a professional.
A driveway? Better to leave it to the pros or you may end up paying for fixes
If I were in your shoes, I’d handle the demo, grading, and forming on my own, then hire experienced finishers for the concrete work on a side job.
Absolutely not. From your question, it sounds like you’re tackling a standard driveway, around 20×30 feet. Concrete work is demanding and requires expertise, strength, and a team effort. Timing is crucial with concrete, as it sets quickly once poured. Be ready to handle the entire load when the truck arrives, as they won’t wait around. Special tools are essential for concrete work, including trowels, a broom, screed tool, edger, wheelbarrow, and compactor. Mistakes in concrete are not easily corrected, even by so-called professionals. While you could attempt the demo yourself, it may not be worth the trouble. Breaking the project into smaller sections may be possible, but it still requires a range of tools and materials. Mixing concrete adds another layer of complexity, with the need to get the right mix of sand, gravel, and cement. I recommend seeking professional help or assistance from an experienced mason to ensure a successful outcome. I once assisted a mason in pouring a walkway, and it was a challenging task that required teamwork.
You know, you could give this small project a shot as a DIY. All you really need is a bulldozer to grade the slope properly. A backhoe and a dump truck to transport the demo material. A spot to dispose of the old material. A laser and posts to outline the required slope grade. Once you bring in the stone for a solid base, use a roller to compact the new base. We’re well on our way to a new driveway. Next up is forming to keep the new concrete in place until it sets. When pouring the concrete, make sure to level it with a screed by hand. After it starts to set, the top will need to be smoothed with a power trowel for a nice finish. Not done yet – at the right time during the curing process, grab your sprayer and apply a layer of sealing and hardening chemicals. Oh, and don’t forget to keep the car out of the garage, as it’ll be 5 to 7 days before you can drive on it.
Slater I found this very helpful, thank you!
Oh wow, the driveway looks amazing now that it’s in and has cured. It’s time to remove the forms from the ground. Oops, the driveway is actually higher than the yard and doesn’t match. The dump truck needs to come back out to bring topsoil to blend the yard and driveway together. It’s all about hand filling and smoothing with a rake. Everything is really coming together nicely. But we’re not quite finished yet. ‘t forget to seed all the new topsoil with grass seed and cover it with mulch to keep the moisture in so the seeds can grow. It’s simply stunning now. Oh, and starting next week, you’ll need to visit the chiropractor weekly.
Yikes! We had a 3100 sq ft concrete driveway installed 2 years back for $14K. I didn’t want to tackle this project myself. The estimates we got ranged from $13-37K. It might be worth getting a few more quotes!
Concrete is a tricky business with so many factors to consider. When things don’t go as planned, you need to act quickly and decisively. There’s no time to consult Dr. Google – concrete doesn’t wait for anyone! Unless you have a skilled and trustworthy person on site to handle everything from form work to pouring, your hard work will be for nothing. It’s best to find a reliable side work guy in your area and maybe tackle the project in small chunks over the weekends. Just make sure you have someone who really knows their stuff, the right tools, and plenty of help. It’s tough work, and if you make a mistake, well, you know the rest. Working with a good side work guy might save you a few thousand dollars, but with materials prices soaring due to the pandemic, there’s not much profit left in a $25,000 job.
Plandemic? Sounds intriguing! 😄
Piece of cake.
If you have some extra cash to spare, go ahead and splurge haha
We should go with asphalt.
It might end up costing you more if you attempt to handle it on your own. You might consider preparing it for pouring and then hiring a team to complete the job. It will likely still cost around 20k.
How much square footage are we talking?
Would you consider starting with a smaller area to practice on first? Perhaps a walkway?
This is exactly what I was thinking initially
In my opinion, you need at least one person who has experience with it. But you can definitely handle the demolition on your own.
My neighbor actually dug under the slab and used a sledgehammer to do his driveway. It took a week of hard work, but he managed it on his own. He compacted it, set up the edging and rebar, and got a concrete truck to pour it. Despite being in his 70s and having no prior experience, it looks just like any other driveway. I helped with the demo and carried away the old pieces, which was a good workout. I suppose if you’re on your knees, it might not look as neat. Working with concrete is tough but not overly complicated. I’ve poured plenty of large slabs myself by mixing small batches at a time and smoothing them out. Turned out really well. There are lots of helpful YouTube videos out there. If your driveway is quite large, consider doing it in parts. Most tools can be rented easily, though some tasks can be done by hand.
I believe using brick pavers might be a more DIY-friendly option. Maybe look into pricing that.
I handle everything myself. Literally everything. But not something like this. Have you got the correct saw and guidelines for the relief cuts? That alone can be expensive. Metal forms for the inside? The hooks for pulling as you pour? Sand base? I would tackle something like a walkway, sure. But we had a 14×48 patio installed against the back of our house that I didn’t even attempt because I wanted it done correctly to last, without having to worry about breaking it up and replacing it one day.
Does your driveway stretch out for a while? I had mine replaced last year for around $9000 in the Seattle area, including demolition, and it’s about 70 feet long. Have you received multiple quotes?
You know, grading and framing the concrete is pretty manageable if you have some construction background. But when it comes to finishing concrete without experience, it can be quite tricky and mistakes are common.
I wouldn’t recommend attempting this myself. I recently had a patio poured and had to replace one slab, and it’s definitely a skillful task.
Working with concrete is no easy task. Big shoutout to those who work with it day in and day out. I tackle all sorts of DIY projects, from bathrooms to demolishing walls, building custom closets, and more. I’ve even tried my hand at concrete walkways. The lesson here is that it’s very temperamental. Even with consistent methods, the results can vary greatly from amazing to terrible. Would I tackle a walkway or shed foundation again? Maybe. Would I pour a driveway for my car to rest on? Definitely not haha. It’s tough work with unpredictable outcomes.
The actual process of pouring concrete is no joke… If you’re thinking of doing it yourself, make sure you figure out the cost of hauling away and disposing of the old concrete.
Mentioned the same thing. We decided not to pour concrete ourselves, but we did handle a lot of demolition. It’s also a good idea to obtain quotes from other companies. We encountered some who were not interested in such a small project due to high demand for concrete work. Eventually, we found a smaller company that offered a much lower bid!
Unfortunately, the costs of everything have increased. As contractors, we often end up losing money when clients feel like they’re being overcharged… It’s all because of the economy. That’s why our prices have gone up by around 40%. We get it, though.
You can learn how to do it by watching YouTube tutorials.
The quality of your concrete depends on the person laying it down.
You didn’t mention the size of the driveway. How do you think you’ll get helpful advice from experienced individuals? It’s similar to asking, “Is $15,000 a fair price for a car?” without providing details. The answer varies, right? I suggest starting a new thread for better responses.
Before you decide to have your driveway redone and hire another crew, think about the actual worth of the job.
You could save a lot by doing your own prep work and then hiring someone to place and finish it. Demolition is a big job, but it’s easy since it doesn’t require much skill. You might need to dig, break it up, and haul it off. For the prep work, you may need to dig out or down to create a new or better base and bring in some gravel. It’s a fair amount of work, but it’s doable as a DIY project. The tricky part is placing and finishing the concrete. You could offer to pay for the concrete upfront to save some money. Just make sure to call your local supplier for concrete cost estimates. A driveway usually takes a couple of hours to pour and a few more hours to finish, depending on the size. I’ve prepped and formed concrete for contractors in the past, but I’m not comfortable with placing and finishing it myself. How big is your driveway? How many yards of concrete do you need (
Was so helpful, thank you! I would definitely hire you, haha
If you hire me, you might end up laughing out loud… 🙂 However, I have enough experience in construction to know my limits and when to bring in skilled labor. Just make sure not to skip proper base preparation, or even the best finish won’t be good enough. 🙂
I’m not sure where you’re located, but in this area, the cost for tearing out and replacing concrete ranges from $8 to $12 per square foot. The pricing factors in the difficulty of the job, including equipment, transportation, and labor hours. Concrete projects can be challenging, especially for beginners, unless you’re okay with potentially unsatisfactory results. This is particularly true for larger driveway projects.
Exactly, doing concrete work is not something you want to attempt as a first-time DIY project. It requires some experience.
We spent $25,000 on a partial driveway, patios, and porches four years ago. The contractor we hired wasn’t the cheapest, but I made sure to do my research. He had been in the business for a long time, and I didn’t have to make any payment until the job was completed. They finished the work in a week and did an amazing job. Always do your research before hiring.
How many yards do we need?
I can never wrap my head around this thought process. If you’re questioning it, you likely know it’s too difficult for you. Just like how I could perform surgery on myself and remove an organ, but the consequences could be fatal, which is why healthcare costs are so high. If you’re willing to take the risk, go for it, but in my opinion, it’s best to leave it to the experts. Remember, cheap things are rarely high quality, and high-quality things are rarely cheap!
Being well-informed and considering different perspectives before taking action shows intelligence. It’s evident how my mind works if one has logic.
“experience is more reliable than deductive reasoning when it comes to guidance”
One acquires knowledge by learning and putting it into practice, that’s just how life works.
I see where is coming from. While I agree with his point in this case, there are numerous DIY projects that homeowners are more than capable of tackling, despite initially doubting their abilities. I understand that everyone needs to earn a living, but labor costs can be exorbitant and sometimes seem like a rip-off. I get the whole “paying for their experience” argument, but it’s often not the case. As a diesel mechanic, I have expensive equipment that many people with basic tools and YouTube tutorials can handle.
Might be missing his point. You’ll learn and improve through hands-on experience with YOUR driveway, even if it takes a few attempts, whereas a professional would likely get it right on the first try.
If demoing and starting over multiple times weren’t so costly, then by all means, give it a shot.
Doing concrete work is not something you should attempt on your own.
My dad and I tackled this project years ago. Surprisingly, it held up well for many years. We may not be experts, but we had some valuable knowledge that helped us along the way.
Need a concrete driveway? Are you able to work with asphalt? If not, maybe crushed stone would work? It’s a common alternative here in MA.
Look for someone who is constructing a driveway and offer to pay the workers double the amount that the owner is paying them. It’s important to value knowledge and fair wages for labor.
I’ve been in this industry for a while now, and trust me, driveways are not something you want to tackle on your own. I recently replaced a driveway, two sidewalks, steps, and a patio for around the same price.
You know what? ‘t let the doubters get you down! I remember when I was working on my house, digging footers, setting up form boards, and getting volunteers who didn’t have a clue. I got a lot of flack on social media, people telling me to hire a pro, saying it would be cheaper, insisting I couldn’t handle it, especially with inexperienced helpers. But when the inspector checked out the forms, he was impressed with my work. And once the slab was poured, he said it looked fantastic! So heck yes, go for it if you’re feeling up to the challenge. It’s tough and you’ll need some assistance, but it can be done. And you’ll save a bundle! I picked up a trencher from Harbor Freight for $3500 to dig the footers, and it still cost less than hiring someone. I repurposed my form boards into a picnic table and had leftover metal stakes for my driveway. Just do some research
I have a French drain in my driveway to prevent water from getting into the garage since the slope goes towards the house. If your driveway has a similar slope, consider using drains to avoid water issues.