Two driveways of identical size can be priced thousands apart, and neither contractor is necessarily wrong. The difference is almost always in the work that happens before the truck arrives.
Demolition and disposal
Removing an existing slab means breaking it, loading it and paying a disposal fee by weight. A thick, heavily reinforced old driveway costs meaningfully more to take out than a thin one.
Base preparation
This is where quotes diverge most. Excavating deeper, importing crushed stone and compacting in lifts adds cost. It is also the single biggest factor in whether the slab is still flat in fifteen years. A quote that is much lower than the others has usually cut it here.
Thickness and reinforcement
Going from four inches to five is a 25 percent increase in material for that slab. Rebar costs more than fiber. Both are worth it under vehicle loads.
Access
If the truck can back up and chute directly into the forms, the pour is fast. If the concrete has to be wheeled by buggy or moved by pump, add labor and equipment. Backyard patios are frequently priced above front driveways for this reason alone.
Finish and color
A broom finish is the baseline. Exposed aggregate, integral color, stamping and sealing each add material and skilled labor time. Stamped work carries the largest premium because it takes more finishers working in a narrow window.
What to ask for in a quote
- Slab thickness in inches
- Base depth and material
- Reinforcement type
- Joint spacing plan
- What happens to the old concrete
- Whether the price includes final grading and turf repair
