Hey Folks - Let's Talk Driveways
Happy New Year from the crew here at Merchant's Concrete. I know a new driveway probably isn't the first thing on your mind in January but honestly? This is the BEST time to start planning one.
Here's the deal - everybody and their brother calls us in March wanting a driveway poured by Easter. By then our schedule is packed and you're looking at a 4-6 week wait. But if you call us NOW, we can get you measured up, get a quote together, and pencil you in for a prime pour window in spring or early fall.
What Goes Into the Price
I get this question all the time so let me break it down real quick:
- Demo and haul-off - if your old driveway needs to come out first, that's a chunk of the budget right there. Especially if it's thick or has rebar in it.
- Base prep - here in Sarasota we're dealing with sandy soil which is actually pretty good for drainage but you still need a proper compacted base.
- Thickness - standard residential driveway is 5 inches minimum. If you've got an RV or heavy truck, we're going 6 inches with extra reinforcement.
- Finish type - broom finish is your standard and most affordable. Stamped or exposed aggregate is gonna run more but man does it look good.
- Sealing - always seal your driveway. Always. Florida sun and rain will eat unprotected concrete alive.
Budget Planning
I'm not gonna throw specific numbers in a blog post because every job is different - the guy over on Bee Ridge with a straight 20x40 driveway is a totally different job than the lady in Lakewood Ranch with a circular drive and fancy borders. But I will say this: get at least two or three quotes. If someone's way cheaper than everyone else, ask yourself why.
We've been doing this over 20 years and we always tell people - concrete is one of those things where you get what you pay for. A cheap driveway cracks in two years and then you're paying to do it all over again.
So if 2024 is the year you finally replace that cracked up driveway, give us a call. We'll come out, take a look, and give you an honest quote. No pressure, no games. (941) 374-8674.