How To Buy Concrete


WHY IS CONCRETE A BETTER CHOICE?

Why Concrete Driveways? Because concrete is so versatile, preferred for durability, appearance, low maintenance, and indicates quality construction from the first glance. A concrete driveway does it all.

Homeowners take great pride in the exterior of their home. The concrete driveway has become an essential part of a landscaping plan that imparts an inviting image. Concrete’s wide variety of texture, color, or patterns has elevated the driveway to the status of a landscape design element…meeting today’s homeowner’s exacting demands.

Not only is concrete functional, it lends itself to a wide variety of design options…which can make a dramatic difference in home landscaping plans, as well as enhance property values. In addition to the traditional look, concrete can have the decorative appearance, feel, and color of brick, tile, slate, or stone. Exposed aggregate is another popular finish. Also, many other design choices are available. With all of these choices available, you will find the perfect complement to your home's exterior decor.

Concrete driveways have long been known to give trouble-free service to homeowners. The reason is simple. Concrete is durable…many driveways last for 30 years and longer without major maintenance. Just as with many high-quality products, concrete costs less over its service life than asphalt.

From the street to the garage, a personally designed concrete driveway welcomes guests to your home, as well as addiing enduring quality and value to your home.

WHERE DO I START?
HOW TO BUY A DRIVEWAY

 PLANNING

The quality of the completed concrete driveway always begins with good planning. Spending time at this stage is always a wise decision that can help to eliminate possible problems later on. One of the first things to consider is the size of your driveway.

The suggested width for a single-car driveway is 8 to 9 feet. For double width, plan to use 15 to 18 feet. If the distance from the street to a two or more car garage is long enough, the initial entry approach can be of single-car width and then widened near the garage to accommodate all car stalls. If space is available, extra parking or a turn-around area can be included. The planning stage is the time to consider adding that concrete patio or porch addition as well.

Regarding your driveway thickness, non-reinforced pavement 4 inches thick is standard for passenger car driveways. For heavier vehicles, a thickness of 5 inches is recommended. To eliminate standing water, the driveway should be sloped towards the street a minimum of 1%, or 1/8 inch per foot for proper drainage.

DESIGN OPTIONS

Today’s concrete can be formed into practically any shape, texture, pattern, or color. It’s a way of adding a new dimension of quality and elegance to your home, at a reasonable cost.

Pattern stamping is an exotic and colorful way to enhance ordinary concrete paving. Essentially, the driveway is cast-in-place concrete which has been colored and imprinted with a pattern designed to look like brick, tile, cobblestone, or other various patterns. Textured finishes include bromide, swirl, or exposed aggregate.

Click here to view examples of projects

QUALIFYING CONTRACTORS


Open communication between property owners and concrete contractors result in smart buying decisions.

GENERAL ADVICE: 

  1. Have a list of questions prepared when calling or meeting with contractors.

  2. Always get a minimum of 3 quotes to ensure you are getting a competetive price.

Call Cemstone's Certified installers at 651-686-4203.

  1. Always call the city to ask if a permit is needed and if there are regulations on construction hours.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE CONTRACTORS:

About the Contractor:

  1. How long have you been in business?

    • Are you registered with the Better Business Bureau? www.bbb.com

  2. Will you issue a Lien release upon payment?
     
  3. Unsure of what a Lien, pre-lien, or lien release means?

LIEN DEFINITIONS:

Amechanic’s lienis a security interest in the title to property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve the property.

Notice of Pre-lien is a document notifying the owner of real property that materials or services are being furnished to his real property, putting him on notice that the one sending it would look to have a lien against the real property if those materials or services are not paid for.

A lien waiver  or lien release is a release of a claim of a lien. Such waivers are governed primarily by state laws, which vary by state. Upon signing a lien waiver, all rights to attach a lien to certain property or goods is relinquished.

  1. Do you have references or other driveways I could see?

  2. Are any of your finishers ACI (American Concrete Institute) certified? If so, Can I have their name(s)? For verification of ACI Certified finishers, Click here

Definition of a Concrete Flatwork Finisher - a craftsman who has demonstrated the ability to place, consolidate, finish, edge, joint, cure and protect concrete flatwork.

  1. Do you have warranties? Cemstone offers a 5 year warranty onDURA-CRETE®.

ABOUT YOUR PROJECT:


SCHEDULE

  1. What is your schedule like? When can this be done?

    1. It is not recommended that driveways, patios, sidewalks, steps, etc. be placed after October 1st.

SUBGRADE

  1. What is the cost of removing the existing driveway (including the disposal of material)?
     
  2. Ask what kind of subgrade each contractor recommends putting down. Subgrade should be uniform, providing adequate support to allow drainage.
     
  3. If the subgrade is in question, contact a geotechnical engineer.  There needs to be an adequate subgrade to endure the freeze/thaw cycles we go through each winter.  If it’s not adequate, your driveway can heave and crack.

TIP: Prior to the concrete being placed, the contractor should have the subgrade damp but not saturated.

DRIVEWAY

  1. Request that any specialty items be written out in the quote.

  2. What is the cost per square foot for a new driveway? This is the easiest way to evenly compare the contractors.

  3. How many cubic yards does my project need? Click here for Cemstone’s Homeowner’s calculator for driveways. (Concrete calculator for driveways only. Convert measurements to cy and sqft.)

   4.    How will the contractor finish the driveway? What finishing options are available? What do these options cost?

   5.    How many joints will the contractor cut? It is recommended that the joints be cut to 1/4 of the total depth of the slab; i.e., (for a 4" slab, joints should be cut approximately every 10' in both directions.)

   6.   What are the dimensions covered by your contractors' proposal?

MIX DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. For minimal popouts (surface defects), request a Class A aggregate such as granite.  Only use gravel when where it has a proven service record..

  2. Strength greater than or equal to 4500psi at 28 days.
     
  3. Water-Cement ratio of 0.45 or less.

  4. Air content: 5-8%.  (The air is needed to survive our winters)

  5. Thickness:  5” is recommended but 4” is acceptable if the subgrade conditions are ideal.

   6. What is the up charge for adding color to my driveway?

             a.  Click here to see Cemstone’s Intregal Liquid Color Chart.

LIQUID COLOR TIPS:

  1. Insist that the contractor order 3 c.y. or greater for each load to ensure your driveway matches. A sample panel should be poured prior to your project is recommended.

  2. Ask to see other driveways with the same color you are considering.  The color will vary from what you see on the printed material based on the materials put into the concrete.

  3. Finishing – no additional water should be added to these loads as it will skew the color from truck to truck.  Also request that the finishing be done in the same direction for a consistent look.

7.  What is your curing and sealing process? Click Here

Click here to find your closest Cemstone Contractor Supply Store.

8. Do you have a maintenance program? What do you recommend?

TIPS:

  1. DO NOT use deicers containing ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, or any other sulfate salt.

  2. No deicing product other than plan sand should be applied until the slab’s second winter season.

    Click here to download PDF of Cemstone's Homeowner's Guide to Buying Concrete