How Much Will New Concrete Cost?

Choosing to build or replace a concrete slab is a big decision, and the price is going to be one of the leading factors in that decision. Here at Janzen Concrete, we will break it down for you, making sure you make a well informed decision on your project. There are multiple things that affect the price when it comes to hiring a company to do a pour. The main factors are the size of the pour, which steps you are hiring the company to do, and the quality of the job. Janzen Concrete makes sure you get the most for your money, while also providing the most quality service.

The Size.

The size of your project is going to be the biggest factor in the price. While smaller projects are still going to be cheaper overall, they are going to have a higher cost per square foot. For Example: a small project like a 5'x10' project could cost about between $1,500 and $3,500, which is between $30 and $70 per square foot. Now a bigger project, lets say a 20'x100' slab could cost anywhere between $7,500 and $15,000, which is $3.75-$7.50 per square foot. The reason why most companies charge more for smaller pours is because it takes just as much equipment and man power to do a small pour as it takes to do a bigger one. To sum it up, the bigger the slab, the lower the cost per square foot is going to be.

What is Included.

Figuring out what you will be needing for your project is a big part of determining your costs. There are 3 main factors, Demolition, Prep, and Pour and Finish. If you are wanting a brand new slab, you will not be needing any demolition, which is going to make your price cheaper already. The next step is the prep. For this, you will need to have the ground dug out, then good fill brought in, and compacted. Next is to build the forms and put in reinforcement, such as rebar or wire mesh. If you are looking to save some extra money, you could do this step yourself and hire the professionals at Janzen Concrete for the last step. Pour and Finish, this is the most important part of the concrete process, this is where the actual concrete is poured into the forms, and then finished to your desired look, such as broom, decorative, or smooth finish.

What to Look Out For.

When you get a quote for concrete, there are multiple things to look out for to make sure you're getting your money's worth from the job. The first thing to look for is the compacted base. Many contractors do not include a compacted base for your concrete in their price. While they can give you a cheaper price because of this, it is one of the main causes for premature heaving and cracking in a concrete slab. The second thing to look out for is reinforcement. While wire mesh will be adequate for smaller foot traffic areas, rebar is the superior choice. Typically you will want to see at least 1/2 inch (#4) rebar, or bigger. Rebar is going to be what gives your concrete its strength. Keeping these things in mind when reviewing a quote will help you make sure that you are getting a quality sidewalk, driveway, patio, or floor.

Maintenance

While concrete is a relatively low maintenance item, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind when you're taking care of your concrete. The first thing that is going to help is sealing your concrete. Sealing your concrete is going to help prevent moisture, stains, and chemicals from seeping into your concrete. This is especially important on driveways, sidewalks, or any exterior concrete pad. Sealing should be done every 1-3 years to keep a good coating on your concrete. The next step to keeping the surface from peeling and chipping, is avoiding using salt on your concrete. While salt is great for removing ice from your driveways and sidewalks, it is very harsh on concrete. Salt is going to eat away at the nice surface or your concrete, instead you should look at salt free alternatives for melting ice. Look into ice melting products that are safe for concrete if that is something you are considering. Overall, the cost of maintaining your concrete is not much, but taking these few steps go a long way protecting the surface of your concrete.

In Conclusion

Concrete is an expensive and permanent decision. Let the team of experts at Janzen Concrete take care of your needs to ensure you end up with a high quality product that is going to last. Whether you need a driveway, sidewalk, patio, floor, or whatever your concrete needs are, Janzen Concrete is going to deliver a quality product at a reasonable price. Get in contact with Janzen Concrete today to get started on your project, or to ask any questions you may have. As always, Janzen Concrete is committed to providing quality concrete services, at a reasonable price.