Concrete · Driveways
Concrete Driveway Installation and Replacement in Brentwood, CA
What a new or replacement concrete driveway involves, what to ask before you sign, and how to compare quotes from independent East Contra Costa contractors.
How this site works: Brentwood Concrete & Pavers is an independent referral site. We don't pour concrete or install pavers. When you send a request, we pass it to an independent local contractor who measures, quotes and contracts with you directly. Use the checklists here with any contractor, including one we refer.
What a driveway replacement involves
A quote for a new or replacement driveway should cover the same basic steps. If a quote skips one, ask why.
- Demolition and haul-off. Breaking out the old slab and removing it. HomeGuide puts removal at roughly $2 to $6 per square foot, so it is worth seeing as its own line (HomeGuide).
- Grading and base. Shaping the ground so water runs away from the house and garage, then placing a compacted base.
- Forms and reinforcement. Setting the edges and placing rebar or wire mesh. HomeGuide lists rebar at about $1 to $3 per square foot extra.
- Pour and finish. Placing the concrete, then finishing the surface (broom, smooth, salt or exposed aggregate).
- Joints and curing. Cutting control joints and protecting the slab while it cures.
Thickness, reinforcement and joints: questions to ask
HomeGuide says a driveway for standard vehicles should be at least 4 inches thick, with 5 to 6 inches for heavy vehicles. A Bay Area contractor guide gives the same 4-inch standard and the same 5 to 6 inch range for heavier traffic. Ask for the thickness, the reinforcement type and the control-joint layout in writing. Control joints are cuts that tell the slab where to crack, and a driveway can still crack between them.
Finishes
A broom finish is the common plain option. Colored concrete, exposed aggregate and stamped patterns cost more and have their own upkeep. Angi puts stamped and exposed aggregate driveways at roughly $12 to $18 per square foot, against $6 to $8 for plain (Angi). If you are weighing stamped work, read the stamped concrete page and the honest pros and cons.
How long until you can use it
HomeGuide lists an initial set in 24 to 48 hours, light traffic after about 7 to 10 days, and a full cure around 28 to 30 days (HomeGuide). Follow your contractor's instructions on when to walk on it, when to park, and when to seal.
Widening or extending an existing driveway
Adding width or length to an existing driveway is a different job from a full replacement. The new concrete has to tie into old concrete, and color and finish may not match perfectly. Ask the contractor how the new section will meet the old one. Check your HOA rules before changing the footprint, and ask your contractor or city whether any approval is needed.
Repair or replace?
Not every cracked driveway needs replacing. Our repair and resurfacing guide explains what patching and overlays can and cannot fix.
What changes the price
Square footage, demolition, base preparation, thickness, reinforcement, finish, access for equipment, slope and any steps or aprons all move the total. HomeGuide lists a 400 square foot, two-car driveway at $2,400 to $6,000, and Angi lists $3,200 to $6,000 for the same size (HomeGuide, Angi). Those are national figures, so use them to sanity-check quotes, not to predict yours. The concrete cost guide shows the math.
Before you request quotes
- Measure length and width, or tell us the rough size
- Note whether the old driveway is concrete, asphalt or pavers
- Ask each contractor to itemize demolition, base, thickness and reinforcement
- Check each license at cslb.ca.gov
Sources
- HomeGuide — Concrete Driveway Cost (Jun 3, 2025)
- Angi — Concrete Driveway Cost (Apr 16, 2026)
- CSLB — Homeowner Checklists (accessed Oct 2026)
Common questions
How much does a concrete driveway cost?
Published national ranges run from about $6 to $10 per square foot for a basic driveway (HomeGuide) to $8 to $20 per square foot (Angi). The contractor sets the final price after measuring. See the concrete cost guide for sources and worked examples.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
HomeGuide says at least 4 inches for standard vehicles and 5 to 6 inches for heavy vehicles. Ask every contractor to put the thickness and the reinforcement in writing.
How long before I can drive on a new concrete driveway?
HomeGuide lists an initial set in 24 to 48 hours, light traffic after about 7 to 10 days, and a full cure at 28 to 30 days. Your contractor will give specific instructions for your mix and the weather.
Can I just repair my driveway instead of replacing it?
Sometimes. Minor flaking or hairline cracks can often be patched or resurfaced, while large cracks, crumbling or settling usually point to replacement. See the repair and resurfacing page.
Get a concrete or paver quote
Tell us about your project. We pass your request to an independent concrete or paver contractor serving East Contra Costa, who contacts you to measure and quote. There's no cost to send a request.
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- Ask for a written, itemized quote