Concrete pavement is measured and estimate based upon the square foot.
To measure the square footage of concrete pavement needed on your property multiply the length and width of the concrete pavement.
Once you have calculated the square footage of pavement, multiply the quantity by the unit pricing to calculate a rough budget for the pavement.
A concrete crew can typically tear out and re-install a new concrete driveway in 1 to 3 days. The first two days are used to tear out the existing concrete pavement and set formwork for the new pavement. Once the formwork is completed the concrete crew can generally pour and finish the concrete with a half days worth of work.
The pattern and type of finish you will are applying to the concrete will affect the pricing. Standard concrete pavement with a broom finish ($4 to $8 per sf) is much cheaper than stamped and dyed concrete ($15+ per sf).
In construction, there is a term called economies-of-scale. The larger the project, the more efficient the contractor can be installing the concrete pavement.
If your driveway, sidewalk or patio has odd shapes, curves or angles it will require more time and labor to layout the formwork.
If your property has existing pavement, the Contractor will have to saw cut, break, demolish and haul away the existing Concrete ($1 to $3/sf)
Concrete pavement removal and construction can cause damage to grass and landscaping adjacent to the work, so keep in mind you may need to re-seed or repair damage from pavement work.
Concrete flatwork installed on the front of the house is easily accessible from the street, whereas concrete patios in the backyard may need wheelbarrows or pump equipment to haul materials to the backyard, requiring more labor and equipment costs.
The location where you are installing the concrete will have a significant impact. If you are installing the concrete in downtown San Francisco the concrete will obviously cost much more than the same pavement being installed in Suburbia.
Spring and Summer is peak concrete pavement season and Concrete Contractors are generally swamped with work, so if you are getting pavement installed during this time you will likely pay a premium.
Concrete contractors will generally provide an all inclusive bid to 'furnish and install' all labor and concrete materials on the project.
Here is an example of how to write a Scope of Work that insures your Concrete Contractor provides an all-inclusive bid.
All Concrete/Flatwork work is to be Contractor Purchased, Contractor Installed.
