New Concrete Driveway Installation in San Antonio

What a new driveway installation includes

A full new-driveway job from a real concrete contractor should include everything from staking the layout to cleanup on the last day. Typical scope:

• Site walk, measurement, and grade check
• Excavation and removal of topsoil, roots, and soft spots
• Compacted base — usually crushed limestone or road base — brought to grade
• Forms set to the driveway shape, with correct slope for drainage away from the house
• Rebar grid or fiber-mesh reinforcement, sized for residential loads
• Concrete pour, screed, float, and finish (broom, smooth, or decorative)
• Control joints cut at the right spacing to guide where cracks form
• Curing, sealer if specified, and final cleanup

Thickness, base, and reinforcement

Residential driveways in the San Antonio area are typically poured at 4 inches thick for cars and light trucks, and 5–6 inches where an RV, boat trailer, or work truck will park. The base underneath matters as much as the concrete itself — a thick slab on soft ground will still crack. Contractors we work with will spec a compacted base that suits your soil, not a one-size-fits-all number.

Reinforcement is usually a #3 or #4 rebar grid on chairs, or a heavy fiber mesh added to the mix. Both work when done right. Neither works if the rebar is lying on the dirt or the mesh is skipped to save time.

Timeline for a new driveway

Most residential driveways take 2–4 working days on site: one day for excavation and base, one day for forms and steel, one day for the pour, and time for finish and cleanup. You'll stay off the slab for a few days and off it with vehicles for about a week while it cures.

What drives the price

• Square footage. The single biggest factor. Longer runs and wider approaches cost more.
• Thickness and rebar spec. A 6-inch slab with a tight rebar grid costs more than a 4-inch slab with mesh.
• Site prep. Removing an old surface, hauling off dirt, or fixing a bad grade all add labor and dump fees.
• Access. A tight lot, a steep driveway, or a long pump reach adds cost.
• Finish. A standard broom finish is the base price. Stamped or stained work costs more — see our stamped and decorative concrete page.

For real number ranges by size, see our San Antonio concrete driveway cost guide. Every quote we send out is priced to your actual project.

What to expect from the contractor

The contractor we match you with will typically do a site visit before quoting anything beyond a rough range. They should ask about drainage, what vehicles will use the driveway, and whether you want a specific finish. If someone quotes a firm price without seeing the site, that's a flag.