Looking for some input/guidance from the BI board for an upcoming project. Early next year we're planning to remove two power poles and run electrical underground from the back of the property. After that, we're going to expand our driveway, I'm conservatively estimating an additional 1,500 sq ft.

1) I'm not very familiar at all with concrete projects. What should I be looking for in the process of getting bids/quotes and also during the framing/pouring itself to help make sure the job is done right? Any inputs on materials themselves?

2) We have sidewalk from the front porch to nowhere at the moment. While we're doing all this, we're looking at our options with the sidewalk. We currently have 2 options on the table. 1) we just extend the new driveway extension to make it down to the sidewalk and then the tie the sidewalk in to the new drive. I'm not a big fan of this because nobody would really park in the front because of the road width unless it's just a single car stopping by. there's also another ~700ft of drive so it might look weird to randomly stop the concrete in the middle. 2) we re-route the sidewalk (blue outlines below) to the new driveway extension. The only downside to this is we already have a crushed granite path from the existing driveway to the front porch (outlined in red) but I think it makes sense to just take that out and make it landscaping or more yard. Any thoughts or other options we should consider?

Where are you located? I can get chat more with you about this and get you a bid. Send me an email.

markRmiller89@gmail.com

I would prefer you did this via a local homebuilder w/5-star reviews if you have no engineer friends for referrals that have inspected such projects prior. That said, I can email you Brazos Co flatwork specifications we employ, even though they may be overkill, should your supporting soils be more docile.

I would talk to your UPS or larger truck deliverymen about turn around space for them while you digest my design suggestion here. UPS will use the front walk, as will future guests and even family as cars are added in years to come.

The circles are large precast conc. stepping circles placed within EZ walking strides for all ages that simply move some gravel away to be about same height as gravel. Flatwork is very expensive these days! Gravel work looks good; waste not want not.

Please update us with finished product photos someday.

Austin County, not sure if you work that area?

Thanks for the input. I'll be reaching out to a handful of people for recommendations for local contractors but that's not always fool proof which is why I'm trying to atleast do a bit of self education first. I already have an electrician I've been happy with so it's more the concrete side of things.

Just to clarify, my picture was a rough drawing but the drive will actually be larger than what I drew. It should add about 45ft of depth to the existing drive. Good point on the delivery people. Turnaround shouldn't be an issue for them, they already do that in the space we'll be paving but good consideration on the sidewalk.

And I would appreciate any specs you may have.

If it were my place, I'd use two "parallel parking spaces" to connect the existing sidewalk to the existing road. That way you can have two vehicles parked there, don't have to remove anything, and traffic will still be able to get by when you have guests over, or the kids start driving. Call it a "grand entrance" if your wife needs convincing.

Bumping for any input on materials themselves I.e concrete psi, thickness, rebar, base layer etc…

I am afraid of that bid amount. I had a small amount of concrete done during the vid and I was surprised.

16" OC, #3 or #4 rebar, 4-6" of concrete, 3500 PSI; make sure sub grade is compacted..

Project $8/sf for budgeting purposes to prepare yourself. Any demo or more out of the ordinary excavation would increase that number.

MS08 said:

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16" OC, #3 or #4 rebar, 4-6" of concrete, 3500 PSI; make sure sub grade is compacted..

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Agree with this, though I would caveat that we pour driveways at 6" and 3,000 PSI.

Another post mentioned the beam at road and sould suggest beam on any edge (exterior or interior joint) if you are going to be parking a good ol boy truck or if you are planning to ever have heavy stuff on a trailer parked on it.

Its a bit overkill but it may save you some headache down the road for just the costs of some extra digging and some extra concrete.

What spec should the subgrade be compacted to?

The EZ answer, although sheepsfoot rollers might be needed


The something-to-Google answer would be ala
+/- 90% Proctor (density)
Also reference your local County Engineer's office for the specifications they demand prior to accepting a developer's road for adoption & care forever.

That said, private residential drives are lucky to get any compaction at all other than a bunch of heavy traffic, then concrete (waste) slurry, limestone, et al. toppings pressed down again with heavy traffic then maybe concrete/asphalt .... if budget allows or ACC requires them

Exactly what I was going to suggest. Would look great!

Well she's finally done after a few months of waiting. Took about a week of work before we poured all in one day. Came out to just under 4000 sq ft. I upped it to 5" and 1/2" rebar. Only ended up with one stress crack where the sprinklers couldn't quite get to so not a big surprise. Overall very happy. Price came in at just over $27,000 so about $6.75/sq ft.

During the excavation phase we discovered the original owner had just covered up a sewer clean out smack dab in the middle of everything. I decided I could handle the plumbing myself but boy was I sweating bullets. I bet I re-measured that thing 35 times the night before the pour and didn't sleep until about 2am. Thankfully it was pretty much spot on!

https://imgur.com/a/csEEb8B

https://imgur.com/a/RcziCmK