Concrete Driveway Repair Cost by Square Footage
The average driveway in the U.S. is 640 square feet, but most repairs only involve a small section. In the best-case scenario, you’ll only have to repair a few minor cracks. In the worst-case scenario, you’re looking at replacing your whole driveway.
| Repair Process | Cost Per Square or Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Filling minor cracks | $0.10 – $0.15 per lin. ft. |
| Driveway resurfacing | $3 – $5 per sq. ft. |
| Raising or leveling concrete | $3 – $25 per sq. ft. |
| Replacing damaged concrete slabs | $6 – $14 per sq. ft. |
| Installing rebar or wire mesh | $1 – $3 per sq. ft. |
| New driveway installation | $4 – $15 per sq. ft. |
| Resealing a concrete driveway | $0.10 – $0.16 per sq. ft. |
Concrete Driveway Repair Cost by Repair Type
Since concrete wears in different ways, there are different types of driveway repairs. If you’re weighing whether to repair or replace your cracked driveway, it’s important to look at the projected cost.
Fixing Cracks
According to HomeAdvisor, a professional will charge as little as $300 to fix minor concrete cracks, but most homeowners can do the job on their own with a rubber or synthetic crack filler. This costs about $0.10 to $0.15 per linear foot—but watch out if cracks are larger than 1/8 of an inch. Larger concrete driveway cracks could signal deeper structural issues that require serious repairs. You’ll want to hire a professional to diagnose the problem.
Patching Potholes
You can patch potholes with a DIY concrete patch kit from your local hardware store. This costs $10 to $150, but a professional will do the job for as little as $300.
Resealing Concrete
Sealing a concrete driveway may be able to repair small cracks and chips. Expect to spend $0.10 to $0.16 per square foot to seal your concrete driveway, or around $60 to $100 for the average 640-square foot driveway.
Leveling Uneven or Sunken Concrete
According to HomeAdvisor, concrete leveling costs an average of $950. It’s usually done by pumping materials (like sand, dirt, or foam) under the concrete slab to raise it. The repair types are:
| Repair Type | How Long It Lasts | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mudjacking: uses a slurry of dirt, concrete, and water | Up to 10 years | $3 – $6 per sq. ft. |
| Sandjacking: uses a slurry of sand, concrete, and water | Up to 10 years | $3 – $7 per sq. ft. |
| Foam jacking: uses polyurethane foam | Lasts longer and cures faster than other options | $5 – $25 per sq. ft. |
If it’s in the budget, foam jacking is largely regarded as the best option for driveway leveling because it performs well under load-bearing concrete surfaces.
Resurfacing Concrete Driveway
Concrete resurfacing is essentially putting a thin concrete cap on your old driveway to make it look new. At $3 to $5 per square foot, it’s more cost-effective than replacing a damaged slab. Concrete driveway resurfacing costs $1,920 to $3,200 for the average 640-square foot driveway, but it could cost twice that to resurface stamped or decorative concrete.
Removing and Replacing Damaged Concrete Slab
Sometimes, a portion of your driveway’s concrete is too damaged to repair—whether it’s sunken, uneven, or has deep cracks. In this case, you may need to replace the whole slab. You’ll have to:
Remove the old concrete slab, which costs about $2–$6 per sq. ft. including labor
Pour a new concrete slab for about $4–$8 per sq. ft. including labor
Installing a Rebar or Wire Mesh
Sometimes, your driveway cracks because it needs more support. In this case, a contractor will install a rebar or wire mesh. According to HomeAdvisor, this adds $1 to $3 per square foot to the cost of replacing the concrete slabs.
Installing a New Concrete Driveway
In some cases, hiring a professional to install a concrete driveway costs less than repairs. Most concrete driveway installation costs $1,800 to $6,000. You’re also looking at an additional $2 to $6 per square foot to demolish and remove your old driveway.
Concrete Driveway Repair Cost Factors
The costs of a driveway repair can be split into two parts: materials/equipment and labor, with the latter accounting for about half the costs. In addition, the biggest factor that influences the cost of a concrete driveway repair is the type of damage. Beyond that, decorative extras—like staining or decorative stamps—can significantly raise the cost. Repairing a stamped concrete driveway will cost more than a regular driveway as well.
Materials and Equipment
Concrete itself costs about $3 to $4 per square foot, but that can quickly rise with a decorative overlay. The gravel base costs $10 to $90 per cubic yard. Though it’s worked into your estimate, the tools and equipment your contractor will use costs around $300.
Labor
You’ll pay $2 to $3 per square foot for concrete work, though your contractor may charge a project minimum for a small job like patching a pothole.
Extent of Damage
The more serious the damage to the concrete, the more it’ll cost to repair. Structural repairs cost far more than filling small cracks and potholes.
Driveway Size
Concrete is priced by square foot (or cubic yard if you get it directly from the manufacturer). The more concrete you need to use during your repairs, the larger the cost.
Concrete Grade
The strength of concrete is dependent on its grade. The higher the grade, the more durability there is. Unfortunately, higher-grade concrete also comes with a higher cost.
Optional Features
Optional features like staining and stamping set your driveway apart from the basic greige, but they come at a price. Replacing slabs or resurfacing a stained or stamped concrete driveway can cost $4 to $15 per square foot. The actual repair cost depends on the type of stamp or stain.
Cost to Repair a Concrete Driveway Yourself vs. Hiring a Professional
Homeowners can make their own minor concrete repairs, which will save them the cost of labor. You can fix a small pothole with a concrete repair patch kit for $10 to $150 or purchase a self-leveling crack sealer for less than $10 a tube.
For any other repairs, hire a professional driveway contractor. Concrete driveways have a lot of layers, and a professional will know which repairs are necessary, which type of concrete will hold up best, and what issues are a symptom of a larger problem.
