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Cement companies often charge a per-cubic-yard cost for concrete, which averages around $130. In most cases, you can also expect to pay for leveling, surfacing, and add-on services, like stamping concrete. Here are some typical prices for common concrete projects for which you may hire a cement company.

• Walkway: $1,800

• Driveway: $2,800

• Standard patio: $3,300

• Stamped concrete patio: $4,000

• Concrete steps: $3,500

• Colored concrete: $3,800

You might also need to budget for removing your old concrete or additional land prep before your professional can pour concrete.

You should place a layer of thick landscaping fabric directly over the concrete slab and then a thin layer of leveling sand over that to protect the pavers from moisture. For border pavers, you should plan on locking them in place with polyurethane adhesive. This will prevent them from shifting under foot traffic.

The average ROI you’ll see from a deck or a concrete patio is 70%, so from a value-add perspective, they’re about the same. However, decks are around double the price of a concrete patio, they require significantly more maintenance, and they have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, about half of what you’d see from a concrete patio. As such, a concrete patio is a better option in terms of up-front cost, long-term maintenance, and ROI.

Concrete should be at least 4 inches thick for steps. This thickness boosts stability and prevents cracking and deterioration. After you’ve built your forms out of wood, fill the void with a sand or gravel base for concrete. Use an all-purpose concrete mix to form your steps. After pouring your concrete steps, be sure to screed and float the concrete.