How to Compare Concrete Quotes (Checklist)

Short answer: Every written concrete quote should state five things: thickness, concrete strength (psi), base (what’s under the slab and how deep), reinforcement, and control-joint layout. If two quotes don’t specify the same five, you’re not comparing the same driveway or patio, and the cheaper one may simply be thinner.

By Concrete Pros Greenville SC Editorial Team · Last reviewed October 2026 · How we research

In this guide

• The five things every quote should state
• The full spec checklist
• Red flags
• How many quotes?
• Questions to ask in person

Print this page or keep it open when contractors visit. It works for driveways, patios, walks and slabs.

The five things every quote should state

Item	What good looks like	Why it matters
Thickness	At least 4 in for driveways and patios; 5–6 in for heavy vehicles; thickened edges	Thickness drives load capacity more than strength
Strength	At least 4,000 psi for driveways, about 6% air, water-cement ratio below 0.50	Durability and freeze-thaw resistance
Base	Compacted subgrade, soft spots replaced, stone base (depth stated)	Most cracking and sinking start below the slab
Reinforcement	Wire mesh for 4–5 in slabs; #4 rebar on about a 12 in grid at 5 in and up	Holds cracks together; fibers aren’t structural
Joints	Control joints no more than 10 ft apart on a 4 in slab, cut 1/4 of the depth; isolation joints at the garage, walks and house	Controls where it cracks

Sources: Concrete Network’s driveway installation essentials and mix guidance; HomeGuide’s driveway thickness guidance.

The full spec checklist

Tick each item off on every quote you receive:

• ☐ Demolition and haul-off of old concrete (if any)
• ☐ Excavation and grading
• ☐ Base material and compacted depth
• ☐ Slab thickness, including thickened edges
• ☐ Concrete strength (psi), air content, and “no water added on site”
• ☐ Reinforcement type and spacing
• ☐ Control-joint layout (ask for a sketch) and isolation joints
• ☐ Slope and drainage direction (at least 1/8 inch per foot away from buildings for driveways)
• ☐ Finish (broom, stamped, exposed aggregate, color)
• ☐ Curing method and how long before you can walk and drive on it
• ☐ Sealing: included or not, and when
• ☐ Permits: who pulls them, and the apron if you’re on a county road
• ☐ License: SC LLR registration or license number
• ☐ Insurance: liability and workers’ compensation certificates
• ☐ Schedule, weather plan and cleanup
• ☐ Payment schedule (deposit, progress, final)
• ☐ Written warranty: what it covers and for how long

Red flags

• A single lump-sum price with no thickness, base or reinforcement listed.
• Large cash deposits before materials arrive.
• No license number, or one that doesn’t show up on the SC LLR licensee lookup.
• “We’ll add a little water to make it easier to work.” That weakens the concrete.
• No joint plan (“we’ll cut them where they look right”).
• Pressure to sign today or a price that is far below every other quote.
• No written warranty.

How many quotes?

For a driveway or patio, two or three written quotes are usually enough to see where prices sit. More than that rarely helps if the quotes aren’t specified the same way. Use the checklist above to make them comparable.

Want a quote you can check against this list? Request a free quote and ask the contractor to fill in every line.

Questions to ask in person

1. What thickness, psi and base do you recommend for my use, and why?
2. Where will the joints go?
3. How will you handle drainage and our red clay?
4. Who pulls the permit, and do I need an asphalt apron?
5. How will you cure it, and what’s the plan if it’s very hot, cold or wet on pour day?
6. What does your warranty cover, in writing?

For cost benchmarks, see our concrete driveway cost guide, stamped concrete cost guide and garage floor coating costs.

Sources

• Concrete Network: concrete driveway installation essentials — thickness, reinforcement, joints, slope, curing.
• Concrete Network: concrete driveway mix tips — 4,000 psi, air content, water-cement ratio, no added water.
• HomeGuide: concrete driveway cost (2026) — thickness and edges, questions to ask.
• SC LLR licensee lookup — license verification.
• Greenville County driveway installation guidelines — asphalt apron rule.