Try DIY Concrete Driveway Project Management!

We hear that our prices are "on the high side" or "you are the highest priced contractors we have talked to so far". The fact of that matter is that Denver Concrete Inc provides a high quality product with a real warranty. This makes our company the highest bid in most cases. With this in mind, our pricing and services are not for everyone. We realize that not every project is a "Denver Concrete Inc" project.

This colored concrete driveway was completed by Denver Concrete Inc in early 2021.

Manage Your Own Concrete Driveway Project

In this post we go over what to look for in your own concrete driveway project so that you have the ability to "manage" your own concrete driveway replacement project. We should begin with explaining how important it is to maintain patience with your hired crew during the entire process. Many homeowners that are managing their very own concrete project for the first time tend to be a little on "edge". Relax... take a minute and understand that leading your crew will lead to the most successful outcome. This is he most important piece of advice that we can give to begin.

This post is not about installing a concrete driveway on your own. We do not have any resources at the time of this post for DIY concrete driveway installation.

Concrete Driveway Project Overview

Since you will be managing this project yourself, you will want to have a few guidelines and checklists along the way. Below is a ghost outline of what to expect for process on concrete driveway replacement project.

Concrete Demolition / Removal Old Driveway:

As the crew begins the project, it starts with demolition. At least for a replacement driveway, this is where the project begins. Most crews will bring in skid steers and other equipment to demolish the existing concrete driveway. Most importantly, the crew should be hauling off the old concrete and reinforcement (if any) for recycling or at the very least the landfill. Your concrete crew should be removing all old concrete. Some remaining broken concrete that they might use for the new base of the new concrete driveway.

Concrete Driveway Base Preparation / Forming New Driveway:

One of the biggest mistakes made in concrete driveway construction in general is a lack of preparation. In this case, you will want to supervise the crew as they excavate the driveway and prepare for the installation of road base. Road base will comprise the base of the new concrete driveway. Have your concrete crew install 4" of compacted road base. This "base" of the new concrete driveway is critical to the outcome of a successful concrete driveway.

While the crew is preparing the base it is typical for them to be working on forms at the same time. Once the crew has placed all the road base into place, they will compact the base. This new base could function as a driveway on its own.

This concrete driveway has been freshly "based" and is formed out as well as reinforced every 1' on center.

Form and Reinforce / New Driveway:

While the concrete crew works on the base reinforcement for the new concrete driveway, they will go to work forming for a new 4" concrete pour (this is the standard, there can be 6" and even thicker pours). It is important to check the forms with string lines to make certain that you are getting a 4" thick pour. Checking these items is easier than you might think. You do not need to even know to check the forms, simply ask your lead foreman to check the forms for 4". They will know to bring out the string lines and show you that they have 4" measurements throughout. If you ever have issues during the project, or parts of this do not make sense, call us! You can reach your concrete expert at Denver Concrete Inc for assistance. Regardless of whether our company is involved in the project, our entire team stands ready to assist!

Take the time to really inspect the forms and reinforcement grid. Your new reinforcement grid should be lifted at 2" above grade using "chairs" or "adobes". This will give you the most tensile strength. If the crew has not met any of your requirements while you are inspecting the forms or reinforcement bar, simply stick blue tape to the areas that you want to address with your concrete contractor.

Pour and Finish / New Driveway:

Once the crew has completed all base preparation and forms and you have had the opportunity to approve them in person, it is time to pour. 

Site Clean Up:

We provide these guidelines and tips so that customers have the ability to work with that "cheaper" crew. We have found that there are numerous talented concrete crews in Denver at very affordable rates. If communication is clear and expectations are translated to the entire crew, there is nothing but success at the end of the project. Every project comes down to communication and planning. With proper planning and communication with all facets of the project, you are sure to have a successful conclusion to your project. Achieving the desired outcome is what any homeowner or project manager is looking for.

Communication is "Mission Critical"

It can be easy to lose your patience during the project. Worse, it can be easy to "settle" for a solution during the project. It is important to continue to always be patient, even if you are watching the biggest of mistakes happen. Remember, you can come back and fix whatever damage is being caused. Continuing to communicate throughout the entire project is "mission critical". If you lose communication, this is when crews "walk out" or worse, you do!

It is common that you will be working with a crew that does not speak English as a first language. This language barrier creates problems for homeowners and project managers alike. Make certain to use tools to break through the language barrier. Google Translate almost translates conversations in real time! With tools like Evernote and Google Translate, there is no reason at all that anyone should blame language as an issue to communication.

Following these five steps with any concrete contractor in Denver should make sense to the contractor and help you complete the project. If you have any questions about your concrete driveway project, give the experts at Denver Concrete Inc a call!