So you’re thinking about extending your driveway.
You’ve never done this sort of thing before—or maybe it’s just been a while since you’ve dabbled in any kind of construction—and you run a quick Google search to find out what it’ll cost to pour some new concrete in the Salt Lake Valley. The results? Anywhere from $4 to $14 per square foot.
That’s a pretty big window. And maybe you’re wondering: Is that even accurate?
(Note: Market values on time and material vary by location and can change quickly—but the story and concepts presented here are relevant to homeowners and direct buyers alike. If you’re trying to make sense of what concrete work should cost, this post is for you.)
Let’s Talk Numbers: Is $4/Sq Ft Even Possible?
At $4 per square foot, you’re looking at something like $3,200 for an 800 square foot, two-car driveway extension.
Sounds great, right?
Miraculous, more like, considering that in the Salt Lake area, concrete alone runs around $225 per yard. That driveway needs about 16 yards, which already puts you at $3,600—and that’s just raw material.
Now add rebar, gravel, base prep, grading, forms, finishers, a trailer, a truck, a compactor, maybe a skid steer—and more importantly, people who actually know what they’re doing—and it’s not long before that $14/sq ft estimate starts to make a lot more sense.
Can You Save Money by Doing Some of the Work Yourself?
If you’re not already equipped, a specialized crew of guys equipped with their own tools and equipment, not to mention expertise and speed, can sometimes afford to do a job at profit for less than you could do it yourself.
If you’ve already bought your materials and handled your own site prep—grading, compaction, setting forms, placing rebar—you might be able to get a crew of finishers to come in for finishing only at $4 per square foot.
They might ask for more, and if they do, don’t be discouraged. Use this as an opportunity to gain some real marketplace insight—what’s their break-even point? What’s fair for both sides?
Because here’s the truth: even if someone agrees to a number that barely covers their crew and time, there’s still a real chance they just won’t show up. When $3,600 worth of wet concrete is on the line, trust matters more than a discount.
Our Story: Gold’s Concrete Hits the Salt Lake Market
Earlier this year, Gold’s Concrete opened shop in the Salt Lake Valley. I’m the sales manager here, and my main role is to qualify buyers and make sure they have the right info to make a good decisions on their purchase.
Business has been slow, as expected, in our first year. But one day, a bid request came across my desk for a driveway extension in West Valley City, and I was determined to win it—even if it meant doing some of the work myself.
I ran the numbers, checked and rechecked material costs, and shaved the margin down to the bone. We weren’t going to hit our normal 30% for general conditions. I knew we might even dip to 20% or 15% or lower. But I wanted that job.
The Job We Didn’t Win
We won the bid. I was thrilled. I collected the deposit from the homeowner and started scheduling.
But then the cracks started to show.
I reached out to our subs and got no response, so I contacted other finishers in the area. Some said they’d look at the offer, some said they’d get back to me. But no commitments. Days went by.
So I recalculated the job again—how would it look if I just did it myself?
Truck, trailer, compactor, rebar, forms, tools, one laborer. The two of us would prep the site. I’d bring in a crew just for the finish. I double-checked every line item. Even factored in fuel and a cup of coffee.
Still I couldn’t make it work. No version of this job was going to come in below the amount I had quoted the homeowner.
I had two choices: push forward and eat the loss (and risk hurting the business), or pull the plug. I chose the latter.
Owning the Mistake — And a Valuable Conversation with the Homeowner
The company owner wasn’t thrilled about having to back out of this. But I knew the risk of proceeding was worse. I reached back out to the homeowner, arranged to meet in person, and returned the deposit.
We had a good conversation. I explained exactly what happened, and he understood. In fact, he shared something important with me.
“It’s not a big deal,” he said. “We’ll probably just go with the next guy we had in mind. They also came in around $9,000. But… what would you need in order to do the job?”
The number I landed on the second time was closer to double what I had originally bid.
I didn’t offer that second number to the homeowner as such because I knew he wasn’t in a position to consider it. But when he told me that no other bids came close to that amount, I listened.
That whole interaction helped me crystalize some important questions.
What Are Concrete Contractors Charging for Flatwork in the Salt Lake Area?
Let’s start with a realistic range (considering it’s for the full scope of work including grade, form, prep, reinforce, pour and finish):
- Low end: $12/sq ft
- High end: $25+/sq ft
- Gold’s Concrete: Currently $18 to $22/sq ft, depending on project scope
That $4/sq ft number floating around online? That’s only achievable if you’ve already done most of the work yourself and you’ve got a reliable finisher willing to take a thin margin.
Why Do Some Companies Charge So Much More?
There are a few key reasons. It boils down to market position and operating model.
Back in the day, Gold’s Concrete could win jobs simply by underbidding. Why? Because the whole operation was just a truck, a trailer, a couple of guys, and some tools. No office. No yard. No marketing team. Low overhead = low prices.
But here’s the catch: that’s not sustainable long-term.
Once we earned a reputation for quality and reliability, demand grew. So we grew. We added equipment, staff, admin support, and infrastructure.
Now we’re a business you can actually count on. But that also means our pricing reflects the true cost of doing good work and staying in business.
The Small Operation vs. The Professional Crew
Let’s compare two very different types of companies:
- The small family outfit, running lean, no office staff, maybe a few guys doing everything. They can afford to underbid… until they can’t. One unexpected expense can wipe out their profit—or worse, your project.
- The professional company (like Gold’s Concrete), with trained employees, systems, insurance, overhead, and a reputation to maintain. You’re not just paying for labor—you’re paying for certainty.
What This Means for Homeowners
Here’s where it gets real practical.
If you’re a homeowner just trying to get a patio poured, your needs are different than someone building a whole house—but the same principle applies.
That patio may be the only major concrete project you do this decade. Don’t you want to know the crew will show up, do it right, and stand by their work? Or, in other words, that your investment will be secure.
That’s the thinking behind choosing a well-established crew. Not just the one that’s cheapest this week.
So, What Should a Homeowner Expect to Pay?
Let’s keep it simple:
- For 800 sq ft of 6” thick driveway, you’ll need about 16 yards of concrete
- At $225 per yard, that’s $3,600 in concrete material
- Multiply that by 3–4x to cover other materials and services such as rebar, labor, equipment, prep, finishing, admin, and business operations
Keep in mind most concrete companies have a minimum of at least $3,600, so the same principle wouldn’t apply to an area smaller than 300 square feet.
Now you’re sitting at a realistic range of $12,000 to $14,000 for the total job—or $15 to $18 per square foot, minimum, if you want it done right.
Final Word: Why Gold’s Concrete Charges What We Charge
We’re currently bidding flatwork projects in Salt Lake at $18 to $22 per square foot, depending on conditions.
We know that’s not the lowest bid you’ll see—and we’re okay with that.
Because we’re not trying to be the cheapest. We’re trying to be the most dependable, the most professional, and the most invested in our clients’ long-term satisfaction.
We believe the value of:
- Showing up when we say we will
- Communicating clearly
- Doing what we promise
- Standing by our work…
…is worth paying a little more for.
And if you believe that too, then Gold’s Concrete is the right crew for you.
Let’s Talk About Your Project
Need a quote? Want to learn more about how we work? Whether you’re ready to pour or just exploring options, we’re here to give you real numbers and honest insight.
Leave a Reply