Costs and Value of Concrete in Minnesota

Costs and Value of Concrete in Minnesota

Before taking on any construction project, you’ll want an idea of the costs involved. Learn more about the cost and value of concrete in Minnesota!

The Value of Quality Concrete Work

Top-quality concrete is essential whether you’re installing a new driveway at home or a patio at the office. Here’s why you should work with a reputable contractor:

• Durability: High-quality concrete is exceptionally durable — which is important in environments with a harsh climate. In Minnesota, we experience it all, from freezing cold winters to hot and humid summers. With weather like ours, you’ll need top-quality concrete that can withstand wind, humidity and temperature fluctuations. 
• Sustainability: With an average service life of 30-50 years, high-quality concrete structures are built to last. Concrete construction also doesn’t consume much in terms of materials and energy, making it a sustainable option for energy-conscious homeowners or companies. 
• Aesthetics and design possibilities: While concrete may not generally be perceived as particularly aesthetically pleasing, many design possibilities are available. Staining, stamping, polishing, coloring and coating can take the look of concrete up a notch. 
• Maintenance: High-quality concrete is less likely to crack or weaken over time than poor-quality concrete. You likely won’t have to conduct much maintenance, which helps save money and time. 

Factors Influencing Concrete Costs

Now that we’ve established the importance of quality concrete, we can look at the factors influencing costs. 

Type of Project 

Perhaps the biggest cost consideration is the type of project: 

• Driveways: Concrete driveways are typically more expensive than asphalt or gravel driveways but much more affordable than brick or cobblestone driveways. Considering how long they last, you may find the price tag well worth it. 
• Sidewalks: The cost of concrete sidewalks largely depends on their length and shape. A longer sidewalk means more square footage of concrete, resulting in higher costs. You may also see increased costs if you want to add stairs leading up to your home or business. 
• Patios: If you enjoy spending Minnesota summers outside or want to install an outdoor gathering place at the office, a concrete patio makes an excellent surface for furniture, grills, pergolas and firepits. Patios are often enhanced with stains, stamps or epoxy coatings, but keep in mind that these aesthetic improvements will likely raise costs. 
• Basements: Concrete foundations are fire-resistant and easy to maintain. Plus, with the option to add pigments or polishes, you can add an additional living space to your home with a concrete basement. 
• Garage floors: Garage floors get dirty — especially on those snowy days — and a surface that’s easy to clean is a major benefit. As long as they’re adequately sealed, concrete floors are nonporous, making cleaning simple. 

Size and Complexity of Project

A large or complicated project typically costs more than a small or simple project. For example, a large two-car driveway or a long and twisty sidewalk will likely cost more than a 6-by-8-foot patio. The size and complexity of a project also impact labor costs. Projects requiring more detailed work result in higher labor costs. 

Concrete Finish Options

The following decorative finish options can increase concrete project costs:

• Staining: Water- or acid-based stains can give concrete a glossy finish or a rich color. 
• Stamping: Contractors can make your concrete sidewalk or patio mimic stone or brick with stamping techniques. 
• Coloring: Adding pigment to the concrete mix makes the color part of the concrete, resulting in a rich and beautiful tone. 

While decorative finishes may result in higher upfront costs, the enhanced aesthetic value is well worth it for many homeowners and businesses. 

Material and Transportation Costs

The combination of cement, water and aggregates lend immense durability and versatility to concrete. However, the ratio of these ingredients impacts costs. For example, if your project requires an extra strong concrete mix with a higher-than-average percentage of cement, the pound per square inch (PSI) rating increases, thus increasing the concrete cost per square foot. 

You’ll also have to consider the cost of delivery. While buying premixed concrete by the bag from a home improvement store may seem cost-effective, it typically only works for small-scale projects — you’ll need multiple bags to cover a small area. For large projects like driveways or complex projects like stamped concrete patios, you’ll likely want to work with a contractor and order wet concrete by the truckload. Then, you can leave the pouring to the professionals. 

Factors impacting concrete delivery costs include:

• The distance the truck needs to travel.
• Whether you need a full truckload of cement or a short load. 
• If you can place a bulk order for a large commercial project.
• Fuel surcharges to account for fluctuating diesel costs. 
• Whether your delivery date is a weekend or holiday. 

Location Within Minnesota and Time of Year

Geographic differences can also influence costs. In regions where the cost of living is higher, for example, concrete projects can be more expensive. Material availability and demand are also factors to consider. Additionally, taking on a construction project during the Minnesota winter can result in higher costs because the contractor will have to take extra steps to protect the concrete and prevent it from freezing while it cures. 

Commercial Concrete Costs

Because commercial construction projects are often larger and more complex, businesses can expect their concrete project costs to be somewhat higher. However, you can still use the above table to estimate the cost of your Minnesota project. 

Get a Free Quote for Your Minnesota Concrete Project From idcAutomatic

Excellent customer service and superior work are core principles of idcAutomatic — and have been since we began providing top-quality garage doors to Minnesota residents and businesses in 1974. More recently, we’ve acquired a Minneapolis concrete company, so you can also rely on us for beautiful concrete construction work. 

Whether revamping your residential property, enhancing your commercial property or exploring decorative concrete options, you can count on idcAutomatic. Contact us today with questions, or request an estimate to get your project started!