The Short Answer
Most concrete driveway projects in Fairfax County land between $5,000 and $15,000. A standard two-car driveway replacement usually sits in the middle of that range. Small patios and repairs cost less; big decorative jobs and difficult sites cost more. Treat every number here as a starting point — your written estimate, after someone walks your property, is the real number.
What Moves the Price
- Size. Concrete is priced by the square foot, so a three-car driveway or a long rural-style drive costs more than a standard two-car. Length times width is the first number in any quote.
- Tear-out. Replacing an old driveway means breaking up the old concrete, hauling it away, and disposing of it. That adds real labor and dump fees a brand-new pour does not have.
- The ground. Fairfax's marine clay sometimes needs extra excavation or a thicker stone base. Sites with poor drainage or soft spots cost more to prepare. A contractor who prices this without looking at your soil is guessing.
- Access. A truck needs to get the concrete to the forms. Tight lots, steep slopes, and long carries from the street add labor.
- Thickness and steel. Four inches is the residential minimum; thicker slabs and rebar where heavy vehicles park cost more and last longer.
- Finish. Plain broom-finish is the baseline. Stamped, colored, or exposed-aggregate finishes add material and labor — usually 30 to 50 percent more than plain.
- The apron and permits. Work where your driveway meets the street can trigger Fairfax County or VDOT permit requirements, which add fees and time.
Cost per Square Foot: A Reality Check
You will see per-square-foot numbers online. They are fine for a first guess, but no two driveways have the same tear-out, access, or soil. A per-foot number from a website cannot see your property. Use them to spot a quote that is wildly out of line — not to budget the job.
Repair and Resurfacing Cost Less
If your slab is structurally sound, repair or resurfacing can run a fraction of replacement. Our repair vs. replace guide helps you decide which path your driveway qualifies for.
How to Compare Quotes
Get at least two written quotes and make sure they describe the same job: slab thickness, PSI, base depth, joint spacing, and whether tear-out and permits are included. A quote that skips the base prep will always look cheaper — and cost you the driveway years earlier. Our contractor-choosing guide lists the exact questions to ask.
Get a Real Number
Send us the contact form, and we will come out, measure, check your soil and drainage, and give you a written quote. Free, no pressure.