Start with the site, not a price per square foot
Square-foot pricing can be a rough comparison tool, but it rarely tells the whole story. Access, demolition, excavation, grade, drainage, base requirements and finish complexity can materially change the scope.
A useful estimate should state what is included below the finished surface and how changes will be handled—not just the total number.
The biggest cost drivers
The choices below tend to have more impact than small decorative upgrades. Ask each contractor to describe them in the same level of detail so proposals can be compared fairly.
- Equipment access and distance from the street
- Removal and disposal of existing material
- Excavation, base and drainage requirements
- Slab geometry, steps, borders and multiple elevations
- Broom, colored, stamped or specialty finish systems
Compare scope before price
Two bids can look similar while including very different preparation, reinforcement, finish and cleanup. Compare written scope line by line and ask for clarification before selecting a contractor.
The final recommendation should come from the actual property, written scope and contractor—not a generic article.