What a concrete proposal is for
Most homeowners have never thought about concrete thickness or reinforcement; they just want a driveway that does not crack. Three options on the same area show what a thicker slab or a decorative finish adds, and let them choose on looks and life instead of the lowest number.
What to put on a concrete proposal
- The same area and removal in each.
- Thickness and reinforcement differences.
- Finish and sealer options.
- Warranty differences.
- One acceptance line.
A worked example
The same 480 sq ft driveway. Slab and mesh lines use the calculator's typical prices; the upgrades are yours to price.
Option 1: Good: standard broom finish. Four-inch slab with mesh and sawed joints.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway, 4 in * | 480 | sq ft | $13.50 | $6,480.00 |
| Wire mesh reinforcement * | 480 | sq ft | $0.35 | $168.00 |
| Remove and haul old driveway | 480 | sq ft | Your price |
Option 2: Better: thicker reinforced slab. Thicker slab with rebar for heavy vehicles.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway, thicker slab * | 480 | sq ft | $13.50 | $6,480.00 |
| Rebar reinforcement | 480 | sq ft | Your price | |
| Remove and haul old driveway | 480 | sq ft | Your price |
Option 3: Best: stamped and sealed. Stamped pattern with color and sealer.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway, 4 in * | 480 | sq ft | $13.50 | $6,480.00 |
| Wire mesh reinforcement * | 480 | sq ft | $0.35 | $168.00 |
| Stamped and colored finish | 480 | sq ft | Your price | |
| Concrete sealer | 480 | sq ft | Your price | |
| Remove and haul old driveway | 480 | sq ft | Your price |
Explain in each note what the customer gets: standard, stronger for trucks, or decorative. That is what they choose between.
* Typical price from our free driveway cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items concrete contractors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete flatwork, placed and finished | sq ft | Thickness, finish (broom, smooth, stamped) and mix strength. |
| Remove and haul old concrete | sq ft | Breakout, loading and disposal. |
| Excavation and grading | sq ft | To the depth for base and slab. |
| Gravel base, compacted | cu yd | Depth of base. |
| Reinforcement, mesh or rebar | sq ft | Say which and the spacing for rebar. |
| Control joints, sawed or tooled | ft | Where cracks are encouraged to form. |
| Expansion joint at house or slab | ft | Where new meets existing. |
| Stamped or colored finish | sq ft | Pattern and color; sealer included or not. |
| Concrete sealer | sq ft | Applied after curing. |
| Steps, formed and poured | each | Per step; width and rise. |
| Footings | ft | Width and depth per plan or code. |
| Pump truck | each | When the truck cannot reach the pour. |
| Permit and inspection | each | Driveways and approaches often need one; check locally. |
Terms and deposit language for concrete
- Deposit. A deposit at signing schedules the pour and covers forming materials. Deposit limits for home improvement work differ from state to state, so confirm yours.
- Payment. Balance due on the day of the pour or when forms are stripped, as agreed.
- Warranty. Concrete cracks; control joints guide where. Say what you warrant (such as heaving, scaling or settling beyond a set amount) and what you do not (hairline cracks, damage from salt or heavy trucks).
- Pour dates depend on weather and temperature; say how a rain day is handled.
- Keep cars off a new driveway for the curing time you advise.
- Sprinkler lines, invisible dog fences and buried cables in the dig area are the owner's to mark.
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Check each option's name, its one-line difference and its lines.
- Add your prices; each option totals on its own.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print it, download it, or send it from Koira so the customer can pick and sign on the phone.
Free tools for concrete
- Driveway cost calculator
- Epoxy flooring cost calculator
- Demolition cost calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same proposal for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.