Concrete Driveways in Seattle: Planning Your Quote
Seattle ConcreteCONTRACTORS
(206) 566-0528
Planning a new or replacement concrete driveway in Seattle? Here’s how we approach it, what affects the price, and what to send for a quote.
- Removal and haul-away of the old driveway
- Compacted gravel base and reinforcement
- Apron and curb cut permits handled with SDOT
Get a driveway quote in Seattle
Tell us about the project. We’ll call or email to talk it through.
Concrete Driveways for Seattle properties
A concrete driveway is mostly what you can’t see: the base under it, the thickness, the steel, and how it sheds water. The surface finish is the easy part. Most of the driveways we’re asked to replace in Seattle failed from underneath, on thin slabs poured over soft soil, or where water from the roof and the street ran under the edge for years.
Craftsman bungalows, Tudors, and mid-century houses with original concrete are common, alongside new townhomes and backyard cottages (DADUs) that need new slabs and walks. We work across Ballard, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, West Seattle, Rainier Valley, Lake City and Northgate.
Full replacement
Break out the old slab, haul it away, rebuild the base, and pour a new driveway with a better slope and joints.
New driveways
New homes, DADUs and lot changes that need a fresh drive or parking pad, sometimes off an alley.
Steep driveways
Seattle’s hills mean steep drives. Broom or textured finishes, careful joint layout and drains at the bottom keep them usable in winter.
Seattle conditions that affect your driveway
Slope and access
Queen Anne, Magnolia, West Seattle, Capitol Hill and the slopes above Lake Washington have steep driveways and stepped yards. Parts of the city are mapped as steep-slope or landslide-prone environmentally critical areas (ECAs), which brings extra SDCI review for grading and walls.
Soil and settling
Soils change block to block: dense glacial till on many ridges, softer fill and old wetland soils in lower areas like parts of the Duwamish valley, Interbay and around the lakes. A slab that keeps sinking usually points to a soft or wet base.
Sidewalks and the right-of-way
In Seattle, the owner of the lot next to a sidewalk is generally responsible for keeping it in repair. Work in the sidewalk, planting strip, curb, or driveway apron is in the public right-of-way and goes through SDOT.
Details that help us price your driveway in Seattle
You don’t need answers to all of these. They’re the questions that shape the design and the price.
Rough size
Length and width, or a photo from the street with a car in it for scale.
Old slab
Is there concrete or asphalt to remove? Photos of cracks and sunken areas help.
Slope
Does the drive run up or down to the garage? Where does water go when it rains hard?
Vehicles
Daily cars only, or also trucks, an RV or a delivery van?
Apron and sidewalk
Does the job include the apron, curb or sidewalk? That’s right-of-way work.
Finish
Broom, exposed aggregate, color or stamped borders.
Options to talk through
| Finish | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Broom finish | Most driveways, and the default on steep slopes | Best traction wet or dry; plain look |
| Exposed aggregate | Hiding tire marks, leaf stains and moss | Textured and grippy; needs sealing |
| Integral color | Softening the look and glare | Color runs through the slab; new color won’t match old concrete exactly |
| Stamped | Front-of-house curb appeal | Needs resealing every few years and slip-resistant sealer on slopes |
Permits for concrete driveways in Seattle
In Seattle, adding or replacing 750 sq ft or more of paving generally needs an SDCI grading permit. Smaller patios and walks often don’t. Anything in the sidewalk, planting strip, curb or driveway apron is right-of-way work that needs an SDOT permit. Check SDCI’s permit guide for your address.
Planning a new driveway in Seattle?
Call to talk it through, or send a few details and photos.
What concrete driveways typically cost in the Seattle area
Ballpark numbers help you plan a budget before anyone visits. Use them as a starting point, not a promise.
| Finish | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Broom finish | $6–$10 per sq ft |
| Exposed aggregate | $8–$13 per sq ft |
| Integral color | $8–$14 per sq ft |
| Stamped | $10–$18 per sq ft |
Typical market ranges, not a quote from Seattle Concrete Contractors. These are ranges other Seattle-area concrete contractors publish for this work (Seattle Concrete (seattleconcrete.com) service pages, checked November 2026). Your price depends on size, access, removal, base work, finish and permits, and on conditions at your Seattle property. We give a written quote after we understand the job.
Concrete Driveways in Seattle: quick answers
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
Most residential driveways are poured thicker than patios, with reinforcement and thickened edges. The right thickness depends on the base, the soil and what will drive on it, which is why we look at the site first.
When can I drive on a new driveway?
Foot traffic after a day or two and cars after about a week in mild weather. Heavy trucks should wait longer. Cold, wet weather slows curing.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Seattle?
Replacing 750 sq ft or more of paving generally needs an SDCI grading permit, and any work on the apron, curb cut or sidewalk needs an SDOT permit.
Do I need a permit for concrete work in Seattle?
It depends on the job. SDCI generally requires a grading permit when you add or replace 750 sq ft or more of paving, and walls taller than 4 ft measured from the bottom of the footing need a permit. Anything in the sidewalk, planting strip or driveway apron is right-of-way work that goes through SDOT.
Learn more about concrete driveways
See the full concrete driveways guide, or all concrete services in Seattle.
Tell us about your project
A few photos and rough measurements are enough to start. If you’re not sure what the job needs, describe the problem and we’ll talk it through.
Call (206) 566-0528 or use the quote form at the top of this page.
Find us on Google Maps
Seattle Concrete Contractors | (206) 566-0528 | Seattle, WA