Flapjack
I been in concrete for awhile. It's all in how much you want to spend, and the finishing of the concrete. You can buy various strengths usually 3000psi exterior is used. You can go 2500, 3000, 3500, all the way to 5000psi. You can have fiber mixed in, you can lay down 10/10 wire, or rebar.
There are different colors you can add to the concrete, stamps, textures, antiquing. How pretty do you want it to look, and how much money do you have?
Some of the keys to making the concrete last is. Don't let your finisher pour it too wet, Ideal is a 5" slump. The more water added to the mix the more you dilute the cement content.(cement content is where a lot of the strength comes from.
Where ever your new driveway joins existing concrete. Drill holes and insert 1/2" rebar to minimize the settling of the new concrete.
Exterior concrete has to have expansion. You can do it pretty with the joint tool. You can cut a 2" deep groove with a concrete saw. You can also use whats called expansion joint. This is really just a controlled crack, cause it's going to crack sooner or later you are just giving a place to crack vs. it cracking all over the place.
Keep the concrete moist the couple days after is poured. Keep cars off it I recommend 4-5 days.
The strength rating concrete is achieved over time. For example a residential 3000psi is designed to make 3000psi in 56 days. It can get to it sooner but that's just the way it's designed.
As for price every area is different you should expect to pay $100-$125 per cubic yard on c.o.d. price. for someone to come in and tear out and pour new expect about $5.00 per square foot plus what ever else they charge.
Let me know if there is anything else I could answer for you. I'll be happy to write another book for you.
When the building boom was going on, it was easy to find someone. Now only the good survive.
I whined and complained and got another gallon just to finish the job. It's been several years and probably needs to be done again. The Sun really takes it's toll on things.
