Installed cost per square foot
| Work | Typical national range (installed) |
|---|---|
| Plain broom-finish driveway | $6–$12 per sq ft |
| Stamped concrete | $12–$25 per sq ft |
| Exposed aggregate | +$3–$8 per sq ft over plain |
| Integral color | +$2–$6 per sq ft over plain |
| Patio, plain to custom | $5–$18 per sq ft |
| Slab or pad | $4–$12 per sq ft |
| Sidewalk or walkway | $6–$14 per sq ft |
| Retaining wall (concrete) | $20–$60 per sq ft of wall face |
| Removal of old concrete | $2–$6 per sq ft |
| Resurfacing overlay | $3–$9 per sq ft; decorative $6–$20 |
| Mudjacking / leveling | $3–$8 per sq ft |
| Sealing (with labor) | $1.35–$2.50 per sq ft |
These are installed prices (labor and materials), not material costs. Ranges are wide because they cover everything from easy flat lots to tight backyards.
Worked examples
| Job | Size | At the national range |
|---|---|---|
| Two-car driveway, plain | 20 × 24 ft = 480 sq ft | $2,880–$5,760 |
| Same, tear-out first | 480 sq ft removal | +$960–$2,880 |
| Backyard patio, plain to custom | 14 × 20 ft = 280 sq ft | $1,400–$5,040 |
| Stamped patio | 16 × 20 ft = 320 sq ft | $3,840–$8,000 |
| Shop floor | 30 × 40 ft = 1,200 sq ft | $4,800–$14,400 |
| Front walk | 4 × 40 ft = 160 sq ft | $960–$2,240 |
This is multiplication, not a quote. Use it to spot a number that is far out of line, then ask the contractor what explains the difference. More detail on slabs is in the concrete slab cost guide.
What pushes a Boise quote up or down
- Digging. Caliche hardpan on the river terraces can slow excavation for base and footings; soft or wet river-bottom soils may need more base.
- Thickness and mix. Thicker slabs and air-entrained, higher-strength mixes for freeze-thaw cost more per square foot and last longer.
- Tear-out and haul-off. Old concrete or asphalt has to go somewhere.
- Access. A truck that can back up to the forms is cheaper than a pump or wheelbarrows through a side gate.
- Finish. Stamped, colored and exposed aggregate each add labor and materials.
- Right-of-way work. Approach or public sidewalk work in Ada County needs ACHD approval and a permit holder licensed and bonded for it.
- Season. Late-fall pours may need protection from overnight freezing.
- Size. Small jobs carry setup costs and minimums, so they cost more per square foot.
Comparing quotes
Line the quotes up by scope: thickness, mix (and whether it's air-entrained), base depth and material, reinforcement, joint layout, finish, sealer, tear-out, haul-off, permits and cleanup. A quote that's much lower usually leaves something out. In Idaho, a residential job over $2,000 also comes with the Idaho Code 45-525 disclosure, and the contractor must be registered with the Idaho Contractors Board; check at dopl.idaho.gov.
Back to the main guide: Boise concrete contractors.