Short answer
We do not publish prices because two driveways rarely match. What moves the number is the same everywhere: square footage, tearing out old concrete, the soil under the slab, the city permit for work at the street, and the finish you pick. California’s contractor board says to get at least three written bids on the same scope.
Key facts
- Get at least three written bids on identical plans and scope, and beware a bid far below the rest (CSLB)
- A home improvement down payment cannot exceed 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less, with one narrow bond exception (CSLB)
- Shrink-swell ranges from low in Visalia and Hanford to high in most of Woodlake (USDA soil survey)
- All seven cities Tim covers issue encroachment permits for work in the city right-of-way (each city’s website)
Size and tear-out
Square footage sets the amount of concrete and labor. Tearing out an old driveway adds demolition and haul-off before anything new goes in. Tim lists driveway tear-out and replacement first on his service list, so most estimates here start with that question.
The ground under the slab
Soil changes across Tim’s area. We sampled every town with USDA soil survey data. The table shows the main soil in each and how it rates for shrink-swell and for corrosion of concrete. Ground that needs more preparation costs more to prepare.
| Town | Main soil | Shrink-swell by soil | Corrosion of concrete (main soil) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | Flamen (96%) | Flamen moderate, Exeter moderate | Low |
| Visalia | Tagus (48%) | Tagus low, Nord low, Grangeville low, Akers low | Low |
| Tulare | Colpien (52%) | Colpien moderate, Nord low, Flamen moderate, Yettem low | Moderate |
| Lindsay | Exeter (91%) | Exeter moderate, Greenfield low | Low |
| Woodlake | San Joaquin (58%) | San Joaquin high, San Emigdio low, Seville high, Porterville high | Low |
| Hanford | Nord (79%) | Nord low, Wasco low | Low |
| Lemoore | Grangeville (38%) | Grangeville low, Nord low, Lakeside moderate, Lemoore low | High |
Permits at the street
If the work touches the approach, curb or city sidewalk, it is in the public right-of-way. Each city’s encroachment permit has its own paperwork and, in Hanford, a published $365 fee. Each town page links its office.
| City | Office | What the city says |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter | City of Exeter Public Works, 350 W. Firebaugh Ave.(559) 592-3318 | Exeter’s municipal code requires a written permit before anyone cuts the surface of a city street, alley or sidewalk, or digs in the public right-of-way, and the permit has to be in hand at least 24 hours before the cut (Exeter Municipal Code 12.04.010). Source |
| Visalia | City of Visalia Encroachment Permit Office559-713-4339 | The City of Visalia says an encroachment permit must be obtained before performing work within the city’s right-of-way, and lists sidewalks, curbs and gutters among the infrastructure the permit protects. Source |
| Tulare | City of Tulare Engineering Division(559) 684-4213 (inspection line) | The City of Tulare’s Engineering Division issues encroachment permits for work in the city right-of-way. Source |
| Lindsay | City of Lindsay City Services Department, 150 N. Mirage(559) 562-7102 ext. 4 | Lindsay uses one Encroachment/Excavation Permit Application, and driveways and sidewalks are listed on it as work types. Source |
| Woodlake | City of Woodlake Public Works559-564-8055 | Woodlake Public Works maintains city streets and rights-of-way, including curb, gutter and sidewalks. Source |
| Hanford | City of Hanford Utilities and Engineering Department, 900 South 10th Avenue559-585-2500 | Hanford states that all work in the city right-of-way requires an encroachment permit. Source |
| Lemoore | City of Lemoore Public Works, 711 W. Cinnamon Drive(559) 924-6744 ext. 744 | Lemoore’s Public Works encroachment permit covers work in the city road right-of-way and asks for the contractor’s state license number. Source |
Finish and extras
A broom finish is the plain outdoor standard. Stamping, curved borders and decorative bands add labor. RV pads and side yards add area. Ask for each item to be listed separately on the estimate so bids can be compared line by line.
Comparing bids
The Contractors State License Board tells homeowners to compare bids on identical plans, specifications and scope of work, and to be wary of a bid far below the others. It also caps a home improvement down payment at 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, except for contractors with a blanket performance and payment bond on file.
From Tim’s jobs
