Concrete you can drive, walk and build on in Dickinson, ND

It depends mostly on the size, how much digging and base work the ground needs, and the finish you choose. Tearing out an old slab or choosing stamped or colored concrete adds to it, while a plain finish keeps it lower. Your estimate spells out what's included, so you can see where the money goes.

You can usually walk on it before you can drive on it, and I'll give you the dates when we pour. That wait is curing, the time new concrete needs to gain strength before it takes a load. When we pour depends on the forecast and on permits, which we check with the City of Dickinson before we start.

A good estimate spells out the digging, base, thickness, steel, finish and cleanup, plus what isn't included. Ours does, so when other bids come in you're comparing the same work. If one bid is much lower, check which of those lines is missing.

Mostly by clearing the spot and a path to it, moving vehicles, planters and toys so our crew and the truck can get in. The utility markings don't cover private lines, so tell us about sprinkler lines, pet fences or anything else you've buried yourself.

A broom finish, the light brushed texture, is the practical pick for most driveways and walks because it gives shoes and tires grip when it's wet or icy. Stamped and colored finishes suit a patio or entry, though they can be slicker and need resealing, so I'll talk through that before you pick.

Dickinson's cold is the biggest test new concrete faces, and its first winter is when it's most tender. Water that sits on or under a slab freezes and pushes, so the base and drainage matter even more here. I'll tell you how to go easy on it, like skipping deicing salt that first season.