From Consultation to Completion: Your Driveway Journey

Understanding the installation process reduces stress, helps you plan effectively, and ensures the project goes smoothly. Here’s what to expect from your first call to the moment you park on your new driveway.

Step 1: Initial Consultation (Day 1)

The Site Visit

We arrive at your property for a thorough evaluation. This isn’t a quick glance—we spend 30-60 minutes assessing your specific situation:

Measurement and Assessment: We measure your current driveway area and evaluate conditions. This includes checking for signs of base failure, drainage issues, or other problems that might affect the new installation.

Soil Evaluation: Spokane’s varying soil types affect installation. Clay-heavy soils (common in many areas) expand and contract significantly with moisture changes. We adjust our installation approach based on your specific soil conditions.

Drainage Analysis: We observe how water currently flows across your property. Proper drainage is critical for driveway longevity in our freeze-thaw climate.

Access Considerations: We assess how our equipment will access your property. This includes checking for overhead obstacles, fence gates, landscaping that might need protection, and any other logistical considerations.

Discussion and Recommendations

Material Options: We explain your options—concrete vs. asphalt, standard vs. stamped—and provide transparent pricing for each. We discuss which materials perform best for your specific situation.

Design Options: If you’re interested in stamped or colored concrete, we show samples and discuss patterns that complement your home’s architecture.

Timeline Explanation: We outline the expected timeline based on your project’s scope and current scheduling.

Detailed Quote: You receive a written quote detailing exactly what’s included, what’s not, and the final cost. No hidden fees, no surprises.

No Pressure Approach

We answer all your questions thoroughly. We want you to make an informed decision without pressure. Many homeowners schedule multiple consultations, and we encourage this—finding the right contractor matters as much as choosing the right material.

Step 2: Pre-Installation Planning

Scheduling

Once you decide to proceed, we schedule your installation. We consider:

  • Weather Forecast: Concrete and asphalt require appropriate temperature ranges for proper curing
  • Material Lead Times: Special order materials (like specific stamping patterns or colors) need advance ordering
  • Your Schedule: We coordinate around your availability and any upcoming events
  • Permit Requirements: Some Spokane jurisdictions require permits for driveway work

Utility Locating

Before any excavation, we contact utility locating services. They mark underground lines for:

  • Gas
  • Electric
  • Water
  • Sewer
  • Communication lines
  • Irrigation systems

This critical safety step typically occurs a few days before excavation begins.

Preparation Instructions

We provide you with specific instructions for preparing your property:

Clear the Area: Remove vehicles, bicycles, trash cans, and any personal items from the driveway and surrounding areas

Vehicle Relocation: You’ll need alternative parking for 3-7 days depending on project scope

Access Coordination: Ensure gates are unlocked and access areas are clear

Pet Safety: Plan to keep pets indoors during work hours for their safety

Landscaping Protection: We protect nearby landscaping, but moving delicate plants or temporary relocation of items close to work areas helps

Step 3: Site Preparation (Day 1 of Installation)

Demolition and Removal

Existing Surface Removal: If you have an old driveway, we break it up using specialized equipment. The concrete or asphalt is loaded into trucks and hauled to recycling facilities—most construction materials are now recyclable.

Dust Control: We use water to minimize dust during demolition, especially important during Spokane’s dry summer months.

Property Protection: We lay down protection over lawns and walkways leading to the work area. Heavy equipment travels on plywood or similar protection to prevent lawn damage.

Grading and Base Preparation

Excavation: We typically dig out 10-12 inches below the finished surface level. This depth allows for proper base material thickness plus the new surface.

Soil Compaction: The native soil is compacted using heavy vibratory rollers. This creates a stable foundation that prevents future settling.

Geotextile Fabric (when needed): In areas with poor soil or high clay content, we install a fabric barrier between soil and base. This prevents mixing and maintains base integrity.

Base Installation: We install 6-8 inches of crushed gravel base, specifically graded for driveway applications. The base provides drainage and structural support.

Grading for Drainage: The base is graded with a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot, ensuring water flows away from your home and garage. Proper drainage is essential in our freeze-thaw climate.

Final Compaction: The base is compacted multiple times to achieve maximum density. Proper compaction prevents settling and cracks later.

This first day is loud and dusty, but by day’s end, you’ll see a perfectly graded, prepared area ready for the new surface.

Step 4: Concrete Installation (Day 2)

Forming and Reinforcement

Edge Forms: We install wooden or metal forms around the perimeter. These create the edges and contain the concrete until it cures. Forms are set to the exact grade and slope.

Reinforcement Installation: For concrete driveways, we install wire mesh or rebar reinforcement. This sits on chairs within the concrete depth, not directly on the soil. Reinforcement provides structural strength and controls cracking.

Concrete Pouring

Concrete Delivery: Ready-mix trucks arrive with 4000 PSI air-entrained concrete specifically designed for Spokane’s climate. The air-entrainment (microscopic air bubbles) provides freeze-thaw resistance.

Pouring and Spreading: Concrete is poured into the forms and spread using rakes and shovels. We work quickly as concrete begins curing immediately.

Screeding: A straightedge is pulled across the surface to level the concrete. This removes excess material and creates a uniform surface.

Bull Floating: A large float smooths the surface and embeds the aggregate (rocks) below the surface. This creates the basis for the final finish.

Finishing

Edging: We run an edging tool along perimeter forms to create a clean, rounded edge. This prevents chipping after forms are removed.

Control Joints: Using a jointing tool, we create grooves in the concrete surface. These control joints create weakened planes that encourage cracking to occur in straight, controlled lines rather than randomly.

Surface Texture: For standard concrete, we create a broom finish using a broom pulled across the surface. This provides slip resistance. The direction and texture can be adjusted for your preference—light broom for smoother surface, heavy broom for more traction.

Color Application (if applicable): For colored or stamped concrete, color hardener is broadcast across the surface and worked in during the floating process.

Stamping (If Applicable)

For stamped concrete, after the concrete reaches the proper consistency (usually 2-4 hours after pouring):

Release Agent: A powder or liquid release agent is applied to prevent stamping mats from sticking to the concrete

Stamping: Large textured mats are pressed into the concrete in a systematic pattern. This requires a team working quickly and precisely

Detailing: After stamping, detail tools touch up any imperfections and ensure crisp pattern reproduction

Washing and Sealing (later): After curing, release agent residue is washed off, and protective sealer is applied

Curing Begins

Once finishing is complete, the curing process begins. The concrete is initially workable enough for light foot traffic within 24-48 hours, but vehicle traffic must wait longer.

Step 5: Asphalt Installation (Alternative Day 2)

Base Preparation Verification

Asphalt installation follows the same site preparation process. Before asphalt arrives, we verify the base is properly compacted and graded.

Asphalt Installation

Hot Mix Delivery: Asphalt arrives at 275-300°F in specialized trucks that keep material hot during transport.

Spreading: The asphalt is dumped into a paver, which spreads it to the correct thickness (typically 2-3 inches for residential driveways).

Initial Compaction: The paver includes initial compaction rollers that begin the compaction process immediately.

Fine Grading: Hand raking and lutes create proper drainage and smooth transitions between areas.

Final Compaction: Heavy rollers (often 3-5 tons) compact the asphalt to achieve proper density. Multiple passes ensure maximum compaction.

Edge Compaction: Specialized tampers compact edges where large rollers can’t reach. Proper edge compaction prevents future crumbling.

Cooling and Curing

Asphalt cools and hardens quickly. You can typically walk on it within 24 hours and park on it within 3-5 days, depending on temperature and humidity.

Step 6: Curing Period (Days 3-7 or Longer)

Concrete Curing

Initial Curing: Concrete reaches about 70% of its strength in 7 days. During this time, it should not be driven on.

Full Curing: Concrete continues curing for 28 days, reaching full strength at that point.

Weather Protection: In very hot weather, we might cover the concrete to prevent rapid curing, which can cause surface cracking. In case of rain, we protect the surface.

Joint Cutting (optional): Sometimes control joints are cut 1-2 days after pouring using diamond saws. This creates cleaner joints than tooled joints.

Asphalt Curing

Asphalt cures faster than concrete but continues to oxidize and harden for 6-12 months. During this time:

  • Avoid Sharp Turns: Don’t turn steering wheels while stationary—this can scar the surface
  • No Heavy Point Loads: Avoid parking in the same spot constantly
  • Cool Down: Don’t hose down hot asphalt; let it cool naturally

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Form Removal

For concrete projects, forms are typically removed after 24-48 hours. We clean and backfill against edges with soil or gravel as needed.

Cleanup

Site Cleanup: We thoroughly clean the work area, removing all debris, equipment, and materials. Your property should look as good as or better than when we arrived.

Lawn Repair: Any lawn damage from equipment is repaired with fresh topsoil and seed if needed.

Final Inspection: We walk through the project with you, ensuring everything meets your expectations and answering any questions.

Sealing (Concrete)

For concrete projects, we typically return after 28 days to apply protective sealer. This is included in our standard pricing:

  • Penetrating Sealer: For standard concrete, invisible protection that repels water
  • Acrylic Sealer: For stamped or colored concrete, provides visible wet-look enhancement and UV protection

Seal Coating (Asphalt)

Asphalt should be seal coated 6-12 months after installation to allow proper curing. This is typically a separate service scheduled for the following season.

Step 8: Living with Your New Driveway

First Few Months

Normal Shrinkage Cracks: You may see small hairline cracks appear. This is normal and doesn’t indicate structural problems. These are typically cosmetic and don’t require repair.

Color Variation: Concrete color may vary slightly across the surface. This is normal and adds character, particularly with stamped or colored concrete.

Drainage Verification: Observe how water flows during the first few rains. Proper drainage should send water away from structures. Report any pooling issues promptly.

Long-Term Care

Maintenance Schedule: We provide you with a detailed maintenance calendar specific to your material and installation.

Warranty Information: We stand behind our work with a 5-year craftsmanship warranty. We’ll explain what’s covered and how to maintain warranty protection.

Contact for Questions: We encourage homeowners to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’d rather address small issues early than wait for them to become problems.

Timeline Summary

Standard Concrete Driveway

  • Day 1: Demolition and base preparation
  • Day 2: Concrete pouring and finishing
  • Days 3-7: Initial curing (no vehicle traffic)
  • Day 28: Sealing application
  • After Day 7: Normal vehicle use

Stamped Concrete Driveway

  • Day 1: Demolition and base preparation
  • Day 2: Concrete pouring, stamping, and initial finishing
  • Days 3-7: Initial curing
  • Day 28: Sealing application
  • After Day 7: Normal vehicle use

Asphalt Driveway

  • Day 1: Demolition and base preparation
  • Day 2: Asphalt installation and compaction
  • Days 3-5: Initial curing
  • After Day 5: Normal vehicle use
  • 6-12 Months: Seal coating application

Spokane weather affects timelines:

Rain: Concrete cannot be poured in rain. We reschedule if significant rain is forecast. Light rain after pouring (after concrete sets) is typically fine.

Extreme Heat: Hot temperatures accelerate concrete curing, potentially causing surface cracks. We may start earlier in the day or use curing retardants.

Freezing Temperatures: Concrete and asphalt installation requires temperatures above freezing and rising. We typically don’t schedule installations November through February.

Communication Throughout

You’re never left wondering what’s happening:

Daily Updates: For multi-day projects, we communicate progress and next steps Weather Delays: Prompt notification if weather affects scheduling Question Response: We respond to questions and concerns promptly

Ready to Begin?

Now that you know what to expect, are you ready to transform your driveway? Contact us to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward a beautiful, durable new driveway.

Your Project, Your Timeline: Every project is unique. This overview describes typical installations, but we customize the process for your specific situation and needs.