The right material and build depend on the load, the ground and how much upkeep you will accept. Savannah adds three local facts to that: long hot summers, a great deal of rain, and salt in the air near the marsh and the ocean.
The price ranges on this page are national figures that HomeGuide published for 2026. They are not quotes from The Savannah Concrete Company. Labor rates, material prices, truck access and the ground on your lot all change the real number. Last checked October 2026.
Concrete or asphalt for a driveway?
Concrete costs more at the start and lasts longer with less upkeep. Nationally a concrete driveway is $6 to $15 per square foot and an asphalt driveway $5 to $12 or more, with a 20x20 asphalt drive at $2,000 to $4,800. Asphalt softens in strong summer sun, can mark under kickstands and trailer jacks, and needs sealcoating every few years. Concrete stays hard and reflects more heat. Asphalt is easier to patch and suits very long rural drives where cost per foot rules.
Poured concrete or pavers?
Pavers cost more to lay and are easier to fix. A paver patio is $10 to $17 per square foot nationally, or $3,800 to $6,800 for 20x20, against $1,600 to $4,800 for plain concrete at that size. Pavers can be lifted and relaid if a root or a settled spot moves them, and open-joint pavers let rain soak in, which helps where paved area is limited. In our humid climate the joints grow weeds and moss and need attention. A solid slab is simpler to keep clean.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
A concrete driveway for cars and pickups should be at least 4 inches thick, and 5 to 6 inches where heavier vehicles park. A boat on a trailer, a camper or a loaded work truck puts far more weight on a small area than a car does. Thicken the edges and the apron, since that is where slabs break first. Thickness only helps on a firm base, so on soft ground the base comes first.
Do I need rebar or wire mesh?
For a driveway here, yes, we recommend rebar or wire mesh. Steel does not prevent cracks. It keeps cracked sections locked together and level, which matters on sandy ground that can wash out and around tree roots. Rebar on supports, set in the middle of the slab, does more than mesh that ends up lying on the dirt. Near salt water, steel must be well covered by concrete so it does not rust.
What PSI concrete do I need?
Most home driveways and patios are poured with concrete rated from 3,000 to 4,000 PSI. Higher strength makes sense for driveways, heavy loads and anywhere close to salt water, because stronger, denser concrete lets less water and salt reach the steel. The PSI should be written on the quote and on the delivery ticket from the plant. Adding water on site to make the mix easier to place lowers the strength.
Is stamped concrete worth it?
Stamped concrete is worth it if you want the look of stone or brick and accept the upkeep. It costs $8 to $19 per square foot nationally against $6 to $12 for a plain slab. It needs resealing, the color fades in strong sun, and repairs are hard to match. For a front walk or a patio you see every day, many owners think it is money well spent. For a work driveway, plain broom finish is the practical choice.
Should I seal new concrete, and when? How often after that?
You do not have to seal new concrete that is plain, but sealing helps keep out stains, mildew and salt. Wait until the slab has cured, about 28 days, unless the product is a cure-and-seal applied on pour day. Stamped and colored concrete should always be sealed. How often after that depends on sun and traffic: every two to three years is typical for decorative work, and plain slabs go longer. Professional cleaning and sealing costs $1 to $3 per square foot nationally, or $575 to $1,700 for a two-car driveway.
Broom finish or smooth finish? What about a steep driveway?
Choose a broom finish for anything outdoors. It gives grip when wet, and outdoor concrete in Savannah is wet often. A smooth troweled finish belongs indoors, in garages and shops. Steep driveways are rare on this flat coast, but for a steep ramp to a raised house or a boat launch, a heavy broom or grooved finish across the slope gives tires and feet something to hold.
What does a hot tub pad need?
A hot tub pad needs to be flat, level and strong enough for a filled tub, which can weigh several thousand pounds. A 4 inch slab with steel on a compacted base suits many tubs, but follow the maker's stated requirement. Plan the electrical conduit and the drainage before the pour, and leave room to walk around the tub and open the service panel.
What does a shop slab need for a vehicle lift or heavy equipment?
A shop slab for a vehicle lift or heavy equipment has to match the lift maker's written requirement for thickness and concrete strength at the posts. Lift anchors pull upward on the concrete, so this is a safety matter, not a preference. Tell us the lift model before the pour. We can thicken the slab under the posts and place steel to suit. Do not bolt a lift to an existing slab of unknown thickness.
Do I need gravel under a slab, and a vapor barrier?
On firm, clean, well-drained sand, a compacted natural base can be enough, and that describes parts of Savannah. Where the soil is soft, wet or full of organic matter, you do need compacted gravel under the slab, or crushed stone, to spread the load and drain water. A vapor barrier is needed under any slab that will be enclosed or covered with flooring, because the water table is high here. Open driveways and patios do not need one.
What does a pad need to take a delivery truck?
A pad that takes a delivery truck needs more thickness, more steel and a better base than a car driveway. The exact design depends on the truck's weight and how often it comes. For businesses near the port, where loaded tractor trailers turn and park, the slab should be designed for those axle loads. We ask what vehicles will use it and build to that, not to a house standard.
My pool deck is worn. Should I resurface it, use pavers or pour new?
Resurface a pool deck that is sound and level, at a national cost of $3 to $6 per square foot. Replace sections that have sunk or tilted, since those are trip hazards beside water. Pavers suit decks where the ground keeps shifting, because they can be relaid. Whatever you choose, pick a light color and a textured finish so it grips when wet and stays bearable under bare feet in July. Salt-water pools are harder on concrete and sealer than chlorine pools.
What goes between a new patio and the house?
An isolation joint goes between the patio and the house. It is a strip of compressible material, sometimes called an expansion joint, that keeps the slab separate from the foundation. The patio and the house settle differently, and without the joint the slab can crack or push on the wall. The patio should also slope away from the house so storm water runs off.
Only a site visit gives a real price for your property. Estimates are free and come with a written quote. Call (912) 214-3834 or text us a photo of the area.