When looking for concrete contractors in Calgary, one of the biggest inquiries most people have is pricing. For a concrete project to get done well, you want to anticipate how much money you need to budget out to make it happen. Get concrete answers on the price of concrete in Calgary this year down below!

Concrete Cost Breakdown in Calgary for 2022

Creating Concrete Pricing

To get concrete pricing, you need to consider the factors that influence the cost of concrete. Without it, you won’t have a definite price for the work you wish to get done.

Check out down below some factors that amount to the cost of concrete:

Concrete thickness
Amount of labour
Need for certain equipment
Base of concrete
Materials used for concrete installation
Type of project & how intensive
Finish of the concrete installation

By bearing these factors in mind, you can get a more concrete idea of what the overall cost will be.

Concrete Pricing on Installation Labour

The cost of concrete itself is around $113 to $126 per cubic yard or between $2.83 to $3.57 per square foot. In which case, it explains why the average cost for a simple concrete slab is between $4 to $8 per square foot.

Homeowners will take advantage of the cost by usually spending around $5.35 to $6.17 per square foot or $113 to $126 per cubic yard for both materials and installation.

Meanwhile, the average cost of labour is $45 per hour or around $2.52 to $2.60 per square foot. If delivery is necessary, you can expect to pay $60 as well.

Therefore, you can expect the average cost for concrete work to get done to be $8,336

Scope of Concrete Project

Not all concrete work is done the same. In which case, you can expect the pricing to be vastly different depending on what you want. Furthermore, the size of the project matters to the overall price.

Here are the average prices of a few well-known concrete projects:

Shed: $670 – $930
Patio: $796 – $1,476
Driveway: $1,440 – $3,360
Garage: $3,058 – $5,944

As you can see, the size and complexity of a concrete job are reflected in the prices of each.

Possible Additional Concrete Costs

Naturally, if you require more out of your concrete project, then you can expect to pay more for it. In which case, you want to consider a few of the common additional costs that factor into the final price. One of which is the type of materials.

Check out these materials costs to see what one is right for you:

White mesh: $0.35 per square foot
Rebar: $1.60 per square foot
Vapour barrier: $0.50 per square foot
2-inch styrofoam under-slab: $0.50 per square foot

Furthermore, if your slab is in a hard-to-reach area for a concrete truck, you will need the services of a pump truck. They can cost approximately $900. Also, if your slabs require any thicker edges, you can expect an additional cost ranging between $1–$2 per square foot.

As the leading concrete contractors in Calgary, Apex Concrete is ready to take your outdoor space to the next level. Our expertise, high-quality workmanship, and landscaping services will transform your home into the oasis you’ve always wanted. As the top-tier professional concrete company in Calgary, we know how to customize our services to suit your style and taste. Whether it’s forming a concrete patio for summer BBQs, relaying your concrete driveways, or adding the finishing touches to your home’s entrance, we can execute your plan to perfection. Our concrete and landscaping services will make you fall back in love with your home. Transform your home with our concrete contractors. Contact us at 403-333-6633 or [email protected] today.

A common concern from landscaping projects that concrete contractors in Calgary hear from homeowners is the lifespan of certain materials used.

Typically, this is brought up during discussions with the contractor and homeowner about using concrete edging or other materials for the landscaping layout. These are valid concerns. Homeowners pay their fair share for a landscaping project. So, naturally, they wish it would last longer and make it worth every cent.

Learn what to expect from the lifespan of concrete edging, so you can make the right call for what’s best for your landscaping project!

What is Concrete Edging?

Concrete edging involves creating a border using concrete as a material between two types of ground. An example of this is the ground line between the garden and pawn. People opt for concrete edging for either practical or aesthetic reasons when landscaping.

Concrete edging can give homeowners the ability to organize their garden into a more attractive layout. However, some homeowners do so for its functionality in their garden. From concrete edging, it helps to deter grass from growing into flower beds.

Why Use Concrete Edging?

Concrete edging has increasingly become popular for landscaping projects. Why is that? It has a lot of benefits compared to other materials!

As you know, concrete as a material is rather durable. It’s why it’s the go-to choice for any means of construction. Knowing Calgary’s harsh winters, it can easily withstand any frost. You also don’t need to worry about damaging it if you accidentally bump it while mowing the lawn.

It can withstand all these conditions while still looking good for a long time – 15 to 20 years, to be exact! Because of this, it requires barely any maintenance to look nice. Plus, its price is manageable enough to make it worth having.

Is Concrete Edging Worth It?

Yes! There is a reason why it has been garnering popularity with homeowners. As you know, there are various benefits. To put those benefits into perspective is by seeing how this material adds value to your home.

As you might know, landscaping your home can help increase its value in the housing market. Concrete edging assures your landscaping look is preserved because of its resilient composition that will last for a long time. It appeals to homebuyers since it showcases your home and surrounding area as effortlessly attractive without needing long-term work. That’s great for homeowners that lead busy lives and can’t make time for maintenance but wish to have a nice property.

Concrete edging is worth it even for homeowners that aren’t selling since you can get the best of both worlds with this material. It guarantees a great look for many years that it practically pays itself. You can rest assured in using concrete edging for your landscaping project!

With summer here, people are keen to start any outdoor projects they’ve planned. One summer project has been garden edging. However, not everyone knows what’s the best concrete mix for it. Get the scoop on the best concrete mix for garden edging from the best concrete contractors in Calgary!

What is Garden Edging?

Garden edging helps create distinct lines between garden beds and surrounding areas. Typically, you can see garden edging in some people’s neighbourhoods from the visible lines between someone’s lawn and their adjoining garden. It helps to separate parts of your garden by presenting a certain layout to your liking.

Why Consider Garden Edging?

An organised garden can do wonders for how it looks and its health. Part of the work required of garden edging is to get rid of unwanted plants like weeds. With garden edging, you can keep pesky plants at bay from ruining your garden.

Beyond removing nasty weeds from your garden, the biggest benefit behind garden edging is how lovely it can make your garden look. Since you can choose how you can go about it, you can give your garden a layout that appeals to you.

For example, you can create a small pathway to your garden. Garden edging allows you to get creative with how to make your garden attractive but also is a great way to organise it simultaneously.

Why Use Concrete for Garden Edging?

With garden edging, there are various materials that you can use. People have used big stones as borders for their gardens. Others have used metal like aluminium to do the job. However, these materials can fall flat for various reasons.

Not everyone might want to find big stones to border their garden. They’re too heavy and don’t have a uniform shape. For those who are particular about that, it might not fit their vision of how they want their garden to look. As for metal, that can also be unsightly after a while. It might seem durable at first, but the elements will eventually get to it and result in rust appearing. It’s not exactly a great look!

Meanwhile, concrete is great for its versatility and durability. You can shape the edging however you want, allowing you to have creative freedom over your garden’s borders. Plus, the best part is that concrete can last for years. Using concrete instead, you can have fine garden edging for a long time.

What is the Best Concrete Mix?

If you’re planning any garden edging, the best concrete mix you can use would be from Quikrete’s Crack Resistant Concrete. Fibre-reinforced, this concrete is made with fibrous material that helps increase its structural integrity. So, you can guarantee that the borders of your design won’t fail you. Also, this type of concrete is compatible with available liquid cement colours that emulate colours such as red, brown, buff, charcoal and terra cotta. In this way, you can add a personal touch to your garden edging without compromising the vision of your garden’s overall aesthetic.

The basis of all of these hip neighbourhoods in Calgary comes from creatively repurposing unconventional items. A good example of this is shipping containers turned into aesthetically pleasing public spaces.

Transform your landscaping like a shipping container through a few ideas!

Gardening

Concrete cinder blocks have become a popular trend in garden landscaping for their versatile use. The beauty comes from being able to raise your garden bed to whatever height you please – which helps avoid kneeling or bending constantly while gardening. Also, it helps others easily see the plants you’ve lovingly laboured over. They also step up your garden game as garden beds built with stacked cinder blocks drain naturally!

Walls

Building walls is what cinder blocks are made for – especially for separating your property! Not a fan of a cinder block’s grey pallor? Don’t worry about it! You can change that by painting over them. It’s a fun way to show off your creative side and choose whatever colours compliment your landscape. If you make mistakes or change your mind frequently, it can be solved through painting over and allowing yourself the freedom to change your landscaping style anytime.

Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great landscaping addition for roasting marshmallows to chatting with friends. Yet, many might hold themselves back due to the price of a fire pit. Instead of buying a fire pit, you can build yourself one with cinder blocks and save! Making a fire pit is quite straightforward – with many tutorials online on how to do so. If you’re apprehensive, you can always have a concrete contractor that can help while still being cost-effective. If you’re willing to tackle this DIY project, you can proudly relay to your friends and family how you did it around the fire pit that you built!

Structure

Think about cinder blocks like lego, and the possibilities to elevate your landscaping are endless. Many have created unique landscaping pieces like an outdoor bar or kitchen for the patio area.

If those ideas are too ambitious, here are two simple additions that can boost your landscaping:

Stairs and Pathways – The structurally sound nature of cinder blocks is great for incorporating stairs into your landscaping. Pathways give a fun and imagination element by making you and others feel like you’re going through a beautiful miniature journey.

Seating – You can build a chair, couch, or bench out of cinder blocks in creative ways. If you’re worried it won’t be comfortable, add seat cushions to add a little pop of colour to contrast with the cinder block’s plain grey colour.

Apex Concrete, as one of Calgary’s top concrete contractors, stands ready to improve your outdoor living experience. Our experience with high-quality construction and landscaping solutions will turn your property into the haven you call home. We’ll adapt our concrete pours to suit your style vision as the top-tier expert concrete business in Calgary. We can implement any idea to suit your hardscaping needs, whether it’s building a concrete patio for summer BBQs, mending your concrete roads, or putting the final adjustments to your home’s entrance. Our concrete and landscaping services can help you rediscover the joy of owning a house. With the help of our concrete contractors, you can completely transform your property. Call us today at 403-333-6633 or email us at [email protected]

While it may seem like concrete companies in Calgary have a particular specialization, there are actually several benefits that they offer. Of course, this is over and above the beautiful, smooth walkway or concrete driveway that you expect them to provide. In fact, there are probably five surprising benefits that you may not be aware of, for instance:

Surprising Benefits of Concrete Companies

AIR MILES Rewards Program

Truly, the best benefit you can reap from working with a concrete company is a boost to your AIR MILES. With the current cost of flights around the world, this small boost could be all you need to finally take the plunge and go on the vacation of your dreams.

Improved Curb Appeal

One of the best reasons for you to consult with concrete companies is when you are planning to move. Selling your home often comes down to the first impression potential buyers have, and keeping your concrete looking its best is the least you can do to improve your home showing.

Better Parties at Home

Indeed. The benefits of concrete companies extend into your personal life as well. Having a beautiful patio made of interlocking concrete stones not only provides a great aesthetic but opens up your space for larger gatherings and simpler party setups.

Easier Commute

It may appear that you are being led astray with this benefit, but you would be mistaken. Sure, regular road improvements and replacements will quickly make your commute easier, but you can think of the improvement on a more local level as well. Fixing and maintaining your driveway prevents unnecessary damage to your vehicle and reduces the risk for you and your children at the same time. These benefits culminate in a more comfortable commute and a safer ride, every day.

Improved Aesthetics

Perhaps you don’t find this benefit too surprising, and that is totally understandable. Replacing your old concrete slabs with beautiful, textured concrete interlocking stones should provide a distinct advantage. As should your ability to get this wonderful service from concrete companies in Calgary.

How to Find The Concrete Company Benefits

The best way to discover the benefits of concrete companies in Calgary is by hiring them for your project. Yes, this fact may not come as a surprise like the others before it, but it is true nonetheless. However, the process isn’t as simple as picking a number from the phone book at random. Instead, make sure you perform diligent research and investigation to make sure you are getting the best quality and the best deal.

Apex Concrete is ready to take your outdoor space to the next level. As a professional concrete company in Calgary, we know how to customize our services to suit your style and taste. All year round, Apex Concrete is here to help you. Call us today at 403-333-6633.

Are you looking for a decorative finish for your driveway? Consider exposed aggregate. This type of concrete is durable and adds a “wow” factor to your home or business. Here’s what you need to know about exposed aggregate concrete.

What is Exposed Aggregate?

Exposed aggregate concrete is a type of finish that involves pouring concrete with aggregate added. The outer layer is then sanded back to reveal the beautiful natural texture of the stones, pebbles, shells, slate, or other material embedded in the concrete.

What Surfaces are Ideal for Exposed Aggregate?

With its durable and skid-resistant nature, exposed aggregate is an ideal choice for just about any part of your home or business. Pathways, driveways, pool areas, patios, polished internal floors, and alfresco areas are some of the great places to incorporate this material. It also works well for vertical applications, such as architectural building facades, decorative retaining walls, and sound barrier walls.

Advantages of Exposed Aggregate from Concrete Companies

Exposed aggregate concrete offers many benefits for residential and commercial properties. There is a huge selection of styles to choose from when you visit a concrete company.

If you need a specific pattern, colour, or texture to complement your existing building, you’ll probably find it. Exposed aggregate is also durable and strong, with little maintenance required. It can handle foot and vehicle traffic as well as extreme weather conditions.

It’s also slip-resistant which makes it a great choice for any area where people or vehicles are prone to slips or skids, such as around a pool.

Finally, exposed aggregate from a concrete company is visually appealing. It makes a surface highly distinctive with its striking effect and can give your space a modern, luxurious feel.

Now that you know the basics, a concrete company can help you learn more or take advantage of exposed aggregate for yourself.

Concrete doesn’t demand a lot; it’s a low-maintenance option that’s ideal for all kinds of applications. Even so, proper care helps maximize the lifespan of concrete. Here’s how to protect your concrete investment for the long haul.

5 Ways To Protecting Your Concrete Investment

Clean Your Concrete

Regular cleaning helps keep concrete looking its best and removes debris from the surface that can cause unnecessary wear. Use a power washer to get rid of build up and debris. Make slow, even passes, and avoid holding the spray in one spot for too long. It’s also important to avoid harsh chemicals which are often unnecessary for cleaning and can damage the concrete.

Remove Stains Promptly

Gasoline, oil, grease, and other spills can leave nasty marks on concrete, so clean spills as quickly as possible. If a stain does set, try using a power washer to remove it or a cleaner designed for concrete. Concrete companies in Calgary can recommend cleaners that are safe for use on concrete.

Get Seal Concrete From Calgary Concrete Contractors

Applying sealer creates a barrier to protect the concrete from spills, chemicals, and the elements. Plan to apply sealer every two to three years. You can seal concrete yourself or have concrete companies in Calgary seal the concrete for you.

Remove Snow from Concrete Properly

Many chemicals for de-icing can break down concrete, even salt is hard on the material. Sand is the safest thing to use when snow hits. Take care when shovelling as well to avoid chipping the surface.

Deal with Cracks with Concrete Contractors

Even with proper care, sometimes cracks occur. Deal with them promptly to avoid further damage. Concrete contractors in Calgary can provide effective crack repair.

Concrete contractors in Calgary can give you a durable surface that requires minimal maintenance, which makes protecting your investment easy.

Before we begin, we have to remember how Calgary concrete driveways are somewhat permanent and low maintenance additions to the home. It can drastically improve the home’s appearance, and at the same time, it will give your kids a safe place where they can ride their bikes.

Continue reading “How to Update Your Driveway with Concrete Slabs”

Concrete is a popular option for driveways, pathways, and patios. Although highly durable, it can develop cracks over time. If you notice cracks or other problems developing in your concrete, consider these seven reasons to hire a professional Calgary concrete contractor to perform repairs.

Continue reading “Reasons To Hire A Professional Concrete Contractor For Repairs”

Concrete is a favourite building material, and it’s easy to see why: it’s highly durable and widely versatile. Considering how popular it is, it’s likely you have at least one concrete surface in your home. Concrete requires little maintenance, but even tough slabs from a reliable concrete company won’t last forever. If you have concrete pathways that are beginning to show wear and tear, keep reading to learn about how to give them a new look. Continue reading “How To Give Your Concrete Pathways a Brand New Look”