Short answer: Compare driveway quotes per square foot, then line by line. Check slab thickness, concrete strength and air entrainment, base preparation, reinforcement and how it's supported, joint spacing, tear-out and haul-off, and the permit. Most price gaps come from base work, thickness and steel. A quote that doesn't list them isn't comparable.
OKC Driveway Repair Co. writes itemized driveway quotes in Oklahoma City, and this guide explains how to compare driveway quotes, including ours, on equal terms. When Oklahoma City homeowners compare bids, a gap of a few thousand dollars on the same drive is common. Usually the quotes aren’t for the same driveway. Here is how to line them up.
Step 1: convert to price per square foot
Measure the drive or ask each contractor for their measured area, then divide each total by it. A $5,200 quote on 520 sq ft ($10/sq ft) and a $4,800 quote on 400 sq ft ($12/sq ft) are not what they look like. In Oklahoma City, full replacement typically falls between $8 and $13 per square foot.
Step 2: line up the specs
| Line | What to look for | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5 in. with thickened edges | 4 → 5 in. adds about 20% to concrete cost and nearly 50% to load capacity |
| Concrete | 4,000–4,500 psi, air-entrained, in writing | Air entrainment resists freeze-thaw scaling |
| Base | Soft clay dug out; 4–6 in. compacted crushed stone | Base work can range from $100 to $3,400 per job |
| Reinforcement | #3 rebar on chairs, dowels into old concrete | Mesh lying on the dirt does little |
| Joints | Saw-cut within 24 h, about 10 ft apart; ½ in. expansion joints | Late or shallow joints mean random cracks |
| Curing | Membrane curing compound; no cars for 7 days | Protects the surface in its first winter |
| Tear-out | Saw-cut, break-out, haul-off and recycling | $1,500–$2,500 for a typical drive |
| Permit | Line item for approach work | Required in OKC right-of-way (§50-116) |
The thickness figure is from Tennessee Concrete Association data cited by Concrete Network; the base and tear-out ranges are from LawnStarter’s 2026 guide.
Want a quote you can compare line by line?
Free on-site estimate · Same-day response
Step 3: check the terms
- Payment schedule written on the quote, with a reasonable deposit, not payment in full up front.
- What happens with change orders. Who approves extra base work if soft clay is found?
- Start window and weather plan. Especially in winter.
- Cleanup and haul-off included.
- Insurance certificate from the contractor’s insurer. Oklahoma has no state concrete license, so insurance and a written scope are your main protections; see our contractor licensing guide.
Red flags in a low bid
- “Standard driveway” with no thickness, psi or base described.
- No tear-out line, suggesting an overlay on the old slab.
- Mesh instead of rebar, or no mention of how steel is supported.
- No permit on a job that reaches the street.
- Cash only or pressure to sign today.
Why the high bid might be right
The highest quote is sometimes the only one that includes digging out soft clay, a full stone base, a 5-inch slab and the permit. On the metro’s shrink-swell clay, those are the lines that decide whether a drive lasts 10 years or 30.
Bottom line
Compare quotes per square foot, then spec by spec. Most of a $3,000 gap is base, thickness and steel. Use the driveway cost calculator to sanity-check the range, then call (405) 442-4044 for a quote written to compare.
Related questions
Should I always take the middle quote?
Not automatically. The middle quote is only safer if it includes the same scope as the high one. Line the quotes up by spec first; sometimes the highest bid is the only one that includes base work and a permit, and sometimes it's simply padded.
How many quotes should I get for a driveway?
Two or three is usually enough to see the range. More than that tends to add confusion without new information, especially if the quotes aren't written to the same specs.
Is it OK to ask a contractor to match another quote?
You can ask, but ask what would change. A lower price usually means a thinner slab, less base, mesh instead of rebar, or no permit. Make sure any change is written into the quote.
Sources
Get your driveway priced in writing
Free on-site estimate. Or call (405) 442-4044.
Got it. Thank you.
We'll call you back within 1 business hour during business hours to set up your free estimate.
Need us sooner? Call (405) 442-4044.