A cracked, heaved or sunken driveway is more than an eyesore. Broken slabs trip people, hold water that freezes, and can send runoff toward your garage or house. Replacing it is a big project, and in Michigan the parts you cannot see after the pour (the base, the thickness, the joints and the drainage) decide whether the new driveway lasts.
Rock Solid Exteriors is a family-owned, locally owned and operated contractor in Clinton Township, serving Southeast Michigan since 1997. We tear out and replace concrete driveways, and we also pour patios, sidewalks, steps and garage pads. Call (844) 757-6543 or book a free in-home concrete estimate.
Repair or Replace Your Driveway?
Some driveways only need a section or two replaced. Others are past saving. Replacement usually makes sense when you see:
- Wide or spreading cracks across multiple slabs, especially cracks with height differences on each side
- Heaving or sinking slabs that create trip edges or low spots
- Standing water or water draining toward the garage or house
- Scaling and spalling: the surface flaking or popping off, often from years of freeze-thaw cycles and road salt
- Crumbling edges and broken aprons at the street or garage
If the damage is limited to one or two slabs and the rest of the driveway is sound, replacing just those sections can be the better value. We will tell you honestly which way we would go.
Our Driveway Replacement Process
1. Free in-home estimate
We measure the driveway, look at slopes and drainage, and talk through size changes, finishes and timing. You get a written estimate with the scope of work.
2. Permits and utility marking
We pull the permits your city or township requires, and underground utilities are marked before any digging.
3. Tear-out and haul-away
The old concrete or asphalt is broken out and hauled away.
4. Base preparation and grading
This is the step that matters most in Michigan. Soft or unsuitable soil is dealt with, a compacted aggregate base is installed, and the driveway is graded so water runs away from the garage and house. A good base is the best protection against heaving and settling.
5. Forms and reinforcement
Forms are set to the final shape and height, and reinforcement is placed according to the scope of your project.
6. Pouring and finishing
The concrete is placed, leveled and finished, usually with a broom finish for traction, or with a stamped or exposed aggregate finish if you chose one. Control joints are cut or tooled so the slab cracks along straight, planned lines instead of randomly.
7. Curing and final walkthrough
We walk the finished driveway with you and explain when it is safe to walk and drive on it, and how to care for it through its first winter.
What Affects the Cost of a New Concrete Driveway
A published 2026 Michigan cost guide puts a standard broom-finish concrete driveway at roughly $12 to $15 per square foot installed, with removal of an old driveway adding about $1 to $3 per square foot. These are typical published ranges, not a Rock Solid quote. The factors that move your price:
- Size of the driveway and apron
- Tear-out: removing concrete or asphalt, and how thick the old slab is
- Base work: how much excavation, fill and compaction the site needs
- Thickness and reinforcement needed for the vehicles that will use it
- Finish: plain broom finish costs least; stamped, colored and exposed aggregate finishes cost more
- Access and grading: tight access, slopes and drainage corrections
- Extras: widening the driveway, adding a parking pad, or replacing the walkway and steps at the same time
0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10% discount. See our financing page.
Driveway Finish Options
Broom-finish concrete
The standard, practical choice. A light broom texture gives traction in rain and snow and is the most budget-friendly option.
Exposed aggregate
The top layer is washed away to reveal the stones in the mix, giving a textured, pebbled surface with good traction. See exposed aggregate concrete.
Stamped concrete
Patterns and colors that look like stone, brick or slate. Often used on driveway borders, aprons or entire driveways. See stamped concrete.
Combinations
Many homeowners use a broom-finish driveway with a stamped or exposed aggregate border, or match the driveway to a new walkway and patio.
Caring for a New Driveway in Michigan
- Follow the walk-on and drive-on timing we give you for your pour. Concrete keeps gaining strength for weeks after it is placed.
- Avoid deicing salts on new concrete during its first winter. Use sand for traction instead, and never use products containing ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate.
- Ask us whether a sealer is recommended for your finish. Sealing helps protect against water and salt.
- Keep snowplow blades raised slightly and avoid metal-edged shovels on decorative finishes.
- Keep downspouts discharging away from the driveway edges.
Why Choose Rock Solid Exteriors
- Family-owned, locally owned and operated since 1997 (25+ years)
- Driveways, patios, sidewalks, steps, garage pads and pool decks
- Plain, stamped, exposed aggregate and stained finishes
- Michigan Residential Builder License 2102205396
- Free in-home estimates
- 0% financing for 60 months on approved credit and a 10% veterans discount
Concrete Driveway FAQ
How long does a driveway replacement take?
Tear-out, base prep and the pour are often done over a few days for a typical residential driveway, then the concrete needs time to cure before you drive on it. Weather and site conditions affect the schedule. We give you a timeline with your estimate.
How soon can I drive on my new driveway?
As a general rule, light foot traffic is possible after a day or two, and cars usually have to wait about a week, with heavier vehicles waiting longer. We give you the exact timing for your pour and the weather it was poured in.
Why does new concrete crack?
All concrete shrinks as it cures, and some cracking is normal. Control joints are placed so the slab cracks in straight, planned lines. A well-compacted base, proper thickness and good drainage help prevent the random cracking and heaving that ruin driveways.
Can you pour concrete in cold weather?
Concrete can be placed in cooler weather with the right precautions, but freezing temperatures before it cures can damage it. We schedule pours around the forecast and will tell you if we recommend waiting.
Is concrete or asphalt better for a Michigan driveway?
We install concrete. It costs more than asphalt up front but does not need regular resealing like asphalt and offers decorative finish options. Either way, the base and drainage are what make a driveway last.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway?
Many cities and townships require one, especially for work on the apron near the street. We pull the permits your city requires.
Do you offer financing for concrete?
Yes. 0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit.
Driveway Replacement Across Macomb County
We replace concrete driveways throughout Macomb County, northeast Oakland County and Lapeer County, including Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Roseville, Mount Clemens, Troy, Rochester Hills and Lapeer.
Get a Free Driveway Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your free concrete estimate online. Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday.
Rock Solid Exteriors, 42452 Hayes Rd #2a, Clinton Township, MI 48038.