These are the build questions people ask before they choose. The answers are for a place with long wet winters, mild summers, some ice and a real earthquake risk.
The price ranges on this page are national figures that HomeGuide published for 2026. They are not quotes from us. Labor rates, ready-mix prices, access to the yard and how wet or sloped the ground is all move a Clark County job up or down. Last checked October 2026.
Concrete or asphalt for a driveway?
Concrete costs more at the start and lasts longer. National figures are $5 to $12 or more per square foot for an asphalt driveway and $6 to $15 for concrete. Asphalt needs resealing every few years and its edges break down where water sits. In the City of Vancouver either one meets the rule that a driveway be paved. Asphalt suits very long rural drives. Concrete suits most home driveways.
Poured concrete or pavers?
Pavers cost more and can be lifted and relaid. A paver patio is $10 to $17 per square foot nationally, against $4 to $12 for plain concrete. Pavers drain through their joints, which helps in the rain. In our climate those joints also grow moss and weeds and need regular cleaning. Poured concrete is one solid surface that is easier to keep clean.
How thick should a concrete driveway be?
A concrete driveway for cars and light trucks should be at least 4 inches thick. Go to 5 or 6 inches where an RV, a loaded trailer or a work truck will park. The crushed rock base under it matters just as much here, because it keeps the slab off wet native soil.
Do I need rebar or wire mesh?
For a driveway, we recommend rebar or wire mesh. Steel does not stop cracks. It holds the pieces tight and level when a crack forms. Rebar on supports stays in the middle of the slab better than mesh, which often ends up trodden to the bottom. Small patios and walks on a good base can go without. Footings, walls and building slabs need the steel the code calls for.
What PSI concrete do I need?
Most home flatwork is ordered at 3,000 to 4,000 PSI. Outdoor slabs here should be air-entrained, which means the mix holds tiny air bubbles that protect it when water in the concrete freezes. The exact strength for a building slab or footing comes from the code and the plans. Ask your contractor what mix is on the ticket.
Is stamped concrete worth it?
Stamped concrete is worth it if you want the look of stone and accept the upkeep. It costs $8 to $19 per square foot nationally. It needs resealing, and the sealer can turn cloudy or slick in a wet climate if applied badly. For a covered patio it holds up very well. For a shaded, wet walkway, a broom or exposed aggregate finish is safer underfoot.
Should I seal new concrete, and how often does it need sealing?
You do not have to seal new concrete that has a plain broom finish, but a breathable penetrating sealer helps keep water and moss out. Wait until the slab has cured, about a month, and pick a dry spell. How often after that depends on wear, usually every few years. Stamped and colored concrete needs sealing more often. 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 finish for a steep driveway?
Outdoors, choose a broom finish. A smooth troweled surface is for garages and indoor floors. Wet, mossy, smooth concrete is like ice. For a steep driveway, as on Prune Hill or the Felida bluff, ask for a heavy broom finish pulled across the slope or an exposed aggregate finish, both of which give tires and shoes more grip.
What does a hot tub pad need?
A hot tub pad needs to be flat, level and strong. A filled tub with people in it weighs several thousand pounds. A 4-inch reinforced slab on compacted rock carries most tubs, but check the maker's requirements. Plan the power supply and the place the drain water will go before the pour.
What slab do I need for a shop with a vehicle lift or heavy equipment?
A slab for a vehicle lift or heavy equipment must follow the lift maker's minimum thickness and strength, and many makers ask for more than a normal garage floor. Tell us what will be bolted down before we quote. The slab edges and footings are part of the building permit, with the frost protection and steel the plans call for.
Do I need gravel under a slab? Do I need a vapor barrier?
Yes, you need gravel under a slab here. Compacted crushed rock gives even support and lets water drain away instead of sitting under the concrete. A vapor barrier is for enclosed, heated spaces: house slabs, finished garages and shops with flooring or stored goods. Patios and driveways do not need one. Local building criteria also rate this area high for radon, so slabs under living space have added code rules.
I need a pad that takes delivery trucks. What changes?
A pad for delivery trucks needs more thickness, more steel, a deeper rock base and closer joints than a car driveway. Truck wheels turning in place also grind the surface, so the mix and the finish matter. Tell us the heaviest vehicle and how often it comes.
My pool deck is worn. Resurface it, use pavers or pour new?
If the pool deck is solid and level, resurface it. National pool deck resurfacing is $3 to $6 per square foot. Use pavers when sections keep moving, since they can be relaid. Pour new when the slabs are broken or tilted. Around a pool here, the surface must grip when wet, and it should slope away from the water's edge.
A patio is being poured against the house. What goes between them?
An isolation joint goes between the patio and the house. It is a strip of compressible material that lets the slab move without pushing on the foundation. The top is sealed so rain does not run down the wall. The patio should also slope away from the house and sit below the siding and the door sill.
The real number for your property comes from a free visit with a tape measure. Call (360) 995-1179 or text us a photo of the area.