Concrete work is permanent — literally set in stone. A detailed proposal with thickness, PSI, reinforcement, and finish options shows the client you're building something that'll last 30 years, not cutting corners.
Type of work (driveway, patio, sidewalk, foundation, slab), total square footage, property address. Note existing conditions: demo required, grade changes, drainage considerations, soil type.
Concrete thickness (4" standard, 6" for driveways), PSI rating (3000-4000 typical), reinforcement (rebar, wire mesh, fiber), base preparation (gravel depth, compaction), form type. These specs matter — they determine whether the slab cracks in 2 years or lasts 30.
Broom finish (standard, non-slip), exposed aggregate, stamped (pattern and color), colored concrete (integral color vs stain), smooth trowel. Each has different cost and aesthetic — lay out the options.
Line items: demo and removal (per sq ft), base prep and grading, forms (per linear ft), concrete (per sq ft at specified thickness), reinforcement, finish upgrade (per sq ft), sealer application. Show total.
Control joints (spacing, pattern), expansion joints (at structures and existing slabs), drainage slope (1/8" per foot minimum). These details prevent cracks and standing water — mention them.
Day 1: Demo, grading, forms, base. Day 2: Pour, finish. Curing: 24-48 hours before foot traffic, 7 days before vehicle traffic, 28 days for full strength. No sealer for 28 days. Clients need to know they can't park on it tomorrow.