CONCRETE FAQ

National guides commonly cite roughly $6 to $15 per square foot for basic installed concrete, $12 to $25 for stamped and $15 to $35 for pavers. These are national ranges, not our prices, and local jobs vary with size, base work, demolition, access and finish. See our concrete cost guide, then call (503) 782-6069 for a free written estimate.

A standard residential driveway is commonly poured around four inches on a compacted rock base, with more thickness where RVs or heavy trucks will drive. Your estimate should state thickness, base depth and reinforcement in writing.

Foot traffic is usually fine in a day or two. Vehicles typically wait about a week, and heavier loads longer. Cool, damp weather can slow the cure, so we give you a schedule specific to your pour.

It can. We protect pours when possible and reschedule when conditions would compromise the slab, rather than force a bad placement. Heavy rain on fresh concrete can damage the surface.

Hairline shrinkage cracks can occur in any concrete. Control joints and reinforcement are there to guide and hold them. A crack that widens, or a panel that drops, usually points to a base or drainage problem, and you should photograph it and call us.

Sometimes. It depends on whether the remaining concrete is sound and can be matched for thickness and drainage. If the base under the whole slab has failed, patching only hides the problem.

Concrete usually costs more up front and needs less maintenance. Asphalt usually costs less up front and needs sealcoating and patching. We install concrete only. Read our concrete vs asphalt driveway guide for the full trade-offs.

Stamped concrete is a continuous surface that usually costs less; pavers can be lifted and reset and flex better on soft ground. We install both. See our stamped concrete vs pavers guide.

Yes. Stamped and colored concrete is normally sealed and resealed every few years to protect color and surface, especially on shaded, wet patios.

Moss and algae grow where shade and moisture combine. Trim back branches, clear gutters, improve drainage and clean with a stiff brush and a concrete-safe cleaner. See our wet-climate concrete guide.

Avoid de-icing chemicals on new concrete, especially in the first winter, and avoid products with ammonium nitrate or sulfate. Sand gives traction without chemical damage.

It depends on the project and address. Simple backyard flatwork often does not need a building permit, while work in the public right-of-way, retaining walls, grading and commercial foundations commonly do. Ask your city or county, and call 811 before any digging. See our permits and process guide.

In many Oregon cities the adjoining property owner is responsible for maintaining it, and repair work in the public right-of-way is regulated by the city. Check with your city about your address.

No outdoor slab is crack-proof, so warranties focus on workmanship within the agreed scope, such as thickness, grade and finishing, and usually exclude overload, chemical abuse, plow damage and drainage changes after installation. Terms are in your written agreement.

Square footage, thickness, base depth and material, reinforcement, joint plan, finish, demolition and haul-off, drainage work, permit responsibility, cure and sealing instructions and payment schedule. Lump-sum bids without those lines are hard to compare.

Happy Valley, Clackamas, Damascus, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Gladstone, Boring, Sandy, Gresham, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin and Portland, plus the surrounding metro area. See our service areas page.

Yes. We pour commercial slabs, foundations and pads for shops, barns, warehouses and small commercial buildings in the Portland metro area.

Call or text (503) 782-6069, Monday to Saturday 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, or use the quote form with your city, project type, approximate size and photos.