Concrete
Residential concrete work covers driveways, walkways, patios, steps, slabs and footings. The finished surface is the visible part, but most of the durability comes from what happens underneath: the base preparation, thickness, reinforcement and drainage.
Concrete is unforgiving once it cures, so the planning stage matters more than in most trades. Slope, control joints and edge detail decide whether a slab drains properly and whether it cracks in a controlled place or a random one.
Availability
Hire Best Pros is not connecting people with concrete professionals yet. This page is here as background reading while we work on it. Everything we do cover today is listed in our service directory.
What people usually need
- Driveway replacement, extension and repair
- Patios, walkways and front steps
- Garage and shed slabs
- Footings and foundation repairs
- Stamped, colored and exposed aggregate finishes
- Removal and disposal of old concrete
What to weigh before hiring
Base preparation and thickness
Ask what base material will be used, how deep it will be compacted, and what slab thickness is planned. A driveway that carries vehicles needs more than a walkway, and skipping base work is the most common cause of early failure.
Reinforcement and control joints
Confirm whether rebar or wire mesh is included and how control joints will be spaced. Concrete cracks by nature. Joints decide where.
Weather and curing
Pouring in heat, cold or rain changes the result. Ask how the crew handles curing and how long you must stay off the surface with foot traffic and vehicles.
Common questions
- How long does new concrete need before I can drive on it?
- Foot traffic is usually fine within a day or two, but most contractors ask you to keep vehicles off for about a week. Follow the contractor's guidance for your mix and climate.
- Can a cracked driveway be repaired instead of replaced?
- Small cracks can be sealed and surfaces can sometimes be resurfaced. Widespread cracking, heaving or sinking usually points to base or drainage problems that a patch will not fix.
Related reading
- Concrete driveways and walkwaysWhy the base matters more than the mix, how cracks and joints work, and what to check in a concrete quote.
- Drainage problems around the houseHow to spot a drainage problem before it reaches the foundation, the difference between surface and subsurface solutions, and how to maintain what gets installed.
- Foundation and concrete problemsWhy foundations move, how to read the difference between cosmetic and structural cracking, and the water management that prevents most of it.