Frequently Asked Questions
Most concrete is priced by the square foot.
However other factors such as finish, steps, drainage, excavation, cleanup, demolition, etc. will impact the final cost.
We will be glad to give you a free estimate on your project over the phone or at your project site on qualified projects.
New construction usually requires a building permit which will involve some type of inspection.
However, most flatwork not involving a foundation or city right-of-way like a driveway approach does not require an inspection.
We suggest that you check with your local building department to make sure.
Call our office to get a free estimate and we will get your project started right away.
We can help you with everything from the concrete finish type and/or color selections to guiding you from the permit stage to completion.
Most Municipalities have building codes that may requiring engineering and the like.
We can refer you to some of the professionals we do work for.
However, in most cases we can help you with your design and engineering unless professionals are required by code.
Either way, if you have the where-with-all to do so it is always wise to get a professional involved.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete is concrete that has the appearance of gravel on the surface.
The gravel is mixed in the concrete in the truck and poured out.
After a short period, the top surface is washed off "exposing" the gravel in the mix.
Exposed aggregate can also be done by "seeding" or throwing and working in a select gravel onto the wet concrete surface, then exposing to reveal the aggregate.
Although the process is similar, this type of finish is an upgrade due to the cost of the select gravel and the additional labor.
After the Exposed Concrete is washed and has dried it may produce a white milky looking appearance.
This is nothing to be alarmed about.
It is usually produced from the water residue of the exposing process.
It is a result of several things such as hard water or calcium residue, or part of the natural curing process of the concrete itself.
In time this residue will wear off and take on the appearance you are expecting to see.
Daily watering for the first couple of weeks will facilitate the curing.
For immediate results the concrete can be acid washed with a 1:4 acid to H2O mixture.
Patterned Concrete is concrete that is embossed with rubber stamps resulting in a cost-effective natural looking surface.
There are a several patterns and textures to choose from.
Also, you will be able to select the colors that will compliment the surrounding hardscape.
Please note that part of the Patterned Concrete requires sealing the concrete.
Be aware that the introduction of a sealer will create a somewhat slippery surface.
You can be involved in the color selection of your concrete.
We will help guide you in the direction that is best suited for your project.
By adding a sealer to the concrete we are creating a somewhat "slippery" surface.
The sealer serves a dual purpose.
One - It waterproofs the concrete.
Two - It enhances the colors that are used on the concrete.
Please note that we incorporate an "anti-skid" product to our sealers that reduce the slippery effect as a result of the sealer.
By the time that your concrete project is completed you will have seen photos and/or actual samples of the finish that you have chosen.
We do the best we can to insure that you get the best result possible, and that you get the consistency you expect.
How? By limiting the number of material suppliers used and controlling the type of concrete that we pour by producing it ourselves from our own concrete plant.
However, there are many factors beyond our control that can influence the final product.
Some of these are the weather, and the natural curing process of the concrete.
Please be open minded and accept the fact that this is not like definitively choosing between black and white.
Maybe. Remember, concrete does two things - it gets hard and cracks.
Any concrete is subject to cracking.
However, if the concrete is reinforced properly the cracking will be minimal or hairline.
If the concrete is not reinforced properly you will get separation and upheaval.
Our concrete specifications usually deter cracking or limit it to hairline cracking at the most.
Maybe. The concrete is subject to movement by what happens underneath it.
If the subgrade is not prepared properly movement could occur.
Also, moisture introduced into the subgrade could affect the concrete.
We do everything possible to minimize this movement by providing a good cushion sand subgrade and the addition of piers and beams as necessary.
No, your concrete project will be engineered to move water off of the surface either by gravity drainage or the use of a drain system.
We minimize the amount of slope so that your surface remains relatively flat yet affective.
Therefore, slight ponding may occur in larger areas or around drainage systems.
On a normal sunny day it will disappear within minutes.
Each project is different and usually produces drainage issues.
Drainage is our specialty and we can take care of it for you.
In most cases simple surface grading will suffice.
If not, we can incorporate a drainage system to deal with the situation.
Concrete is poured in a liquid form.
After it hardens the curing process takes place.
This curing process will take a while and result in color variations or "mottling" on the surface of your concrete.
In time the concrete will cure out resulting in a more even appearance.
Also, please note that Colored Concrete is subject to mottling.
Each project is different so we have to be flexible.
Large vehicles such as dump trucks, bobcat tractors, and concrete trucks are needed to construct your project.
Ideally we need to stage within 50 ft. of the project site.
If you do not have a designated access for us to use we will advise you.
Realize that if access is denied (over 100') an additional charge may be incurred for accessing from the street.
It is your responsibility to mark or relocate all underground lines.
Your local underground utility service contractor can take care of this usually at no charge.
We will be as careful as possible around these marked areas but not be responsible for anything not seen form a visual inspection of the surface.
Furthermore, by code most underground lines should be buried at least 12" below the surface so any lines not marked or compliant with this will not be our responsibility.
It is your responsibility to move and repair any landscaping during the construction of your project.
We will minimize the damage to your landscaping by limiting our involvement to the access area and adjacent areas around the project site.
Concrete is a durable and long lasting surface that you should enjoy and appreciate for years.
All of the concrete surfaces we provide require virtually no maintenance short of just occasionally washing off with a water hose.
However, please note that surfaces that have a sealer applied will occasionally require resealing.
This could occur within a couple of years depending on the type of project (vehicular traffic vs. pedestrian traffic) and the amount of usage and traffic your project will be subject to within a year.
Yes. We can cap an existing concrete surface as long as we have a minimum pour of 1".
Usually capping an existing patio may result in drainage issue that you will be responsible for.
Furthermore, we cannot guarantee the results to be free of flaws due to the unpredictable drying and curing of the concrete on the existing surface.
Also, note that any cracks on the existing concrete below will probably transfer up thru the new pour.
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