Services Offered by Concrete Companies
Concrete contractors can handle both simple repairs and major renovations. We'll explain different services they offer in the following sections.
Concrete Cleaning
Concrete cleaning tackles stains, grime, dirt, and contaminants. It also prevents deterioration from trapped pollutants, prolonging the life span of your sidewalks and driveway. Concrete cleaning done right takes the right skill and equipment to cleanly remove stains without compromising durability. Companies use a combination of pressure washing, chemical treatments, and scrubbing to renew the original sheen and color of the concrete.
Concrete Pouring
Durable and functional driveways and patios begin with a proper pouring job. Experienced concrete technicians must ensure the concrete sets evenly and appropriately, attaches correctly, and gets to the desired strength. Before they begin to pour, concrete technicians must find the ideal mix based on your job's size and Philadelphia's weather conditions. Shaking and smoothing techniques can help remove trapped air for a even surface.
Concrete Reinforcement
Reinforced concrete can better withstand environmental stressors and heavy loads. It's also at lower risk of cracking and deforming. The most common way to reinforce concrete is for your installer to add steel bars or meshes to the poured concrete.
Concrete Sealing
Applying a protective sealant or coating to concrete adds protection against UV radiation, moisture, chemicals, abrasion, and freeze-thaw cycles. An even application will help the coating adhere properly and work to its full potential. Stronger concrete lasts longer before needing repairs. Using a sealant will protect your investment aesthetically and structurally.
Concrete Repair
Concrete companies have the expertise to assess deteriorating or damaged driveways, paths, and patios. This includes problems with cracking, spalling, and eroding. The most common causes of concrete issues in Philadelphia are wear and tear, environmental factors, and improper initial construction. A crew can use epoxy injections, patching, resurfacing, or rebar replacement to extend the concrete's life span.
Choosing The Right Philadelphia, PA Concrete Company
To select the right Philadelphia concrete contractor, weigh the key elements that lead to a successful project. These include:
- Cost: Price shouldn't be your sole determining factor. Instead, try to find a team that achieves the right balance between price and good quality work. We suggest getting at least three different bids from different companies to compare.
- Licensing and insurance: In Pennsylvania, concrete company licensing are largely up to cities and counties. Before you sign a contract, we strongly recommend contacting the Philadelphia building office to learn more about local regulations. You should also ask each company about its liability insurance coverage, which can protect you if a mishap arises.
- Portfolio: Next, ask each company for a print or online portfolio. The more projects a contractor has completed, the more skilled they'll be working with concrete, taking care of issues, and getting jobs done in an efficient manner.
- Reviews: Check customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google Reviews, and try to find information on how the company communicates project status with customers and schedules work.
- Trade group membership: Trade groups offer certifications and accreditations showing that contractors follow professional standards and best practices. The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) are two of the most respected.
- Warranties: A quality concrete contractor will offer strong warranties for materials and labor, putting faith in its own rigorous approach and attention to detail. Ask each company about warranty terms before you make your final decision, and beware of hidden fine print.
Cost to Hire a Concrete Company
Concrete project costs depend on various factors, including dimensions and difficulty, location, and type of concrete used. Concrete typically costs $125 per cubic yard nationwide, with most concrete companies charging between $110 and $165 per cubic yard.*
A full truckload of concrete for major residential jobs, like driveway replacement, typically costs around $1,025–$1,395. Labor for pouring is $8–$18 per square foot. These rates are for plain concrete only. Stamping, staining, and decorative finishes will increase the cost.
*Cost figures sourced from 2022 reports from multiple sources, including Concrete Network and LawnStarter.