Frequently Asked Questions

We have not found a reliable Illinois-only figure. HomeGuide's national cost guide lists standard concrete driveways at $6 to $10 per square foot installed and $2,400 to $6,000 for a 20 by 20 foot two-car drive. Removing an old driveway adds $2 to $6 per square foot. Your measured, written quote is the real number for your driveway.

HomeGuide lists a 10 by 20 foot, 200-square-foot driveway at $1,200 to $3,000 at standard to basic quality. In Joliet, the 6-inch minimum at the apron and sidewalk crossing, tear-out and grading can push a small job toward the top of that range.

The City of Joliet's driveway and sidewalk permit page asks for a plat of survey marked with the flatwork, even for a same-size replacement, plus an installation plan and cost estimate. When a contractor does the work, the contractor pulls the permit. We file it as part of the job.

Per the city's permit page, concrete driveways must be at least 4 inches thick with wire mesh, and approaches and sidewalk crossings must be 6 inches with wire mesh. We often go thicker where trucks, trailers or campers park.

Usually, within limits. Joliet caps a residential driveway at 20 feet wide at the front property line, allows an existing driveway to be extended only toward the side property line, and requires driveways to stay out of easements. Changes to the apron need Public Works approval.

Concrete work is not free, but the estimate is. We measure on site and give you a written, itemized quote at no charge and with no obligation.

That is scaling. Water in the top layer freezes and expands, and salt adds more freeze-thaw cycles and keeps the surface wet. Concrete without entrained air, slabs that were overworked during finishing and slabs salted in their first winter are most at risk. Light scaling on a sound slab can be resurfaced; deep, widespread scaling usually means replacement.

HomeGuide's driveway guide says foot traffic is fine after 24 to 48 hours, cars should wait at least 7 days, and full strength takes 28 to 30 days, which is the safe wait for heavy vehicles. We give you dates for your slab and that week's weather.

HomeGuide's guide gives 30 to 40 years for a well-built, maintained concrete driveway. In a freeze-thaw climate, the base, air-entrained concrete, sealing and your choice of de-icer decide where in that range it ends up.

We rarely recommend it. An overlay on a cracked, sunken drive takes on the same cracks and settling, and it raises the surface at the garage and the street. Removing the old slab and rebuilding the base is the reliable fix.

No. The city's permit page says driveways must be concrete, asphalt or brick pavers, and gravel is not allowed.

Joliet's permit page says that when a contractor does the work, the contractor must pull the permit. We handle it, including the marked plat of survey and the installation plan.

HomeGuide says at least 7 days for cars and the full 28 to 30 day cure for heavy vehicles. We give you exact dates.

HomeGuide's patio guide gives 30 to 50 years for plain, stained and stamped concrete patios with regular maintenance. Here, drainage and resealing matter most.

Joliet lists patios among the projects that need a plat of survey for a permit, including same-size replacements. We prepare and file it with the city. In nearby villages the rules differ, so we check your address.

HomeGuide says 4 inches is standard for a residential patio, and 6 inches with added reinforcement for a hot tub or outdoor kitchen.

Yes, with an isolation joint between the slab and the foundation and a slope that carries water away from the wall.

HomeGuide lists stamped patios at $9 to $30 per square foot nationally, with the range driven by pattern, colors and borders. A simple one-color ashlar patio sits near the low end; multi-color custom work runs higher. Your measured quote is the real price.

It can be when wet, especially with a glossy sealer. We can add a grit additive to the sealer and pick a textured pattern for steps, pool decks and walks.

Typically every few years, depending on sun, traffic and salt exposure. We leave you a schedule for your slab.

Any concrete can crack. We place control joints within the pattern lines so cracks follow joints instead of running across the design.

The city's permit page says private sidewalks must stay out of all easements, and where there are none, they may sit at least 3 feet from the property line.

Joliet's permit page notes that public sidewalk work may require Public Works approval. Call the city to report a damaged public walk; for the private walk and stoop, we can quote the work.

If it is in one piece and only settled, leveling can work. If it has cracked through, is crumbling or has pulled well away from the house, replacement on a proper footing is the lasting fix.

HomeGuide's driveway guide puts foot traffic at 24 to 48 hours for new concrete. We give you dates for your job.

HomeGuide lists two-car garage floors at 4 to 6 inches, typically reinforced. We go thicker where heavy trucks or equipment will park.

Usually, yes. We break out the old floor in sections, remove it and pour a new one inside the walls. Access and the condition of the walls and footings affect the plan, so we look first.

HomeGuide notes most shed slabs are about 4 inches and typically do not need reinforcement. We still put down a compacted stone base so the pad stays level.

HomeGuide's slab guide says to wait 1 to 2 weeks before driving on a new slab. We give you a date based on the mix and the weather.

HomeGuide says mudjacking typically lasts 5 to 7 years with proper drainage, and leveled concrete overall 5 to 10 years or more depending on method and soil.

Foam is lighter, needs smaller holes and, per HomeGuide, often lasts longest, but it costs more per square foot. We recommend one or the other based on the slab and the soil.

Not usually. Sealing keeps water out and slows damage, but filled cracks remain visible. Resurfacing can hide small cracks on a sound slab.

Replacing driveway panels falls under the city's driveway permit process. Leveling and crack sealing generally do not change the driveway, but we confirm for your job.