Frequently Asked Questions

Get two or three written bids and compare more than the total. Each should state slab thickness, base depth, reinforcement, joint layout, finish and who pulls the permit. Ask how the bidder plans for clay soil and drainage, since that is what cracks most slabs here. If the job touches the public sidewalk or curb, ask who applies for the city permit.

Mostly because of the soil. Clay common in central Oklahoma swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and Norman gets heavy spring rain followed by 90-degree summers. Slabs on a thin or missing base, without reinforcement or with too few joints, crack and shift as the ground moves. A compacted stone base, rebar, good drainage and planned joints keep that movement under control.

Yes, for most homes. The City of Norman Sidewalk Program and Policy says repair and replacement of residential sidewalks is the abutting property owner's responsibility. The city handles sidewalks along arterial streets next to homes, near parks and drainage easements, and in areas it deems its own responsibility. The 50/50 Program can cover up to half the cost while funds last.

HomeGuide's national driveway guide lists standard concrete at $6 to $10 a square foot installed, or $2,400 to $6,000 for a 20 by 20 foot two-car driveway. Removing an old driveway adds $2 to $6 a square foot. Prices in the Norman area can run higher or lower, so the written estimate after we measure is the real number.

Sidewalk work always does: the city's policy says a sidewalk permit is required for all sidewalk construction, and a contractor working in the right-of-way applies for an offsite construction permit. Storm shelters need a permit before they go in. For other jobs we confirm the requirements with Development Services, (405) 366-5339, before we start.

Spring and fall are the easiest, with mild temperatures that let the concrete cure evenly. Summer pours work if they start early in the morning and the slab is cured properly. Winter pours need nights above freezing or insulated blankets, and we avoid days with heavy rain or storms in the forecast.

Often, yes. If the slab is in one piece and has dropped without breaking up, leveling can lift it back into place for less than replacement. If it is badly cracked, crumbling or keeps sinking because the soil underneath is washing out, replacement with a better base is usually the better buy.

Walking is generally fine after a day or two. HomeGuide says to keep cars off for at least 7 days and heavy vehicles off until the 28 to 30 day cure is done. We give you exact dates based on the mix and the weather that week.

HomeGuide's cost table lists 30 to 40 years for a well-built, maintained concrete driveway. In Norman the base, the reinforcement, drainage and how evenly the soil stays moist decide where in that range a driveway ends up.

HomeGuide puts the minimum at 4 inches for cars and 5 to 6 inches for RVs or heavy vehicles, with edges of 6 to 8 inches. On clay soil we lean toward the thicker end where heavier vehicles park and at the approach.

We rarely recommend it. New concrete over a cracked, sunken driveway picks up the same cracks and movement, and it raises the surface at the garage door and the curb. Removing the old slab and building a proper base lasts longer.

Possibly, if your home is in the Core Area, has curb and gutter, and has a gravel or badly damaged driveway. The Driveway Repair Program scores applications after the end of April and denies any where demolition has already happened, so apply first by calling Engineering at (405) 366-5315.

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

HomeGuide lists 4 inches as standard for a residential patio, and 6 inches with extra reinforcement under hot tubs or outdoor kitchens. On clay soil the stone base underneath matters as much as the thickness.

HomeGuide gives 30 to 50 years for a properly installed and maintained patio. Good drainage and a solid base push it toward the long end.

Yes, if the existing slab is level and sound. We dowel the new section into the old one and put a joint between them. A cracked or tilted slab is usually better replaced so the whole patio sits on the same base.

Lighter colors absorb less sun than dark ones, so tans, buffs and light grays are more comfortable underfoot on a hot afternoon. We can show you color samples on the measuring visit.

It can be when wet, mostly because of the sealer. We add an anti-slip grit to the sealer on pool decks, steps and sloped walks.

Any concrete on clay soil can crack. We use the same stone base, reinforcement and planned joints as on plain slabs and place the joints along pattern lines so they are hard to see.

Every few years in most cases, more often in full sun or heavy traffic. HomeGuide's driveway guide suggests resealing decorative concrete every 2 to 3 years.

If it is sound, a stamped overlay can go over it. If it has large cracks, has sunk or is crumbling, replacement is the better choice.

The property owner, in most cases. The city's policy puts repair and replacement of residential sidewalks on the abutting owner. The 50/50 Program can cover up to half the cost while funds last.

You have 30 days to make the repair. If it is not done, the city can bring an emergency resolution to the City Council, give the owner 3 more days, then do the work itself and assess the cost against the property.

Yes. The city requires a sidewalk permit for all sidewalk construction. Fees are waived for sidewalk and curb repairs, and the contractor applies for an offsite construction permit.

The City of Norman Sidewalks page lists its own cost of replacing a 4-foot-wide sidewalk at $32 to $42 per linear foot, varying by project. Your price depends on access, removal and the condition of the base.

Usually the best fix is to remove the old steps, build a firm base and pour new ones with steel tied in. Patching the gap rarely lasts if the steps are still moving.

Yes. The old floor is broken out and removed in pieces, the base is rebuilt and a new reinforced floor is poured with the walls standing.

HomeGuide's slab guide says most two-car garage floors are 4 to 6 inches thick and reinforced. Shops with lifts or heavy equipment need more, which we plan from what will sit on the floor.

HomeGuide says to wait 1 to 2 weeks before driving on a new slab, and full cure takes 28 days or more. We give you dates for your floor.

Yes. The City of Norman requires a permit before a storm shelter or safe room is installed, through its Online Permit Portal or Permit Services at 405-366-5311. The city also asks owners to register their shelter.

Both lift slabs. Mudjacking costs less and uses a heavier cement slurry; foam uses smaller holes, weighs less and cures faster but costs more. We recommend one based on the slab, the soil and your budget.

HomeGuide says 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the method and the soil. Fixing the drainage that caused the sinking makes the biggest difference.

Yes. Cracks can be cleaned and sealed to keep water out. If a crack is wide, uneven or keeps growing, it may be a sign of deeper movement, and lifting or replacing that section may be the better fix.

When most of the slab is broken up, sinking in several places, crumbling or sloping water toward the house. We price both so you can compare.