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The honest answer to “how much does concrete repair cost?” is that it depends on the slab. Two driveways the same size can be very different jobs. One needs three cracks filled. The other has a sunken section, roots under it and a surface worn to gravel. This guide explains what moves the price so you can tell a fair quote from a low one that leaves things out.
We do not post flat prices because a number without a site visit is a guess. What we do is look at the concrete in person and give you a free written estimate that lists every part of the work.
What affects the cost of concrete repair?
These are the things that change a price the most:
- Size. Most work is priced by the square foot or, for cracks, by the linear foot. Bigger areas cost more in total but less per foot.
- Depth of the damage. Surface wear is cheaper to fix than damage that goes through the slab or into the steel.
- Prep. Grinding, removing old coatings, treating stains and cutting out weak concrete all add labor.
- Removal and hauling. Breaking out concrete and trucking it away is a big part of any replacement.
- Access. A tight side yard or a back patio with no way in for equipment takes longer than an open driveway.
- Finish. A plain broom finish costs less than a stamped pattern, a stain or a full flake coating.
- Minimum job size. Very small repairs still need a crew, tools and a trip, so they have a minimum charge.
- Permits. Jobs that need a permit include the fee and the time to get it.
Driveway repair cost
Concrete driveway repair ranges from filling a few cracks to replacing whole sections. Crack filling and small patches are at the low end. Resurfacing the full driveway is in the middle. Cutting out and re-pouring sunken sections costs the most per square foot because it includes demolition, base work and new concrete. If roots or drainage caused the damage, fixing that is part of the price.
Concrete resurfacing cost
Concrete resurfacing usually costs a fraction of what replacing the same slab would. The base price covers cleaning, crack repair and a standard textured finish. Patterns, borders, more than one color and stain work add to it. A slab that needs a lot of repair before the new surface goes on will cost more than one in good shape.
Garage floor coating cost
A garage floor coating is priced by the size of the floor, the system and the condition of the slab. A two-car garage costs more than a one-car garage in total, though less per square foot. Full flake systems with a polyaspartic top coat cost more than a basic epoxy floor. Cracks, pits and old paint that has to be ground off all add prep time.
Concrete sealing cost
Concrete sealing is one of the lowest cost services per square foot. The price includes cleaning and the sealer. Heavy stain treatment, stripping an old failed sealer, and decorative concrete that needs two coats will raise it.
Crack repair cost
Concrete crack repair is priced mostly by the length of the cracks and how wide and deep they are. Routing the crack and using a quality sealant costs more than pouring in a liquid filler, and it lasts far longer. A handful of cracks is a small job.
Spalling repair cost
Spalling concrete repair costs more per square foot than other patching because of the steps involved: removing weak concrete, cleaning and coating the steel, and rebuilding with repair mortar. The damaged area is usually bigger than it looks, so the price is set after we tap out the full extent.
Sidewalk, patio and step repair cost
Grinding down a trip lip is quick and inexpensive. Replacing sidewalk panels is priced per panel or per square foot. For sidewalk, patio and step repair, steps cost more than flat work for their size because of the forming and hand finishing.
What makes a job cost more than expected?
Three things, mostly. First, hidden damage. Flaking concrete and hollow spots usually go further than what shows, and it takes tapping and sometimes opening the area to find the edges. Second, the cause. If roots or washed-out soil are behind the damage, dealing with them adds work that a simple patch quote would not include. Third, access and protection. Tight side yards, long carries for materials, and finished surfaces that need covering all take time.
A careful estimate names these risks up front. A quote that ignores them tends to grow once the job starts.
What does a low quote leave out?
Usually the prep. Grinding a garage floor, routing cracks, cleaning and coating rusted steel, compacting the base under a new section, and letting concrete dry before sealing are all easy to skip and impossible to see once the job is done. They are also what decide whether the work lasts. When one quote is far below the others, ask each company to describe its prep step by step.
How can I keep the cost down?
* Fix problems early. Small cracks and small flaking spots are small jobs. * Combine work. One visit for several repairs avoids paying the minimum more than once. * Choose a simple finish. A broom or spray texture costs less than patterns and multiple colors. * Clear the area before we arrive so no time is spent moving things. * Keep concrete sealed so it needs less repair in the first place.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace concrete?
Repair is cheaper nearly every time, as long as the slab is solid. The chart below compares the three options. Where people lose money is paying for a repair on a slab that should have been replaced, or paying for a full replacement when two sections and a new surface would have done it.
How to get an accurate concrete repair quote
1. Have the concrete looked at in person. Photos help us prepare, but they do not show hollow spots or movement. 2. Ask what caused the damage and how the repair deals with it. 3. Get the scope in writing: what is being repaired, with what, and what is not included. 4. Ask about prep. It is the first thing a low bid skips. 5. Compare quotes that cover the same work. A crack fill and a crack fill plus resurfacing are not the same job.
Our page on choosing a concrete contractor in Fort Lauderdale has more questions to ask. When you are ready, request a free concrete repair quote.