Concrete & Masonry

the guide

Built for freeze and thaw

Winters here cycle above and below freezing many times. Exterior concrete should be air-entrained, placed on a compacted stone base, jointed to control cracking, sloped to drain, and cured properly.

What affects the price

Area and thickness, demolition and haul-away of old material, base preparation, finish (broom, exposed aggregate, stamped), and access for trucks.

Care

Keep de-icing salt off new concrete for its first winter, seal decorative surfaces every two to three years, and keep downspouts from discharging onto slabs.

Rules and paperwork in Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most contractors who perform home improvements to register with the Attorney General’s office and to give you a written contract for any job over $500. The registration number belongs on the estimate and the contract — ask for it.
• Building permits in Pennsylvania are issued under the Uniform Construction Code by each municipality or the inspection agency it appoints, so the local building or codes office decides what needs a permit and an inspection.
• Pennsylvania law requires a call to 811 (PA One Call) at least three business days before digging, so buried utilities can be marked.

Sources: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code; Pennsylvania One Call System. Rules change — confirm current requirements with the agency and with your municipality.

Questions to ask before you hire

1. What base and thickness will you install?
2. Where will control joints go?
3. Is the mix air-entrained, and how will it be cured?
4. What is your Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration number?

Frequently asked questions