Concrete Contractor in Irvine, CA - Driveways, Patios and Walks on a Packed Base
D&M Placentia Concrete Construction is a concrete contractor based in Placentia that pours driveways, patios, walks, steps and pool decks for Irvine homeowners, with our own crew doing the work and me on site.
Concrete work for Irvine homes
Irvine is one of the cities around Placentia where we pour the everyday concrete a lived-in house needs: driveways, patios, walks and steps. The city says it has worked to balance development with the natural environment ever since it incorporated. It also runs its own permits and business licenses, so a little planning before the pour goes a long way here.
Most of the price comes down to the size of the slab, how much old concrete we break out and haul away, how much digging and packing the base needs, and the finish you choose. The schedule turns on whether the city wants a permit, when our crew is free and the curing time, the days fresh concrete needs to harden before it takes your weight. I'll measure and put your numbers in writing at the estimate.
What I check before we pour
Before I price anything, I want to see what the old concrete sits on and where your water goes. The subgrade, the dirt and gravel under the slab, is hidden the day we pour, so it's the first thing people want to cut. If the budget gets tight, I'd rather trim the finish than the base, because a nice top on soft ground settles and cracks anyway.
- A soft base. Where the old base was just raked level instead of dug out and packed, the slab sinks with the dirt and the cracks follow.
- Water running back. When a slab falls toward the house, rain and sprinkler water pool against the wall, so we check the slope and where the water runs first.
- Joints cut late. Control joints are the cuts that tell a slab where to crack, and if they're cut late or skipped, it cracks wherever it likes.
Driveways, patios and pool decks in Irvine
Most driveway calls start with a crack that keeps growing, a slab that's sunk at the garage lip or a surface that's chipping and dusty. When it's past patching, we break out the old concrete, dig down to firm ground, pack a fresh base and pour a new slab, usually with rebar, the steel rods that hold the pieces together if it ever cracks. A light broom finish on top gives tires and shoes some grip.
Out back it's patios, walks and concrete pool decks, where people want the pooling water and the slick spots gone. We pour early in the day when we can, because concrete finished in the midday heat can end up weak and dusty on top. Since you live there, we keep the kids, the dog and the sprinklers in mind the whole time.
Coming down to Irvine from Placentia
We're based in Placentia and work across the cities around it, including Irvine, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. To set up a visit, call (714) 798-2825 or use the form below, and I'll come out myself to look the spot over with you. Our own crew does the work, and I'm on site while they do it.
Tell us about your slab
Tell us what you want poured and what's there now, and we'll get back to you within one business day to set up a time to look.
(714) 798-2825- Free estimate at your property
- Measured and put in writing
- No obligation to book
Concrete questions in Irvine
Does a new concrete driveway or patio in Irvine need a permit?
It might, so check with the city before anything gets poured. The City of Irvine Community Development Department issues permits for most construction and repair work the codes cover, and its permit line at (949) 724-6313 takes questions about whether your job needs one. If it does, we handle the application and set up the inspections.
How do I apply for a building permit online in Irvine?
New online permit applications in Irvine go through the city's PermitsDIRECT! system, run on Symbium. On a concrete job with us you usually won't need to touch it, because when a permit is needed we file the application, set up the inspections and tell you which office it goes through.
Does my concrete contractor need a California state license?
Yes, in most cases. The Contractors State License Board requires a license when the job needs a building permit, uses employees or comes to $1,000 or more in labor and materials, which takes in most driveways and patios. We're licensed and insured, and it's fair to ask any contractor to show you theirs.
Do contractors need an Irvine business license to work in the city?
Yes. Irvine requires every organization operating in the city to get a business license and keep it current before doing business there, and that includes contractors based in other cities. It's a reasonable thing to ask about when you're comparing bids.
Will my new concrete driveway crack like the old one did?
It can still crack, since all concrete does, but a well-built slab usually cracks where it's meant to and stays level. We dig out and pack the base, check where the water runs and cut control joints on time, so a crack lands in a joint instead of wandering across the driveway.