When you hire a concrete contractor in Lakewood, the most important question is how they will handle the ground under your slab. Parts of Lakewood, especially toward Green Mountain on the west side, have expansive soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry, and that movement is what cracks and lifts driveways, patios and garage floors. Here is what to ask, from Golden Concrete Company, which pours residential concrete in Lakewood from our base next door in Golden.
Start with the base, not the price
Two quotes for the same driveway can differ by thousands of dollars, and the difference is often what happens before any concrete is poured. Ask each contractor:
- How much soil will you remove, and what will you replace it with?
- How will you compact it?
- How will you set the slope so water drains away from the house?
On our jobs, most replacements need some soil under the old slab removed and replaced with crushed gravel or recycled concrete, compacted well so the new slab moves as little as possible. A quote that skips this step can look cheaper and cost more later.
What a complete quote should include
- Square footage, slab thickness (typically 4 inches) and the concrete mix
- Tear-out and haul-away
- Base preparation and reinforcement
- Finish (broom, sand-finished or stamped), control joints and sealing
- Whether a permit is needed and who handles it
- Payment terms and warranty
For reference, our driveway replacements typically run $12.50 to $13.50 per square foot including tear-out, and new driveways $10.50 to $11.50. Our driveway cost guide has worked examples.
Credentials to confirm
- Business license for the city
- General liability insurance, which covers damage to your property
- Workers’ compensation, which covers the crew if someone is hurt on your job
- A written warranty. Ours covers shifting or cracking of the concrete for 12 months.
Older Lakewood neighborhoods vs. Green Mountain
Lakewood stretches from older neighborhoods near Denver to the slopes of Green Mountain. In the older areas, the work is mostly replacing original driveways, walks and patios that have settled or flaked. Toward Green Mountain, soil movement and slope matter more, so drainage and base preparation deserve extra attention. Either way, ask how your contractor will handle both. More on our Lakewood concrete contractor page.
Payment, permits and scheduling
A deposit to get on the schedule is normal; paying in full before work starts is not. Our terms are 50% up front and 50% when the job is done and you are happy with it, and we accept credit cards. Most residential driveways do not need a permit, but a new entrance from the street or a changed curb cut affects the public right-of-way and needs one from the city. We can help you pull it. We typically schedule 3 to 4 weeks out from April through October and 1 to 2 weeks out in the off season.
Questions to ask before you sign
- How will you prepare the base, given the soil here?
- What thickness and mix will you pour, and what reinforcement?
- Can I see proof of insurance?
- What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
- What is the deposit, and when is the balance due?
Hiring in Arvada instead? See our Arvada hiring guide. Browse finished work in the project gallery, or read the concrete FAQ.
Planning a project in Lakewood? Visit our Lakewood concrete contractor page, call (720) 636-8986, or request a free concrete quote and we will call you back to schedule a free concrete consultation.