Concrete you can drive, walk and build on in Sherwood, OR

The price depends on the size of the slab, how much digging and base work the ground needs, how easy it is to get the truck in, and the finish you pick. A plain broom finish costs less than stamped or colored concrete, and tearing out an old slab adds labor and hauling. I'll give you your own number once I've seen the site.

Save on the finish, not the base. The base is hidden on day one, so it's the first thing a tight bid cuts, but a base that's only raked level instead of dug out and packed tends to settle with the dirt and take the slab down with it. You can dress up a plain slab later, but fixing a bad base means tearing it out.

You can usually walk on it well before you can drive on it, because curing, the slow hardening that gives concrete its strength, keeps going long after the surface looks dry. I'll tell you when to expect foot traffic and when the car can go back on for your own pour.

Yes, in general Oregon law requires anyone paid for construction work that improves land or buildings to be licensed by the state's Construction Contractors Board. The state also requires contractors to carry general liability insurance, and we're fully licensed and insured.

It depends on the job, so it's worth asking before anything gets poured. For detached houses and duplexes, Oregon law requires local permits for new construction and structural changes, and whoever does the work, homeowner or contractor, is responsible for getting them. Permit and zoning questions go to your local building department. We talk through permits at the estimate, agree on who applies before work starts and help with the paperwork when your project needs it.

Yes, our promise is satisfaction guaranteed. I'm on the job from the estimate through the final walk-through, so if something about the finished work bothers you, you can raise it with the person who poured it.

It may get a few fine cracks, since concrete shrinks as it dries, but a packed base and joints cut on time help keep cracks small and in the places we chose. We also plan pours to avoid midday heat when we can, because a slab that dries too fast can end up with a weak, dusty top.

Type your address into Oregon's HazVu hazard viewer to see hazards that might affect it, including landslide, earthquake soft soil, active faults and flooding. The state says its maps give general information and aren't meant to replace an investigation of your specific site. If something shows up, mention it at the estimate, especially for a foundation, footings or a retaining wall, so we can talk about what it means for your job.