Concrete driveway building in Arlington WA - a slab that drains away from the house
Cracked, sinking or puddled driveway? We dig out and pack the base, grade it away from the house, then pour a slab for daily traffic.
Concrete driveway building in Arlington starts below the surface, because a slab is only as good as the ground it sits on. Most old driveways we replace are cracked, sunk at one end or holding water by the garage. That usually goes back to a base that was raked level instead of dug out and packed. We fix the ground first.
The price moves mostly with size, how much digging and base work the ground needs, and the finish you pick. That runs from a plain broom finish, the light texture that keeps tires from slipping, to stamped concrete. The schedule turns on the weather and on how long cars have to stay off the new slab. I measure all of that on site and put it in a written estimate.
How we build a concrete driveway
- Base packed before forms. We dig out soft dirt and grade the subgrade, the ground the slab sits on, so water runs away from the house. Then we pack it evenly before any forms go in.
- Joints where cracks belong. Concrete shrinks as it dries, so we cut control joints, straight grooves that give it a place to crack, before it picks a spot on its own.
- I'm the one who comes out. I look over your driveway myself before the estimate. Our crew and I do the work, and we bring in an engineer or another trade when a job needs one.
- Commercial planning since 2023. I started here in 2023 after years pouring commercial slabs and parking lots, and I plan a driveway the same way, long before the first truck shows up.
- Fully licensed and insured. We're fully licensed and insured, and the FAQ below shows how to look up any Washington contractor before you sign anything.
Why old driveways crack and sink
| Problem | What it looks like | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sinking slab | What it looks like: One end or a corner has dropped below the garage floor | Usual fix: Tear out, dig to firm ground and pack a new base |
| Water running the wrong way | What it looks like: Puddles sit by the garage or water runs toward the house | Usual fix: Regrade the base so water drains away from the house |
| Cracks in odd places | What it looks like: Cracks wander across the slab instead of following the cut lines | Usual fix: New slab with control joints cut on time |
| Dusty, chipping surface | What it looks like: The top flakes, chips or leaves grit on your shoes | Usual fix: Replace it and pour outside the midday heat |
Patch, replace a section or start over
- Patch and seal. If the slab is still level and the cracks are thin, filling and sealing them buys you time. I'll tell you when that's all you need.
- Replace a section. When one panel has sunk but the rest sits firm, we cut it out at the joints, rebuild the base underneath and pour that piece new.
- Full new driveway. When it's sinking in several places or draining toward the house, we tear it out and start from the base. If money's tight, skimp on the finish, not the prep.
How your driveway job runs
- Call or message. You call (360) 474-2804 or send the form, and we get back to you to set a time for me to come out.
- Site visit and estimate. I look over the site and ask how you'll use the driveway. Then I send a written estimate that says plainly what's in it and what isn't.
- Permits and layout. We check what the city's Building Services Division wants and tell you what we'll file and what falls to you. Then we pick which of the city's driveway drawings fits.
- Base, pour and cure. Our crew packs the base, pours and cuts joints, then covers the slab if rain moves in while it cures, the slow hardening that gives it strength.
- Walkthrough and parking. We walk the finished driveway with you and plan where the cars go until it's ready, so nobody parks on it too soon.
Keeping your driveway sound for years
Most of what keeps a driveway sound happens before the pour, in the base and the joints. After that, give it the full wait before you drive on it. For the first winter, one concrete trade group advises using sand for traction instead of deicing chemicals.
We pour driveways for homeowners in Arlington and for small business owners who need a lot or a pad. We work the cities around it, from Everett up into the Skagit Valley and out to Camano. If a concrete patio is on your list too, ask about both when you call for an estimate.
Tell us about your driveway
Tell us what's there now, what's wrong with it and roughly where you are. We reply within one business day to set a time for me to come measure.
(360) 474-2804- Free on-site estimate
- What's in it and what isn't
- No pressure to book
Driveway questions we hear often
How much does a concrete driveway cost near Arlington, WA?
A concrete driveway in the Seattle metro area usually costs about $8 to $20 per square foot. Where yours lands depends on the size, how much digging and base work the ground needs, and the finish. Your written estimate spells out what's included.
How soon can I drive on a new concrete driveway?
One concrete trade group says to keep cars off new concrete for at least 7 days. Walking on it usually comes sooner. We'll help you plan where to park until then.
Who handles permits for a driveway in Arlington, WA?
We do the checking before your job goes on the schedule. The city's building office reviews, issues and inspects development permits. Its permit list names civil, grading and right-of-way work, not driveways, so we ask rather than guess and tell you where yours stands.
How do I check that a concrete contractor is registered in Washington?
Search the company in the Verify a Contractor tool from the state Department of Labor & Industries. Washington requires every construction contractor to register with L&I and to be bonded and insured. If a company isn't listed, it shouldn't be pouring your driveway.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
One concrete trade group says concrete driveways hold up to traffic year after year, often for over 30 years. How long yours lasts depends mostly on the base under it, which is why we start there.