Concrete steps construction in Arlington WA - steps that sit level on solid ground
Cracked, tipping or sinking front steps? We build new concrete steps on evenly packed ground, with landings and a rail planned from the start.
Concrete steps construction in Arlington, WA usually starts with a step that rocks, a stoop pulling away from the house or an edge that's crumbling. Most of the time the concrete isn't the real problem. The ground under it settled unevenly, so the steps tipped and cracked, and that's why I start with the ground, not the forms.
The price comes down to how many steps you need, how wide they are, whether there's old concrete to break out and haul away, and whether the layout needs landings and a rail. The schedule turns on the weather, because we pick the pour date with the chance of a hard freeze in mind. If the steps tie into a new house, we plan them alongside the foundation installation. I'll measure on site and put your figure in a written estimate.
How we build concrete steps in Arlington
- Evenly packed ground. The subgrade, the soil your steps sit on, gets compacted to the same firmness all the way across, because uneven support is what lets one side sink and crack.
- A surface less likely to flake. Dense concrete with entrained air, tiny bubbles that give freezing water room, placed and cured well, is less likely to flake, so ask each bidder how they handle the mix and curing.
- I come out myself. I come out to look at the job myself, then our crew and I do the work, bringing in an engineer or another trade when a job calls for one.
- Planned like a bigger job. I started this business in Arlington in 2023 after years pouring slabs and footings for a big commercial outfit, where every job got planned before the first truck showed up.
- Licensed and insured in Washington. Washington requires every construction contractor to register with the state Department of Labor & Industries, and we're fully licensed and insured. Check any bidder's registration there before you accept a bid.
Why old steps fail
| Problem | What it looks like | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Settled steps | What it looks like: One side sits lower, the step rocks, or a gap opens at the house | Usual fix: Break out, pack the ground evenly, pour new steps |
| Cracks across the treads | What it looks like: Cracks running across steps, or corners and edges breaking off | Usual fix: Seal small cracks, rebuild if the ground moved |
| Flaking surface | What it looks like: Top layer peeling, chipping or turning rough and pitted after winter | Usual fix: Resurface if solid, rebuild if flaking runs deep |
| Water at the door | What it looks like: Puddles on the landing or water running back toward the house | Usual fix: Rebuild with a slight fall away from the house |
Repair, resurface or rebuild
- Patch and seal. If the steps sit level and only have hairline cracks or a chipped edge, patching and sealing may be all you need, and I'll tell you so.
- Resurface. When the top is flaking but the steps don't rock or lean, a thin new bonded layer can give you a fresh surface without breaking out the old concrete.
- Tear out and rebuild. Sunken steps, or steps pulled away from the house, get broken out and poured new on packed ground, and we can plan them with the slab foundation for an addition.
How a steps job runs
- Call or send the form. Call or send the form, and we get back to you to set a time for me to come look.
- Site visit. I look over the ground and the house, measure, and ask how you use the entry, like whether someone needs a rail to hold onto.
- Written estimate. You get a written estimate that says plainly what's in it and what isn't, so you can compare bids on the same terms.
- Settle the plan. Before the pour we agree on the layout, the landings, the ground prep and how water will run off the steps, so everyone knows the plan on pour day.
- Pour and walk-through. Our crew forms, pours and finishes, usually with a broom finish, a light brushed texture for grip, then we clean up and walk the steps with you.
What keeps new steps solid after the pour
What keeps steps sound is mostly settled before the pour, in ground you'll never see again. If the budget gets tight, I'd cut a decorative finish before I'd skimp on the base, because a nice top won't save steps that settle. After that, go easy the first winter, as the questions below cover.
We're based in Arlington and build steps for homeowners and small business owners here and in the cities around it, from Everett up into the Skagit Valley through Mount Vernon and out to Camano. If you don't see your city listed, call and ask, and I'll come out for a free estimate.
Tell us about your steps
Send your address, photos of the entry and whether the property sits in a flood hazard zone, or call. We reply within one business day to set a visit.
(360) 474-2804- Free on-site estimate
- What's included, in writing
- No pressure to book
Questions about new concrete steps
When is a good time to pour concrete steps in Arlington?
Pour them when freezing right after the pour is unlikely, which usually means steering clear of late fall, winter and early spring. National trade guidance urges caution in those months, when fresh concrete can freeze while still saturated, and weathering around here is rated moderate to severe. We set the date with that in mind.
Who issues building permits in Arlington, and what about flood zones?
The city's Building Services Division issues the development permits that state and local codes require, and a property in a flood hazard zone also needs a flood hazard permit. We check what the city or county office wants before we schedule the work and tell you plainly what we'll file and what, if anything, falls to you.
Do new concrete steps in Arlington need a handrail?
Yes, if the stairway has four or more risers, because the city's residential stair guidance calls for a handrail on at least one side. It also asks for a landing at the top and bottom as wide as the stairs and at least 36 inches deep, so we plan both early. Check current rules with the same division.
How do I protect new concrete steps in their first winter?
Skip deicing chemicals that first winter, and after that use them in moderate amounts, as national trade guidance advises. The same guidance suggests a breathable sealer or water repellent once the concrete is reasonably dry, and late summer after a few dry days is an ideal time to put it on.