Concrete Steps and Stoops: Repair and Replacement
Front steps take more abuse than almost any other concrete on a property. They catch every freeze, they get salted every winter, and they carry concentrated foot traffic on their edges. They are also a genuine safety issue once treads become uneven.
Common step problems
Crumbling edges and corners, usually from salt damage and freeze and thaw working at the most exposed part of the structure.
Settling, where the whole set of steps has tilted or pulled away from the house because the fill underneath was never properly compacted.
Uneven riser heights, which is both a code issue and the most common cause of trips. This often appears after settling.
Separation from the house, leaving a gap that channels water straight down against the foundation.
Repair or replace
Resurfacing works when the structure is sound and the damage is limited to surface deterioration. The steps get cleaned, bonded and refinished.
Replacement is the answer when steps have settled or separated, when risers are uneven, or when deterioration runs deep into the structure. Rebuilding on a properly compacted base is the only way to stop settling recurring.
Where steps have pulled away from the house, the water path into the foundation matters more than the steps do. That gets addressed as part of the work.
Other concrete we handle
Concrete Driveways
Poured concrete driveways with proper thickness, reinforcement and control joints.
Concrete Driveways detailsConcrete Patios
Patios poured with the pitch, base and joint layout that keep them flat and dry.
Concrete Patios detailsStamped Concrete
Stamped patterns, integral color and exposed aggregate finishes, sealed to hold up outdoors.
Stamped Concrete detailsConcrete Repair
Honest assessment of what can be repaired and what has to be replaced.
Concrete Repair detailsConcrete Leveling
Lifting settled slabs back to grade when the concrete itself is still sound.
Concrete Leveling detailsSidewalks & Walkways
Public sidewalk replacement and private walkways, including township permit work.
Sidewalks & Walkways detailsTowns we cover for steps & stoops
Steps & Stoops we have finished
Steps & Stoops questions
How much does it cost to repair concrete steps?
Surface repair on structurally sound steps is a modest job. Full replacement costs considerably more because it involves demolition, disposal, forming and a proper compacted base.
Which one applies depends on whether the structure has moved. Photos of the steps from a couple of angles are usually enough for us to tell you which situation you are in.
Why are my front steps pulling away from the house?
Almost always because the fill beneath them was not properly compacted when the house was built, and it has settled over time. The steps sit on that fill while the house sits on footings, so they move and the house does not.
Repairing the gap alone does not fix it. The steps need to be rebuilt on a compacted base, or lifted and stabilised, or the same separation returns.
Can precast steps be used instead of poured?
Yes, and precast units install quickly and cost less. They come in standard sizes, so they suit openings that match what is manufactured.
Poured in place steps cost more and take longer, and they can be built to any dimension and tied into surrounding walkways and landings. Where an entry is an unusual size or you want it to match existing work, poured is usually the better result.
Get a free estimate
Send a few photos of the driveway, patio or drainage problem and we will come back with a real number, not a range.
- Most estimates come back within one business day.
- Photos usually get you a real number without a site visit.
- If you need less work than you asked about, we will say so.
Prefer to talk? (610) 646-1187