Local service guide
Concrete work in Allentown, PA: Plan and Hire
Arrange concrete work in Allentown by asking contractors to separate the private slab from any sidewalk, curb or driveway crossover work, then price demolition, base preparation, drainage and approvals in writing. For improvements in the public right-of-way, the city requires City Engineer approval and a work order. Choose a contractor who identifies those boundaries and explains who will arrange inspections before the pour. [3]
Define the work before comparing bids
Give each contractor the same project description: dimensions, intended use, photographs, access for equipment and the areas you want removed or retained. Ask for separate prices for repair, leveling and replacement where those options deserve inspection. Have the contractor explain the proposed treatment after looking at the slab and the ground around it.
Mark the driveway portion that crosses the sidewalk area as a separate item. Allentown requires a crossover permit for construction or reconstruction of that portion, with review by Traffic Planning and Control and Engineering. The city also requires applicable work orders and survey authorization for work in the public right-of-way. Ask the contractor to confirm the boundary with Engineering rather than assume the entire driveway follows one approval process. [3]
For a backyard patio or private driveway slab, ask the city which approvals apply to the exact scope. Do not use the public sidewalk rules as a complete permit checklist for private-property work. Give the reviewer the existing and proposed dimensions, any grading changes and the intended drainage outlet.
Require a complete concrete proposal
Ask the contractor to specify removal and disposal, excavation depth, base material and compaction, slab thickness, reinforcement, concrete specification, joints, finish and curing method. Request a sketch showing finished elevations at the house, garage, sidewalk and adjoining pavement. Include restoration of disturbed lawn or landscaping in the scope.
For concrete in the public right-of-way, the city uses Bureau of Engineering specifications and subjects the concrete to testing. The contractor must request the preliminary forms inspection 24 hours in advance; the city conducts a final inspection after placement and finishing. Ask who schedules those visits and request the final approval slip for your records. [3]
Request proof of insurance and ask who will supervise the work. For work governed by the sidewalk and curb article, the applicant must file the required insurance certificate with the city; failure to file can lead to permit denial. Write payment milestones, changes to the scope and responsibility for corrective work into the agreement. [3]
Settle drainage before adding concrete
Photograph puddles and downspout outlets before the site visit. Ask the contractor to show where water will travel after the work, including at the garage door and property boundary. Allentown's stormwater rules require positive drainage away from buildings and prohibit changing existing concentrated discharge locations onto neighboring property without written approval from the affected owners and the City Engineer. [2]
The stormwater ordinance regulates new or additional impervious surfaces within its mapped watersheds. Its drainage-plan preparation exemption generally covers projects creating 10,000 square feet or less of additional impervious cover, with exceptions and cumulative accounting for earlier additions. Patios and driveways count toward that calculation. Ask the city to evaluate your property's history and proposed expansion. [4]
That exemption does not remove safe drainage, water-quality or other approval obligations. The ordinance also counts proposed gravel, crushed stone and porous pavement as impervious when evaluating the exemption. Ask for a city determination before choosing a surface on the assumption that it avoids review. [4]
Compare fees and schedule the pour
The municipal fee schedule lists sidewalk work orders at $50, $60 or $75 according to area, and a residential crossover permit at $55. Survey warrants and other applicable charges can add to those amounts. Ask each bidder to identify which fees the proposal includes and confirm the payable amounts with the city before applying. [1]
Build approval dates into the schedule. The fee article requires a new work order if work has not begun within 60 days of issue and a new survey request if construction remains unfinished beyond the calendar year. Avoid arranging delivery around an authorization that may expire before the crew starts. [1]
For an autumn or winter right-of-way pour, ask the contractor to describe the required covering, insulation and coatings. Allentown permits cold-weather placement under Engineering specifications, while winter and emergency work require a special work order and additional requirements. Ask for written instructions on pedestrian access, vehicle use and protection after placement rather than accept a single return-to-use date for all projects. [3]
Published Allentown sidewalk work-order fees
Local details that affect your job
Leveling a public sidewalk needs a feasibility inspection
Allentown allows cement-grout slabjacking under its sidewalk article, but Engineering must inspect the site and the City Engineer must determine feasibility before issuing a work order. The city treats this method as temporary because settlement may require future leveling. Before accepting a leveling quote for the public sidewalk, ask the contractor to obtain that determination and explain the proposed response to further settlement. [3]
Include downspout crossings in sidewalk replacement
Allentown prohibits roof or other wastewater drainage across sidewalks when the City Engineer determines that it creates a nuisance or hazard. The code provides for approved pipe, channel or concrete-swale methods and assigns construction and maintenance to the property owner. Show the contractor any downspout that crosses your walking route and ask Engineering to confirm the drainage detail before replacing the sidewalk. [3]
Match the project to the next step
| Project | Decision before hiring | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Public sidewalk replacement | City approval and a work order apply | Confirm survey requirements and assign inspection scheduling |
| Driveway crossover reconstruction | A crossover permit requires city review | Separate the crossover scope and fees in the bid |
| Public sidewalk grout leveling | Engineering must inspect feasibility before a work order | Obtain the city determination before committing to leveling |
| Patio or driveway enlargement | Added impervious cover enters the stormwater exemption calculation | Submit dimensions and prior additions for city review |
| Winter right-of-way concrete | Winter work requires a special work order and additional requirements | Confirm authorization and protection methods before scheduling |
Your hiring checklist
- Measure the proposed area and photograph cracks, uneven edges, puddles and downspout outlets.
- Give each bidder the same scope and request separate private-slab and street-front work items.
- Ask the city to confirm right-of-way boundaries, applicable approvals and drainage review.
- Request written base, thickness, reinforcement, joint, finish and curing specifications.
- Assign responsibility for applications, fees, inspection scheduling and approval records.
- Review proof of insurance, payment milestones and written change procedures.
- Agree on equipment access, debris removal and restoration of disturbed areas.
- Obtain written instructions for protecting the concrete and resuming pedestrian and vehicle use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need city approval to replace my public sidewalk?
Yes. Allentown requires City Engineer approval and a work order for improvements in the public right-of-way. Its code also addresses survey warrants for laying or relaying sidewalks. Ask Engineering to confirm the survey requirement for your scope and identify who will handle the application. [3]
Does a small patio avoid stormwater requirements?
A qualifying project can receive an exemption from drainage-plan preparation under the ordinance's additional-impervious-cover threshold. That exemption preserves drainage, water-quality and other approval obligations. Ask the city to account for earlier additions and the proposed work before relying on it. [4]
Can a contractor level my sidewalk instead of replacing it?
For cement-grout slabjacking governed by the city's sidewalk article, Engineering inspects feasibility before issuing a work order. The City Engineer makes the final determination. The code treats leveling as temporary because later settlement may require another intervention. [3]
How much should I budget for installation?
Request a site-specific written quote. The cited city schedule establishes administrative fees, not installation prices. Ask bidders to separate removal, base preparation, concrete, drainage, access arrangements and municipal charges so you can compare the proposed work. [1]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.