Concrete Work in Anchorage, AK: Hiring and Permits

Define the slab and the street connection

Start with photos and a sketch showing the concrete you want repaired or replaced, the property boundary if known, and the connection to the street. Mark the public sidewalk, curb, gutter and any ditch or culvert. Ask the contractor to identify the limits of private work and municipal work during the site visit.

Anchorage defines public places to include sidewalks, planting strips, public easements and rights-of-way. Its driveway definition includes the public-place portion that provides vehicle access, including access where no constructed curb exists. Do not assume that the absence of a sidewalk or curb removes the need to check right-of-way requirements. [2]

For a patio or other slab within your property, ask the municipality whether your proposed scope needs additional approvals. The cited street-use rules do not establish a blanket permit exemption for private concrete work. Describe any connection to a building, steps or retaining structure when you ask. [1] [2]

Ask bidders to explain repair versus replacement

Ask each bidder to inspect the problem before pricing a remedy. Show them uneven edges, cracking, surface damage and places where you have observed standing water. Request an explanation of what they would repair, what they would remove, and how they would address the cause they identify.

For a proposed repair or leveling job, ask how the contractor will assess the existing slab and supporting material. For replacement, request the excavation depth, base material and preparation method, slab thickness, reinforcement proposal, joint layout and finish in writing. Ask the contractor to explain how the design suits the intended use.

Include drainage in the scope discussion. Ask the contractor to show the proposed finished elevations and where water will go. If the proposal changes a public gutter or adds a driveway culvert, resolve the municipal requirements before approving the work. Anchorage prohibits obstructions that interfere with water passage in a gutter and requires written permits for driveway culverts in the public areas specified by the code. [1]

Settle utility locating before excavation

Alaska 811 tells homeowners to request markings at least two business days before digging, or up to ten days ahead. If you hire an excavating company, Alaska 811 says the excavator must obtain facility markings and ensure the locates meet the project's needs. Ask your contractor to confirm that step before demolition or base excavation begins. [4]

Member utilities locate public facilities they own. Alaska 811 says they do not locate private or consumer-owned facilities, including water and sewer service lines, irrigation, landscape lighting, electric lines to external structures, wells and septic systems. Ask who will hire a private line locator for any such facilities in the excavation area. [4]

Give the contractor the property address, street name, nearest intersecting street and a precise description of the dig area. Alaska 811 recommends directional descriptions or fixed reference points and recommends pre-marking the excavation area with white paint, or black paint when snow is present. Include the full proposed excavation area when discussing the locate request. [3]

Compare the full quote and municipal fee allowance

Request separate amounts for demolition and disposal, excavation, base preparation, concrete placement, finish, drainage work and cleanup. Ask whether the contractor includes permits, inspections, traffic control and private utility locating. Require written approval for changes to the agreed scope or price.

For applicable permanent public-place uses, Anchorage lists basic fees of $355 inside the road prism and $235 outside it. The code applies the fee to the first foot of each 360 linear feet of work area measured along or parallel to the road prism and includes the first inspection of up to one hour. These amounts describe municipal permit components, not driveway installation prices. [2]

The municipality charges the aggregate of relevant fees. The code also lists charges for paved-surface removal, road closures, additional inspections and plan review. Ask the contractor to identify which categories apply and obtain confirmation from the municipality rather than treating the basic fee as the total permit budget. [2]

Agree on access, weather contingencies and handover

Ask where the crew will park and place equipment, how deliveries will reach the pour, and how you will enter the house during work. Anchorage requires permits for use of public places, including the placement of construction materials or equipment. Have the contractor include any proposed public-space staging in the permit discussion. [2]

Request a written weather contingency and curing plan before agreeing to a pour date. Ask who decides whether conditions are suitable, what protection the crew will provide, and when you may walk or drive on the completed surface. Use the contractor's project-specific instructions rather than assuming one reopening date fits all pours.

At handover, review the finished work against the scope, photograph the surface and edges, and collect care instructions and warranty terms. For work under the public-place permit chapter, the permittee must notify Development Services within ten days after completion. Ask for confirmation of required inspection and municipal acceptance before treating that portion of the job as complete. [2]

Anchorage basic fees for permanent public-place uses

Match the proposed work to the next step

Your hiring checklist

1. Photograph the concrete and sketch the proposed work, street connection and known property boundary.
2. Ask each bidder to explain the proposed remedy and list demolition, base, drainage and concrete specifications.
3. Assign responsibility for municipal permit inquiries, applications, fees and inspections in writing.
4. Ask the excavating contractor to confirm utility locating and arrange private-line locating where needed.
5. Review equipment access, public-space staging and household access before setting the start date.
6. Agree on weather contingencies, curing protection and written reopening instructions.
7. Collect care instructions, warranty terms and confirmation of required municipal acceptance at handover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to replace my driveway?

Check the exact scope with Development Services. Anchorage requires written permits for public curb openings and driveway culverts, and its public-place rules cover right-of-way use. Ask whether your replacement includes the street connection, public sidewalk or equipment staging. The cited rules do not establish an exemption for all private driveway work. [1] [2]

Can I request utility markings for my contractor?

Alaska 811 says the excavating contractor must obtain facility markings when you hire a company to excavate. Give the contractor an accurate address and dig-area description, then ask them to confirm that the markings cover the proposed work. [3] [4]

Will Alaska 811 mark power to my detached garage?

Alaska 811 lists electric lines to external structures among the private or consumer-owned facilities that member utilities do not locate. Ask a private line locator to identify consumer-owned garage power within the excavation area. [4]

How much should I budget for the concrete job?

Get site-specific written bids with the same scope. The municipal fees shown here cover selected public-place permit components. They do not establish a local concrete installation price. Ask bidders to separate construction costs from applicable fees, inspections, locating and access arrangements. [2]