Local service guide
Concrete Work in Houston: Plan, Compare and Hire
Arrange Concrete Work in Houston by asking bidders to inspect the site, separate private driveway or patio work from the street approach, and explain drainage, preparation and access in writing. Before approving sidewalk replacement or a driveway apron, confirm the applicable city review and permit steps. Houston lists sidewalk replacement longer than 20 feet as a sidewalk-review trigger and has a permit fee category for driveway approaches in the right-of-way. [1] [4]
Define the job before requesting a price
Tell each bidder whether you want a new patio, driveway replacement, steps, a walkway repair or an assessment of an uneven slab. Photograph the whole area and close views of cracks, height changes and places where water collects. Include the intended use, such as parking a vehicle or creating a route to the front door.
Ask the contractor to explain the problem they propose to fix before choosing repair, leveling or replacement. Request separate options where the condition warrants them. Have the bidder identify which existing sections they will retain, which they will remove, and how they will connect the work to adjacent surfaces. For steps or concrete supporting a structure, ask who will assess the design before anyone starts demolition.
Resolve sidewalk and street-edge scope first
Houston Planning and Development reviews sidewalk widths, new sidewalks, new parking lots and certain repairs or expansions within city limits. Its published triggers include new sidewalks, removal of an existing sidewalk, and repair or replacement of a sidewalk segment more than 20 feet long. Ask the department about your proposed scope before accepting a bid that assumes the contractor can reproduce the existing layout. [1]
Do not choose a sidewalk width from a neighboring property. The city bases minimum widths on area and street classification, with separate provisions for Walkable Places and Transit-Oriented Development streets. Houston also says an existing tree or power pole does not remove the sidewalk requirement; applicants must bypass the obstruction or pursue an applicable modification or fee option when meeting the standards is technically infeasible. [1]
Have the bidder mark the driveway approach, public sidewalk crossing and private portion on a sketch. Ask who will confirm the right-of-way boundary, submit required applications and arrange inspections. Use that sketch to compare bids so you can see whether each contractor has included the same street-edge work.
Get an itemized bid and a separate permit allowance
Request measured area, proposed slab thickness, concrete specifications, reinforcement, base preparation, joint layout and finish in each quote. Ask bidders to describe excavation, demolition, hauling, truck access and any pumping separately. Require a written drainage proposal showing where the contractor intends water to go and how the new surface will meet doors, the garage and retained concrete.
Houston's fee schedule lists a $47 driveway-approach permit fee and a $47 sidewalk-permit base charge for the first 100 lineal feet, effective January 1, 2026. The same schedule lists a $91.06 minimum permit fee for all permits except plumbing and administrative fees. Treat the listed base charges as budget questions for the issuing department, rather than the total amount you will pay. [4]
Ask bidders to identify the city fees included in their allowance and distinguish those from their own application or coordination charges. Compare the full project total after clarifying exclusions. Before signing, request insurance documentation, references for similar work, payment milestones, written change-order terms and the warranty's coverage and exclusions.
Schedule the pour and your access together
Houston Intercontinental's 1991–2020 climate normals include 6.00 inches of June rain and 5.46 inches of October rain. The National Weather Service reports a July average high of 94.5°F for that period. Ask your contractor how they will decide whether to proceed, postpone or protect the work during rain and hot weather. These historical averages describe the airport station, not conditions at your property on pour day. [2]
Agree on a parking plan and a route between the house and street before demolition. Ask who will protect landscaping, irrigation and adjacent finishes, where workers will stage materials, and who will clean up. Have the contractor give separate instructions for pedestrian use and vehicle loading, including how they will communicate a weather-related change. Avoid relying on a single completion date without those access details.
Coordinate with an active city project
If you have received a city paving or drainage notice, contact the project team before arranging private driveway work. Houston Public Works says these projects include new driveway aprons to connect existing driveways to reconstructed streets. Sidewalk accessibility requirements can change the apron entry slope, and the city may need a right-of-entry to connect farther into the property. [3]
Ask the project manager which surfaces the city contractor will remove and restore, and whether to postpone your private replacement. Houston Public Works says the city must return decorative driveway and walkway portions in the right-of-way to city codes and standards. Do not assume the project budget includes recreating your chosen decorative finish. [3]
Houston IAH monthly rainfall normals for concrete scheduling
Local details that affect your job
Confirm sidewalk requirements through Planning and Development
For a new sidewalk, removal, or replacement of a segment longer than 20 feet, ask Planning and Development to confirm the review path for your address. Send the proposed dimensions and identify trees, poles or other obstructions. The city directs applicants to its sidewalk regulations page for online modification and Fee in Lieu applications, with related documents sent to the department by email. Eligibility governs those options; obtain confirmation before budgeting for one. [1]
Use the city project notice to settle apron responsibility
For an active city infrastructure project, use the contractor contact information in the written notice to ask about driveway restoration. For routine concerns, Houston Public Works directs residents to 311 and asks them to provide the project's WBS number, identify it as a City of Houston CIP project, and request referral to the Engineering and Construction Division. Resolve the restoration boundary before hiring a private crew for overlapping work. [3]
Choose the next step before committing to concrete work
| Your situation | Next step | Clarify before signing |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked or uneven private slab | Request an assessment and applicable repair or replacement options. | Ask what problem each option addresses and which sections remain. |
| Sidewalk segment replacement longer than 20 feet | Confirm Houston's sidewalk-review requirements. | Agree on the approved layout and who handles applications. |
| Tree or pole obstructs a required sidewalk | Discuss a bypass or an applicable modification process with the city. | Confirm eligibility before assuming a narrower sidewalk or fee option. |
| Driveway approach at the street | Ask about the right-of-way permit and its total applicable fees. | Separate the approach scope from the private driveway. |
| City paving or drainage project affects the property | Contact the project team before scheduling private apron work. | Confirm restoration boundaries, entry slope and decorative-finish responsibility. |
Your hiring checklist
- Photograph cracks, uneven edges, drainage concerns and the surrounding area.
- Give each bidder the same measured scope and intended use.
- Ask who will confirm sidewalk review, permits and right-of-way boundaries.
- Request separate repair and replacement options where appropriate.
- Compare preparation, concrete specifications, joints, finish and drainage.
- Separate municipal fees from contractor coordination charges.
- Agree on weather contingencies, parking and pedestrian and vehicle access.
- Check insurance, references, warranty terms and written payment milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does replacing a sidewalk trigger city review?
Houston lists repair or replacement of a sidewalk segment more than 20 feet long as a review trigger. It also lists new sidewalks and removal of existing sidewalks. Confirm the requirements for your scope with Planning and Development before approving the layout. [1]
Is the driveway-approach permit total $47?
The city's January 1, 2026 schedule lists $47 for a driveway approach in the right-of-way. It also lists minimum permit and administrative fees. Ask the issuing department for the applicable total and have the contractor identify what their allowance covers. [4]
Should I replace my driveway during city street construction?
Contact the project manager first. Houston Public Works says paving and drainage projects include driveway apron reconstruction, and accessibility requirements can change entry slopes. Ask which portions the city will restore before scheduling private work. [3]
How should I compare concrete quotes without a local price range?
Give bidders the same dimensions and request written preparation, material, drainage and finish specifications. Compare demolition, disposal, access arrangements, fees and exclusions alongside the total. Ask each contractor to explain any proposed scope difference before choosing an offer.
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.