Concrete patio construction in Riverside CA - a slab that sheds water away from the house

A concrete patio in Riverside usually costs about $6 to $13 per square foot, installed. That's the going rate in the area, not our quote, and where yours lands depends on the size, access, old slab removal and base work covered above. Your written estimate spells out what's included so you can compare fairly.

It may, so ask Riverside's building official, who issues permits for most construction projects in the city. The city's exempt list names sidewalks and driveways, not patios. A job that disturbs more than 50 cubic yards of soil is subject to a grading permit from the city's Public Works Department unless the city lists it as exempt, and the grading plans then typically come from a licensed civil engineer. Many permits can go to you, your authorized agent or a licensed contractor, and we agree up front on who applies, which matters because the city notes insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections.

A licensed concrete contractor can, and a landscaping contractor may also take on concrete work when it's part of a project that improves your grounds. A contractor pulling a Riverside permit must be appropriately licensed and show proof, which you can check with the state licensing board, and the city also requires a current City of Riverside business license, so it's fair to ask for both. We're licensed and fully insured, and when we're the ones applying, we bring our license paperwork to the counter.

Start with a mix that isn't too wet and joints laid out before the pour, because shrinkage after concrete hardens rises with the water in the mix, and joints give any cracking a planned place to go. Synthetic fibers can help limit cracks in the first hours, but at typical doses most give little restraint once the slab hardens, so treat them as an early aid rather than a fix. Any contractor you're considering should be able to tell you how they keep the mix from getting too wet.

Pour in the cooler part of the day and ask whether the crew plans to add a retarding water reducer, a mix additive that slows setting and cuts the water needed, which crews normally use in hot weather. Midday heat can leave a weak top, so on hot days we plan the pour early.

By law, the down payment on a home improvement contract can't be more than $1,000 or ten percent of the contract price, whichever is less. If someone asks for more up front, that's a good reason to stop and ask questions before you sign.