Budgeting for Commercial Concrete Repair

Whether you have a concrete walkway, parking garage, or parking lot, taking care of these structures helps reduce liability. While repairing cracks, uneven sections, or crumbling sections might not seem worth paying for at the moment, what happens when someone trips, gets injured, and files a claim against your insurance company? Or if uneven concrete leads to flooding and mold growth?

Concrete repair is more common for businesses because commercial concrete structures experience greater wear and tear and deterioration from heavy foot and vehicle traffic, as well as exposure to chemicals like oil and fertilizers.

What’s more, concrete repair isn’t the only unforeseen expense you’ll need to consider, and that’s why it’s critical for you to set funds aside every year for potential emergency repairs.

If you know that you have some concrete that’s starting to deteriorate, plan your budget sooner rather than later.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Commercial-Scale Concrete Repair Jobs

How much should you budget for concrete repair? It depends on three main factors: 1) the size of the concrete in need of repair, 2) the severity of repairs that are needed, and 3) current weather conditions.

Project Size

Larger concrete areas will be more expensive to repair because they require more materials and labor. So, fixing a walkway leading to your building will likely not be as costly as repairing a 1,000-square-foot warehouse or parking lot.

Severity of the Repair

Likewise, the project complexity will be a significant cost factor. For example, a surface crack is relatively easy to repair compared to repairing concrete with deep structural issues, which require more advanced, intensive methods. Other factors can add to the complexity, such as poor soil conditions or the need to stabilize or address concrete in areas surrounding the main issue.

With that being said, this is why it’s so important to address issues as soon as you discover them. Letting the issue worsen means the cost to repair that issue is likely to increase.

Weather & Other Factors

Unfavorable weather conditions can increase the time needed to adequately repair the existing issue. It can also impact the logistics and transportation of materials and laborers. While it’s difficult to predict the weather, we do recommend scheduling repairs in the warmer seasons, unless it’s an emergency.

Other intangibles to be wary of include permitting costs and the time needed to prepare the site, each of which can slow a repair project’s overall progress.

Tips for Reducing the Overall Cost

• Schedule routine maintenance. Like anything, preventative maintenance helps address small problems before they have the potential to become large, expensive ones. Even scheduling inspections and routine maintenance once a year can provide significant long-term savings.
• Address repairs immediately. Don’t wait until your problem becomes an emergency. Waiting for repairs is likely only to result in a more expensive, intensive repair. Some early signs of concrete damage include cracking, discoloration, spalling, scaling, pitting, and uneven or sunken areas.
• Seal your concrete. While sealing isn’t a band-aid that resolves existing issues in your concrete, it will help prevent further damage from foot and vehicle traffic and the elements.
• Work with a trusted contractor. Select the best contractor for the job, not the one with the lowest estimate. With any concrete job, it’s important to have the work done properly so it lasts longer.

Get a Free Estimate

Planning and budgeting for concrete repairs can be challenging, considering the various factors that influence the cost.

Most people want to hear a number, but an inspection is needed in order provide the most accurate number. If you’ve noticed uneven or sunken areas or cracking and crumbling in any concrete areas in or around your building, schedule a professional inspection because that’s the best way to understand how much you’ll need to budget for.

If you’re ready to get started, contact our team today to request an inspection and free estimate—we offer concrete leveling, crack repair and sealing, and step replacement services to businesses throughout the metro Detroit area. You can view our website to learn more about some of our past projects.