Driveways

Driveway Replacement in Kansas City

By burtons-construction | 01/26/2023

Is a Driveway Replacement in Kansas City Worth the Expense?

We use our driveways for a lot of things–and not just parking our cars. We use our driveways for basketball games, pickle ball, tricycle races, neighborhood get-togethers, changing oil in our vehicles, wheeling trash containers to the curb, and many other things. When you get a driveway replacement in Kansas City it will make everything easier: deliveries, parking, work and play.

A completed driveway replacement in Kansas City

While we take our driveways for granted, we shouldn’t. This is the first thing people see when they pull up to our home, and first impressions count.

Apart from appearance, uneven concrete on a driveway can be a hazard to visiting grandparents or to the delivery man dropping off packages. No one wants their driveway to cause physical injury.

New Driveways Increase Property Value

Are you creating a list of things that need to be updated or changed to add value to your home? Driveway replacement should be on the list, according to SpecifyConcrete.org. For potential home buyers, this is usually their introduction to your home. When buyers see driveways in need of repair, it will deter them from looking at the rest of the house.

If you want your asking price, make sure your driveway is free of giant cracks or crumbling concrete.

Be aware that concrete that is sloping towards the house means water is running into the home and can be causing foundation issues. A home buyer will run from any potential foundation issues. Repairs are costly and invasive.

Concrete Driveways Are Environmentally Friendly

“Concrete is a recyclable, environmentally friendly material that doesn’t emit any harmful chemicals or toxins. When a concrete driveway is removed, the old concrete can be crumbled and reused, saving on transportation costs and emissions, and saving room in landfills.” -Michigan Concrete Association Miconcrete.org

Now that it’s time to replace your driveway, you can rest easy knowing that by choosing concrete you made an environmentally friendly choice. It also doesn’t hurt that your new concrete driveway’s life expectancy is 25-30 years with low cost maintenance.

How To Know When It’s Time to Repair My Driveway?

Signs to look for when your driveway is ready to be replaced:

Cracks that are separating ¼” or more
A concrete lip that has formed and is a tripping hazard
Crumbling concrete
Sunken portions
Water that moves back towards the house instead of away from it
Uneven portions

Concrete Affected by Weather Conditions

Concrete is just like a sponge, and without a penetrating sealer to keep out moisture and chemicals, it will deteriorate as it works its way into the concrete.

Salting your driveway to melt the ice and snow is one of the biggest hazards to concrete. We need the salt to ensure safety during winter months, but without proper maintenance your driveway will begin to crumble.

Did you ever notice the driveway apron (first 10 feet of driveway from the street) is always the first to begin deteriorating? That’s because when snow plows come through, they push all the snow and salt from the streets onto the apron. The salt usually doesn’t get washed away until the end of the season. It just sits on top of your driveway, and those chemicals seep down through the concrete.

Finding a Concrete Contractor!

The best way to find a contractor is by talking to neighbors and asking who they have used. Look for signs and work trucks when you see concrete workers in your neighborhood. You can get a lot of information from social media like Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, etc. Check out Google and read their reviews.

Smoothing concrete on a driveway replacement in Kansas City.

Spot Contractors Red Flags

Companies that require you to pull your own permits is a red flag. That can mean that they don’t have a contractor’s license because in order to pull permits, you have to prove that you are either a contractor or the homeowner. Any quote should include permits. If you don’t know if the company will pull permits, make sure you ask.

Be wary of driveway replacement companies that want a lot of money up front. We hear stories of contractors who ask for a downpayment of 50%, then quit answering the phone. Ask how much they require for down payment and check to see if you can negotiate a lower payment. Better yet, find a company that doesn’t require anything down. Burton’s Construction takes no money up front. We don’t get paid until the job is done.

The biggest red flag is companies that have little to no communication. If the contractor was slow or difficult to schedule for an estimate, imagine how hard it will be to have them complete the job. Communication before, during and after the job is the sign of a quality contractor.

Qualifications of a Contractor You Want

How will you know when you have found the right contractor for you? Here is a list of things you should want in your contractor:

- Contractors License! It doesn’t matter if you live in Olathe, Lenexa, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee or Overland Park make sure the contractor you pick is licensed. Each year contractors take continuing education classes in order to reapply. This helps them stay on top of new codes required for your city.

Insurance- Accidents happen from time to time. Make sure that your contractor has insurance. This will protect you and your neighbors. You can even request to see a Certificate of Insurance.

Experience– Concrete is a skill that takes many years to perfect. It’s important to use someone who has experience with concrete in order for you to receive high quality work.

Use Your Intuition– Pay attention during the estimate process. Does the contractor listen to your requests? Do they answer your questions? You can gather a lot of information during your first meeting. If you have a bad feeling, then choose someone you feel good about.

If your driveway is crumbling, has cracks that are beginning to separate, or is sunken in spots, you probably need to find a concrete contractor. A driveway replacement in Kansas City is just a click away. You may reach out to us with any questions that you have. If you are ready for a free estimate, please complete our estimate form below. We will reach out to you as soon as we receive it.