Concrete Contractor in Burien, WA - Driveways, Steps and Walls for Sloped Lots
D&L Kent Concrete Construction is a concrete contractor based in Kent that pours driveways, patios, steps and retaining walls in Burien, WA, with the base dug out and packed before any concrete goes in.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Hillside homes and yards across Burien
Burien sits just west of SeaTac, with neighborhoods that climb from the business district down toward Puget Sound. Most of what I get called out for here is homeowners' work, like driveways, front walks, steps and backyard patios on houses that have stood a long time.
We're based in Kent, and our crew works in the cities around it, including SeaTac, Des Moines and Lakeland North farther south. What sets Burien jobs apart is the ground. Many lots tip toward the street or the water, so a job here usually starts with more digging and grading than a flat lot would need.
Our services in Burien, WA
- Concrete driveway building
Older Burien driveways often crack and sink because the base was never packed. We break out the slab, dig to firm ground and pack a new base before the pour.
- Concrete retaining walls
Sloped Burien yards slide toward the street when nothing holds the grade. We build concrete retaining walls on footings with drainage behind, so water drains out instead of pressing on it.
- Concrete steps construction
Front steps on hillside Burien lots often pull away from the house as the ground settles. We set new footings and form each rise to match.
- Concrete patio construction
Many older Burien backyards have a cracked patio that tips toward the house. We regrade so the new slab drains away from your foundation.
- Concrete sidewalk building
Front walks on Burien lots often heave or drop where roots or soft soil got under them. We dig out the soft spots and pack a new base before we pour.
- Garage floor concrete
Garage floors in older Burien houses often crack and hold puddles. We break out the floor, rebuild the base and pour a slab that drains toward the door.
What Burien's slopes and older houses ask of concrete
On a sloped lot, the first thing I check at the estimate is where the water goes, because a slab that sends runoff toward your house or lets it run underneath will settle and crack however good the top looks. Our crew digs down to firm soil and packs the base in layers. Then we set the forms so the slab falls away from the house and the water has a clear path off it.
Plenty of Burien houses are decades old, and their original slabs were often poured on raked dirt with few joints cut. That's where the cracks and sunken corners come from. When we replace one, we take it out down to the base, because new concrete poured over an old failure carries the same problem into the new slab.
Get a free written estimate for your Burien concrete job
Tell us about your Burien project and we'll reply within one business day. I come out myself to measure and walk the site, then you get a written estimate with each part of the job listed. There's no obligation to book.
Driveways, patios and steps
Burien concrete questions answered
Do I need a permit for a concrete driveway or patio in Burien?
Your project may need one, and the City of Burien's Permit Center is the office that decides, since the type of permit depends on the type of project. The city says many building projects go through an application and plan review with forms, plans and fees, and it takes submittals online through MyBuildingPermit. We check which office covers your address, take care of the permit when your job needs one and keep you posted on where it stands.
What does a contractor need before Burien will issue a building permit?
The contractor needs a state registration plus a Burien endorsement through the Washington Department of Revenue, and the city wants proof of both before it issues any permit. The state requires every construction contractor to register with the Department of Labor & Industries and to carry insurance and a bond, $30,000 for general contractors or $15,000 for specialty contractors. Burien treats unlicensed contractor work as a misdemeanor that can bring 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine or both. We're fully licensed and insured.
Which building codes apply to concrete work in Burien?
Burien checks permit plans against the 2021 codes, including the 2021 International Residential Code and the Washington State Energy Code. The state's building code council says the 2024 codes take effect May 3, 2027. If your project lands near that date, the city's permit techs take questions at permittech@burienwa.gov.
How do I find out if my Burien property is in a critical area?
Look up your address on the city's Critical Areas Map, which shows whether a property falls inside one. The city regulates these areas, which sit throughout Burien, because it says they can threaten people's safety and public or private property. If your lot is in one, I want to know before we plan any digging, so we can plan the job around the city's rules for it.
How much does a new concrete driveway cost in Burien?
The price comes down to the size of the slab, what has to come out first and how much base work your ground needs, so I give you a number only after I've measured. A steep driveway, tight access, extra steps or a wall, and added rebar, the steel bars that hold a slab together if it cracks, all raise it. If the budget is tight, I'd rather you go with a plain broom finish, a light brushed texture for grip, than cut the base, because nobody sees the base on day one but it decides how long the slab holds up. Your estimate comes in writing with each part of the job listed.
What causes a concrete driveway to crack, and will a new one crack too?
Most cracks start underneath, from a base that was raked flat instead of dug out and packed, water running under the slab, or control joints that were cut late or skipped. Control joints are shallow cuts that give the slab a planned place to crack, so a new driveway will likely still get a few hairline cracks, but they should land in the joints instead of across the middle. I'd rather tell you that up front than promise concrete that never cracks.