Concrete contractor in Des Moines, WA - slabs built right on sloped lots
D&L Kent Concrete Construction is a concrete contractor based in Kent that pours driveways, patios, steps, walls and garage floors for homes in Des Moines, WA, with the base dug out, packed and graded before any concrete arrives.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Replies within 1 business day.
Hillside homes across Des Moines
Des Moines runs along Puget Sound, and a lot of its streets climb away from the water, from the shoreline at Redondo Beach up through blocks of older ranch houses, split-levels and newer townhomes. On our jobs here we see a lot of driveways that pitch down to the street or up to a garage, patios set on a terrace cut into the backyard, and front steps that have shifted as the ground under them moved.
We're based in Kent, a short drive east, and we do the same work in Federal Way and Auburn. What sets Des Moines apart is the grade, so most of my time on an estimate here goes into where the water will run and how the base will sit on the slope.
Our services in Des Moines, WA
- Concrete driveway building
Steep Des Moines driveways send rain toward the garage or the street. We set the slope and drain path first, then dig out and pack the base before the pour.
- Concrete retaining walls
Terraced backyards on the slopes here often lean on old timber or block walls that are starting to bow. We build concrete walls on a footing with drainage behind them.
- Concrete steps construction
Front steps on hillside lots settle and pull away from the house. We rebuild them on a packed base with rebar, steel that holds the concrete together.
- Concrete patio construction
Hillside patios here have to drain away from the house, not toward it. We grade the base for that and cut control joints, grooves that guide where cracks form.
- Garage floor concrete
Garage slabs in older houses here often sink near the door where rain gets under. We break it out and pour a new garage floor on a packed base.
- Concrete sidewalk building
Sloped front walks here get slick in the rain and heave where roots push under. We pour new ones with a broom finish, a brushed texture that gives shoes grip.
What Des Moines slopes and rain ask of concrete
Rain is the thing to plan around here, and on a slope it doesn't stay put. When water runs downhill and gets under a slab, it softens the subgrade, which is the soil the slab sits on. A driveway or patio that falls toward the house ends up sinking and holding puddles against your foundation. On the walk-through I check where the water goes, and then we pitch the slab away from the house, dig out the soft dirt and pack a solid base. When budgets get tight, the base is the first thing people want to trim, because nobody sees it once the concrete's down. I'd rather cut back on a fancy finish than go cheap underneath. The price here moves with the base work, how much old concrete comes out and whether a truck can reach the spot on a steep street. The schedule turns on the weather and any permit, and your written estimate lists each part.
If your lot is steep or you're planning a retaining wall, look at King County's landslide hazard map first. The county says the map marks potential landslide hazard areas, not the actual hazard or risk for any one property. Depending on what's being built, the county says a study by a licensed geological engineer may be recommended. If the walk-through makes me think your slope needs that closer look, I'll tell you before we price the job.
Get a written concrete estimate for your Des Moines home
Send the form or call (253) 398-9060, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a time. I come out to your place in Des Moines myself to measure and walk the site. Then you get a free written estimate with each part of the job listed, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
Finished driveways, patios and walls
Des Moines concrete questions answered
Do I need a permit to pour a concrete driveway or patio in Des Moines, WA?
That depends on the job, and the city makes the call, so it's worth checking before any work starts. The city's Building Division issues building permits in Des Moines and takes applications through the city's online permit portal. 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.
Does a concrete contractor need a Des Moines business license?
Yes. The city requires anyone doing business in Des Moines to get a city business license first, and that includes independent contractors. The city also won't issue a building permit until the application names a state-registered contractor with a city business license, unless the applicant is exempt.
Does a concrete contractor in Des Moines have to register with the state?
Yes. Washington requires every construction contractor to register with the state Department of Labor & Industries and to be bonded and insured to protect the public. The state's application calls for a bond or savings of $30,000.00 for a general contractor or $15,000.00 for a specialty contractor. We're fully licensed and insured, and I'm glad to go over it at the estimate.
How much does a new concrete driveway cost in Des Moines?
The price comes down to the size, how much old concrete we break out and haul away, and how much digging and base work your slope needs. A steep or tight site that a truck can't reach costs more, and a stamped or colored finish costs more than a plain broom finish. I measure it on site and give you a written estimate with each part listed.
What causes concrete to crack and sink on sloped lots in Des Moines?
Usually it's the base. Soil that was raked level instead of dug out and packed will settle, and on a slope, rainwater running under the slab carries more of it away. Cracks also show up in odd places when control joints are cut late or skipped. Even good concrete gets a few hairline cracks, so we cut joints to put them where they're easy to live with, and I'll tell you that up front.
How long does it take before I can use a new driveway or patio?
You'll stay off a new patio for a few days and off a new driveway longer. Concrete keeps hardening for a while after it looks done, and we call that wait curing. Cool, wet weather can stretch it, so we watch the forecast before we schedule a pour, and I'll tell you when you can walk on it and when you can drive on it.