Concrete step repair costs an average of $500, and most projects total between $250 and $750. Get an estimate from a pro near you to see how concrete quality, type of repair, and more can affect your price.
Concrete step repair costs an average of $500. You could spend as little as $100 for a simple patch, but extensive repairs that involve structural reinforcement can cost upward of $800. Where in this range your total falls depends on the size of the step, the type of repair, and a few other key factors.
Your contractor should factor both materials and labor into their quote, and the prices for each will vary based on a few factors.
There are a few different methods of concrete repair that your contractor might use, depending on the damage to your steps. Any repair method that is more labor intensive is going to drive up your total.
Type of Concrete Repair | Average Cost |
---|---|
Adding reinforcement | $200 |
Installing new handrails | $700 |
Leveling uneven steps | $400 |
Patching crumbling sections | $650 |
Sealing cracks | $100 |
If you’re dealing with a widening crack that’s making the steps dangerous to use, your professional may need to add reinforcement to them. This usually involves installing metal brackets to the undersides of the steps to hold them in place and patching over the visible damage. You should expect to pay $200 for this service for a standard 4-step stoop. Prices can go up from there based on the number and size of the steps.
Installing new handrails on concrete steps is often as simple as unbolting the old ones and bolting on the new ones. Your professional may need to drill new holes and patch the existing ones, but most of the cost for this service—an average of $700—will go toward the handrails themselves.
Uneven steps are a health and safety issue, but luckily, the fix is relatively affordable. Your pro will charge an average of $400 to reface the steps to make them level once again. Your price could increase if they also need to add reinforcement or take some other action to fix the underlying issue.
Patching crumbling sections of concrete, including spalling, costs $650 on average, and it involves removing the damaged concrete, reinforcing what’s left, and refacing over that. Your professional may also recommend sealing the new concrete to prevent water from seeping into it and contributing to future crumbling.
Sealing cracks in concrete steps is more of a cosmetic repair and just involves filling the crack with a concrete crack sealer or Portland cement. You can do this job yourself for as little as $15, but a professional will only charge an average of $100.
The cost of concrete repairs normally runs about $8 per square foot, but that depends on what you need to fix. Small chips and cracks are the least expensive to repair. Extensive repairs (like concrete leveling or step replacement) and installing or repairing additional features (like carpet, handrails, and epoxy coatings) will cost more.
The price of concrete step repair per square foot varies based on the specific repair, with prices ranging from $2 up to $45.
Project | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Resurfacing concrete | $3–$20 |
Concrete leveling | $3–$25 |
Replacing uneven or sunken steps | $5–$15 |
Grinding and polishing | $2–$15 |
Sealing with epoxy | $2.50–$5 |
Replacing handrails | $30–$45 |
Replacing carpeting | $7–$10 |
As you can imagine, the cost of your repair will depend on how severe the damage is to your steps. Something like a surface crack that needs an aesthetic repair will cost closer to $250
and is often less than patching over a crumbling section of concrete. A structural repair—like fixing sunken concrete steps or a total resurfacing—will push toward the higher end of the range, closer to $750.
Whether you're repairing steps or pouring a new concrete slab, concrete costs between $3 and $4 per square foot, and you’ll likely need to buy it in bags that are larger than what you’ll need. You'll also need tools like a trowel for smoothing concrete and a pressure washer to clean and wet the old surface, which helps the new concrete adhere if you’re doing a DIY repair.
Material/Tool | Average Cost |
---|---|
5-gallon bucket | $5 |
High strength concrete | $4.50 per 60 lb bag |
Portland cement | $18 per bag |
Pressure washer | $120–$350 |
Quick-dry concrete | $6 per 50 lb bag |
Standard concrete | $4 per 50 lb bag |
Trowel | $8 |
If you hire a professional, you’ll save on the cost of tools, but you’ll pay for labor instead, which is more expensive.
Most of the cost of concrete step repair—between 75% and 90%—will go toward labor, as the materials are affordable, but the work is labor-intensive. You can either hire a local concrete step repair contractor or a mason. A concrete contractor costs about $30 to $40 per hour. A mason with more specialized expertise costs about $40 to $75 per hour. On average, expect to pay roughly $325 for the labor.
If you have shallow chips and cracks less than 1/4-inch deep and your steps are still level, you can very likely repair them rather than replace them to save money. Repairing concrete steps costs an average of $500 and is the less expensive and less invasive option. If you have large, deep cracks that suggest structural damage or sinking issues, the only safe solution is to replace them. Replacing concrete steps costs an average of $3,500, making it the more costly option. However, you will end up with a nicer-looking stoop that has a longer lifespan.
You'll save an average of around $375 on labor costs if you DIY your concrete step repair, but those savings could go up to $750 or more for larger, more labor-intensive repairs. Most homeowners can repair tiny holes and cracks in concrete using a concrete patch kit, which costs just $15 to $20. You can also touch up chipped or faded paint on your own for under $40 for paint and supplies (like painter's tape and brushes).
However, it’s best to hire a professional concrete contractor or cement mason for advanced jobs, especially those that affect the safety of your steps. Call in a professional for any of the following:
Installing concrete step handrails
Leveling concrete
Structural repairs to concrete steps
Resurfacing concrete steps
Adding reinforcements to your steps
Improper installation and shoddy repairs can quickly become a safety hazard or cause structural damage to your steps that costs more to fix than the original problem.
“If there appears to be more than a few cracks, consult a pro to ensure there’s not a bigger concern prior to tackling any DIY repairs,” says DiBara. “Doing so can save you time and money.”
Hairline cracks under 1/18 inches are normal, but if you spot larger or deeper cracks, call a pro immediately. Cracks exceeding 1/4 inches are a sign of more serious structural damage and should be handled by a foundation pro.
Concrete step repairs aren’t terribly expensive in most cases, but there are a few things you can do to save some money and minimize the likelihood of future repair needs.
DIY the basics: If you have the means and access to proper equipment, performing any demolition, removal of existing concrete steps, and disposing of concrete can reduce professional labor fees during replacements.
Get multiple quotes: Shop around for at least three price quotes when searching for a concrete contractor for your repair project.
Maintenance is more affordable than repairs: Maintain your existing concrete surfaces with a sealer and keep up with minor DIY crack repairs before they become larger issues.
Tackle small repairs yourself: Consider doing smaller repairs, like sealing small cracks and other aesthetic fixes yourself.
Repair over replace: Whenever possible, repair your steps rather than replace them. This alone could save around $2,000.
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Concrete can crack from general wear, improper installation, or in response to uneven support from the soil underneath. Small, thin cracks on the surface of aging concrete are often a result of normal wear and tear, while cracks on new concrete likely indicate a problem with installation. Larger cracks or uneven steps can signify a much more severe issue. A concrete contractor should be able to diagnose the cause and repair concrete cracks for you.
With proper maintenance, exterior concrete steps can last 25 to 50 years or more. In most cases, your steps will require some minor repairs over that time frame, including sealing surface cracks and resurfacing to keep them in good condition. Interior concrete steps should last even longer, normally between 50 and 75 years, as they don’t have to stand up to the elements.
You may want to hire a concrete floor contractor to check out your home’s concrete surfaces or inspect your home’s foundation for minor damages they can fix while on site. They may be able to fix cracks in your driveway or garage floor the same day they fix your concrete steps, as well. General concrete repair experts often won’t be able to handle larger jobs, like leveling a sunken foundation, so you’ll need to hire a structural engineer for bigger projects.