Repairing broken concrete steps costs $500 on average, depending on the size of the repair. Most homeowners spend between $250 and $750.
Concrete step repair costs can be as little as $20 for a simple patch. Extensive repairs can cost upwards of $800, but most homeowners pay between $250 and $750 on the project. Homeowners often put concrete steps in rugged or high-traffic areas like front entryways, patios, or basements because they’re sturdy.
Concrete is just about the most durable building material on the market aside from steel and iron. Nonetheless, concrete steps can chip, crack, sink, or become uneven over time, causing a potential safety hazard. The good news is that fixing the issue doesn’t have to be expensive. We’ll explain what your concrete step repair will cost below.
The cost of concrete repairs usually 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 |
Your contractor should factor both materials and labor into their quote, and the prices for each will vary based on a few factors.
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 toward the lower end of the price range, and is usually 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.
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 |
Whether you're repairing steps or pouring a new concrete slab, concrete costs between $3 and $4 per square foot, and you’ll usually 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—around 75% to 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 mason. A concrete contractor costs about $30 to $40 per hour. A mason, who has more specialized expertise, costs about $40 to $75 per hour. On average, expect to pay approximately $325 for the labor.
The most significant factor influencing the cost to repair concrete steps is the type of damage. There’s a big difference—both in materials and labor—between filling a small hole and replacing several sinking steps that are beyond repair.
You can patch small cracks and holes for about $20 using a DIY concrete patch kit or self-leveling crack sealer. These products are available at most hardware stores.
If you hire a professional cement mason or concrete contractor, filling cracks and holes can cost as little as $100. Even if it’s a small crack, contractors and masons will charge a minimum fee.
“It’s important to note that based on the reason for the crack, such as freeze thaw, tree roots, or not enough rebar, movement may occur,” says Matt DiBara, Expert Review Board member and owner of DiBara Masonry. “So the crack filler you use should depend on the reason for the damage.”
If your concrete steps are uneven or sunken, you’ll need to level concrete. You can do this in a few ways:
Mudjacking: A professional mason or general contractor pumps a mix of water, dirt, and cement under the steps to raise them. Mudjacking costs around $3–$6 per sq. ft. and lasts 5–10 years.
Sandjacking: Like mudjacking, but this uses sand instead of dirt and costs around $3–$7 per sq. ft.
Foam jacking: A contractor pumps polyurethane foam under the steps to level them. This costs about $5–$25 per sq. ft. and lasts longer than mudjacking.
If your steps haven’t sunk more than an inch, you may be able to level them using self-leveling concrete, which costs about $1 to $5 per square foot, plus labor.
“When considering this option, it greatly depends on how strong the concrete is,” says DiBara. “Brittle concrete is very difficult to lift and runs the risk of further damage. Strong reinforced concrete that has settled typically lifts great. It’s a good practice to consult the pros on the risks and rewards of raising your concrete.”
Sometimes, it’s more cost-effective to replace a step than to try to save it. Replacing concrete steps costs about $300 per step, including labor. Precast concrete steps only cost about $100 per step, including labor. If you have custom stairs, using pre-cast steps isn’t usually an option.
If your concrete is aging, you may want to have it resurfaced, which is an inexpensive way to give your steps a new, fresh look, provided the existing steps are structurally sound.
A contractor will fix cracks and holes during this process and pour a new concrete overlay on top of your steps. This also includes a concreting coating or sealer, which raises the cost. Typically it costs:
$300–$600 to resurface concrete steps
$100–$300 to seal concrete steps
You can paint your indoor stairs yourself or hire a professional interior painter to do the job for about $350 to $450, depending on the size of the staircase and how many coats of paint you need. Exterior steps tend to cost a bit more because they need additional coats and a more protective paint to stand up to the elements.
Hand railings increase the safety of concrete steps. In some cities and states, a working handrail is a legal requirement. It will cost about $300 to $450 for a contractor to replace a basic 10-foot handrail.
If you have shallow chips and cracks less than 1/4-inch deep and your steps are still level, you can repair them rather than replace them to save money. But if you have large, deep cracks that suggest structural damage or sinking issues, the only safe solution is to replace them.
Repairing concrete steps averages around $350, but replacing existing steps involves more work and will drive up your price.
The cost to replace existing concrete steps includes demolition and debris removal and ranges from $2,400 to $2,700. Expect additional costs of between $30 and $40 per hour in cases that involve replacing a failing subbase or installing a new one.
You'll save an average of around $325 on labor costs if you DIY, 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 about $20. You can also touch up chipped or faded paint on your own for the cost of 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, including 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.
While significant concrete step repairs are typically the work of skilled concrete professionals and are subject to meeting building code specifics, there are a few things you can do to save some money on repairs and minimize the likelihood of future repair needs.
If you have the means and access to proper equipment, performing any demolition, removal of existing concrete steps, and disposing concrete can reduce professional labor fees during replacements.
Shop around for at least three price quotes when searching for a concrete contractor for your repair project.
Maintain your existing concrete surfaces with a sealer and keep up with minor DIY crack repairs before they become larger issues.
Consider doing smaller repairs, like sealing small cracks and other aesthetic repairs yourself.
Repair over replace, whenever possible. This alone could save around $2,000.
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 usually a result of normal wear and tear, while cracks on new concrete more 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, usually 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 that 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 usually 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.
