Concrete Contractor in Orem, UT - New Concrete Built Around Your Home

The city's permit list doesn't name driveways either way, so it's one to ask about before anything gets poured. The list does say a drive approach, the piece that connects the street to your driveway, needs an engineering permit rather than a building permit, and the city says its lists aren't complete and asks residents to check on work that isn't on them by calling Community Development at 801-229-7198. We check with the city on every job before we schedule it, and if a permit is needed, we take care of the paperwork and the inspections.

A retaining wall under 4 feet tall, measured from grade, doesn't need a building permit in Orem unless it holds back a surcharge, extra weight such as a driveway or a slope sitting above it. If the wall is part of a concrete or masonry fence, or a fence includes a retaining wall, it goes through the city's building permit portal. Anything taller or carrying a load is one we confirm with the city before it goes on the schedule.

Each Orem driveway is priced on its own size, tear-out and base work, and I'll give you your figure when I come look at it. Breaking out and hauling off an old driveway costs more than pouring on open ground, a tight side yard where the truck can't reach adds labor, and stamped or colored concrete costs more than a plain broom finish, the light texture that gives shoes and tires some grip. As I said above, the base is the last place I'd trim.

Most of the time it's what's under or around the slab, not the concrete itself, like a base that was raked flat instead of dug out and packed, water running toward the slab or the house, or control joints cut late or skipped. Control joints are the grooves cut on purpose so the slab cracks along a line we chose instead of wherever it wants. Concrete still cracks, I'll be honest about that, but with a packed base and joints cut on time it usually cracks in the joints where you won't notice.

The city says some minor permits can normally be done within one business day, but permits that need plans and review take longer. Applications go through the city's online portal. If your concrete job needs a permit, we start that process before we put you on the schedule, so the waiting happens before your driveway is torn up, not after.

Orem licenses the businesses and occupations working within its city limits, and each license runs one year, expiring on the last day of the month it was first taken out. Some kinds of business have added requirements, and the city gives details by call or text at 801-229-7198. We're licensed and insured, and you're welcome to ask about it when I come out.