Concrete Contractor in Chelmsford, MA - Driveways and Patios Built From the Base Up
Solid Form Lowell Concrete is a Lowell-based concrete contractor pouring driveways, patios, steps and walks in Chelmsford, MA, and replacing the cracked, sinking or uneven slabs that homeowners most often call us about.
Concrete work we do in Chelmsford
Every service below is available in Chelmsford, from new driveways to decorative concrete on a patio. Pick one to read more, or call (978) 441-3345 to ask about yours.
- Concrete driveway building
- Concrete patio construction
- Stamped concrete services
- Concrete sidewalk building
- Garage floor concrete
- Decorative concrete
- Concrete retaining walls
- Concrete floor installation
- Concrete pool decks
- Concrete steps construction
- Slab foundation building
- Foundation installation
- Concrete parking lot building
- Concrete footings
- Foundation raising
- Concrete cutting
What we look at before we pour
Most calls I get across the cities we serve start with a driveway, patio or set of steps that has cracked, sunk or started holding puddles. Before I price new concrete in Chelmsford, I want to know why the old slab failed, because pouring over the same problem gets you the same cracks back. That usually means a look at the edges and what's underneath.
When a job includes a pool, a porch or a similar structure, Chelmsford wants a scaled plot plan showing distances to the lot lines, and its permit system can flag outdoor structures near wetlands for Conservation Commission approval. I'd rather know about either one at the estimate than the week we pour.
What it carries
A driveway carrying cars needs more thickness than a walkway, so we size the slab and its rebar, the steel that holds it together, for the load.
Where water goes
We watch which way rain runs across the yard so the new surface sheds water away from your house, not back toward the foundation.
Truck access
Whether the mixer truck can reach the spot decides if we pour straight from the chute or wheel concrete in, and that shows up in the labor.
Working in Chelmsford from Lowell
We're based in Lowell and work across the cities around it, so a Chelmsford job is handled the same way as one in Lowell, Tewksbury or Westford. When a job needs a permit, we apply as the contractor and tell you which office is involved, such as Chelmsford's Building Department.
I come out to look at the job and write the estimate, so have a plot plan handy if you've got one, and tell me what the old slab has been doing. Our crew lead and finishers do the forming, pouring and finishing.
Price moves with the size and thickness of the slab, how much old concrete comes out, how much base work the ground needs and the finish you pick. The schedule turns on any permit and on curing, the wait while concrete hardens before you use it. Your written estimate spells out what's included.
- Area
- Chelmsford, MA
- Phone
- (978) 441-3345
- Hours
- Mon–Fri: 7 AM–11 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–10 PM
- Based in
- Lowell, MA 01852
Tell us about your Chelmsford job
Tell us what needs pouring and what the old slab is doing. We reply within one business day to set up a free, no-obligation on-site estimate.
To talk now, call
(978) 441-3345Before you hire a concrete contractor
Another question? Call (978) 441-3345
Do I need a permit for a concrete driveway or patio in Chelmsford?
Chelmsford's permit lists don't settle it for flatwork like driveways and patios, so we check with the right office before every job. The building permit FAQ names structural changes, additions and siding, not slabs, while the Department of Public Works lists driveway, trench and land disturbance permits and takes questions at 978-250-5228.
How much is a building permit in Chelmsford, MA?
Chelmsford charges $15.00 for every $1,000 of estimated cost, counting materials, labor, site work and subcontractor work, with a $150.00 minimum on residential jobs. Every building project also needs a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion, which has its own fee. When your job needs a permit, that cost goes on the written estimate.
Should I pull the permit myself or have my concrete contractor do it?
If you apply as your own general contractor under the Homeowner Exemption, you may lose the right to the HIC Arbitration and Guaranty Fund, which is one reason we apply as the contractor. Chelmsford has contractors upload their CSL and HIC Registration with the homeowner contract, and its permit procedures point you to the state's Office of Consumer Affairs.
Will my new concrete driveway crack like the old one did?
A slab can still crack, but most cracking we see starts with a base raked level instead of dug out and packed, so that's where we spend the time. We cut control joints, cuts that give the slab a planned place to crack. If money's tight, trim the finish, since a base can't be fixed once it's under concrete.