Concrete steps construction in Dickinson ND - steps built for North Dakota winters
What does it take to build new concrete steps in Dickinson?
Vertex Dickinson Concrete builds concrete steps in Dickinson two ways, poured right at your house or precast and set in place. I come out to look at your doorway and help you pick the type that fits, and then our own crew does the work with me there running it.
Most calls about steps start with chipped edges, a cracked tread, or a set that's sunk away from the door. That usually traces back to the ground underneath, what we call the subgrade, settling or holding water, so we dig it out and pack it before anything new goes on. Concrete can still crack a little, but a packed base goes a long way toward keeping new steps from sinking like the old ones.
For a poured set we build forms on the spot and lay in rebar, the steel bars that hold the concrete together, then pour and finish it. A precast set is made ahead and goes on that same packed base, square to the house. If you're building new, we also handle slab foundation building and foundation installation, so the steps get planned with the rest of the concrete.
What moves the price is mostly the type and size of your steps, and the schedule mostly turns on the weather, because a fresh pour can't be left to freeze. Your own figure comes from the estimate, once I've seen the spot.
What new steps take
- Breaking out and hauling old steps
- Digging out and packing the base
- Checking where the water runs
- Forms and rebar for poured steps
- Setting precast steps square and level
- Keeping fresh concrete from freezing
What to weigh before building concrete steps
What adds to the cost
Breaking out old steps and hauling them off adds work, and so does a wide landing or a tall climb up to a high door, since each takes more concrete and labor.
Weather and curing
Fresh concrete needs time to cure, the slow hardening that gives it strength, before it takes foot traffic. In cool weather we plan ahead how we'll keep a poured set from freezing.
Broom finish or smooth
I'd pick a broom finish for steps, a light brushed texture across each tread, because a smooth top looks clean but turns slick once it's wet or icy.
Concrete steps questions in Dickinson
How much do concrete steps cost in Dickinson?
Across the US, putting in 5 to 10 concrete steps, poured or precast, usually runs about $500 to $5,000 for the whole job. Where yours lands mostly depends on which type you pick and how tall and wide the set is, since precast pricing goes by height and width. I'll give you a figure for your own steps when I come out to look.
Should I pick poured or precast concrete steps?
Pick precast if keeping the cost down matters most, and poured if you want steps sized to fit your door or landing. Precast steps are made hollow and easier to put together, so they cost less, while poured steps cost more but let us build them to the size you want. Either kind can last 30 to 40 years with proper care, and I'm happy to walk you through both when I'm out there.
What is the best time of year to pour concrete steps in North Dakota?
Late spring through early fall is the easier window, because one concrete trade group advises caution about pouring outside in late fall, winter or early spring, when concrete can freeze soon after it's placed while it's still soaked. Fresh concrete that freezes can lose much of its strength and won't hold up, so it should be kept from freezing for about two days after the pour. If your job lands in cool weather, we plan ahead how we'll protect the new steps.
How do I take care of new concrete steps in their first winter?
Go easy on deicers, because one concrete trade group advises skipping deicing chemicals the first winter and using them in moderate amounts after that. A Michigan concrete trade group also says sealers usually need redoing every three to five years, and it's time when water stops beading on the surface.
Does a contractor need a license to build concrete steps in North Dakota?
Yes, when a job's cost, value or price is over $4,000, the person doing the work has to be licensed as a contractor in North Dakota, and that includes subcontractors and contractors from out of state. You can use the state's contractor search to see whether a license is in good standing. We're licensed and insured.
Do I need a permit to build concrete steps in Dickinson?
Check with the City of Dickinson first, because the city handles building permits for Stark County and they're required before building or significantly renovating a structure. We check with the city on every job before we start, take care of the permits that fall to us as the contractor, and help you with any that fall to you.
Concrete steps near you
We're based in Dickinson and build concrete steps there and in the cities around it. Pick your area below, or call (701) 495-9954 if yours isn't listed.
Other services
- 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
- Slab foundation building
- Foundation installation
- Concrete parking lot building
- Concrete footings
- Foundation raising
- Concrete cutting
Get a free estimate on your steps
Tell us how many steps you need and the height and width you want. I'll reply within one business day to set up your free, no-obligation estimate.