Concrete patios in Long Beach and Lakewood
A patio slab is mostly about what you can't see: the base under it, the slope away from the house and where the joints go. We get those right first, then give you the finish you want on top.
Or call / text (657) 300-7519 with a few photos.
Finish options
Choose a look for your patio
Every option is priced on the same base and slab. Tell us which ones you like and we'll price them side by side.
Broom finish
- Look
- Fine brushed texture, plain gray or integral color.
- Upkeep
- Reseal every 2 to 3 years if you want it to stay stain resistant.
- Relative cost
- Lowest per square foot.
Stamped
- Look
- Pressed patterns like slate, ashlar stone, cobble or wood plank, with release color.
- Upkeep
- Reseal every 2 to 3 years to keep the color and protect the texture.
- Relative cost
- Mid to high, depends on pattern and colors.
[[CONFIRM: client photo of exposed aggregate]]
Exposed aggregate
- Look
- Top paste washed off to show the stone underneath. Grippy and hides dirt.
- Upkeep
- Seal after cure; occasional rinse. Good around pools.
- Relative cost
- Mid, a step above broom finish.
Stained or colored
- Look
- Color mixed into the concrete or stained into the surface after it cures.
- Upkeep
- Sealer keeps the color even; UV and pool water wear it over time.
- Relative cost
- Low to mid on top of the base slab.
Pavers
- Look
- Individual units on a compacted base. Many shapes and blends.
- Upkeep
- Re-sand joints and reseal every few years; single units can be lifted and reset.
- Relative cost
- Mid to high, more labor per square foot.
What's included
What goes into the job
These are the line items you'll see in your written quote. If something doesn't apply to your project, the quote says so.
| Excavation and base | Dig out to depth, remove roots and soft spots, then place and compact 3 to 4 inches of class II base. |
|---|---|
| Slab thickness | 4 inches for foot traffic and furniture. Thicker at edges or under a future cover or outdoor kitchen. |
| Reinforcement | Rebar grid or welded wire mesh, chaired so it sits in the slab instead of on the dirt. |
| Slope and drainage | About 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot away from the house so water doesn't sit against the stucco. |
| Control joints | Cut or tooled every 8 to 10 feet in each direction so cracks follow the lines. |
| Finish and sealing | The finish you choose; sealer on decorative work once it has cured. |
| Cleanup | Forms, spoils and washout hauled away. |
Projects
Patios: recent work
[[CONFIRM: these are your own jobs, plus city for each]]
Process
How a patio job runs
Site visit
We walk the area, check grade and drainage, take measurements and talk through finishes.
[[CONFIRM: usually within X days of your call]]Written quote
You get a written price with slab thickness, reinforcement, finish and what is excluded spelled out.
[[CONFIRM: X days after the visit]]Forming and prep
Demo if needed, excavation, compacted base, forms set to grade, rebar or mesh placed and inspected if a permit applies.
[[CONFIRM: typical duration]]Pour and finish
Concrete placed, screeded, floated and finished, with control joints tooled or saw-cut the same day or next morning.
[[CONFIRM: typical duration]]Cure and walkthrough
Forms stripped and cleanup done. We walk the job with you and go over cure times and sealing.
[[CONFIRM: typical duration]]
FAQ
Patios questions
How soon can we use the patio?
Light foot traffic after about 24 to 48 hours. Furniture and grills after about a week. Concrete keeps gaining strength for roughly 28 days.
Will my patio crack?
Concrete shrinks as it cures, so some hairline cracking is normal. Control joints, a compacted base and proper reinforcement keep cracks small and in the joints.
Can you pour next to my existing slab?
Yes. We dowel or isolate the new slab from the old one depending on the situation, so the two can move without tearing each other apart.
Should I go stamped or pavers?
Stamped is one monolithic slab with a pattern and usually costs less per square foot. Pavers cost more but can be lifted and reset if a section settles or a line needs to go under it.
Do I need a permit for a patio?
A plain on-grade patio often doesn't need one, but a patio cover, footings or work near property lines can. We check with your city before we price it. [[CONFIRM: how you handle permits]]
Related services
Get a quote for your patio
Send us the basics online, or call or text (657) 300-7519. We come out, measure and price it in writing.