SW · P-05 · Walks and steps
Sidewalks, walkways and steps
Front walks, side paths, city sidewalk squares, steps and landings. Even risers, real handrail mounts and a slope that sheds water instead of ice.
- Thickness
- 4 in walks, 6 in where a driveway crosses
- Base
- 4 in of 21AA crushed gravel, compacted
- Joints
- Every 4 to 5 ft, the classic sidewalk square
- Price
- from $10 per sq ft
Scope
What we pour
Walks and steps are where people actually get hurt, so we build them to be boring in the best way: even steps, a landing deep enough to open the storm door, a slope that drains, and a surface that grips in the wet. Narrow work takes more forming per square foot than a driveway, which is why walks cost a little more per foot.
- 01 Front walks from the drive or street to the door
- 02 Side-yard and backyard paths
- 03 City sidewalk squares, with the right-of-way permit
- 04 Front steps and landings, replaced or new
- 05 Ramps with a gentle slope and a handrail
Specification
Built like this
This is what goes on the written quote. If another bid does not say these things, ask.
- Thickness
- 4 in walks, 6 in where a driveway crosses
- Base
- 4 in of 21AA crushed gravel, compacted
- Joints
- Every 4 to 5 ft, the classic sidewalk square
- Cross slope
- About 1/4 in per foot so water runs off, not into ice
- Steps
- Even risers of about 7 in, treads 11 in or deeper
- Landing
- At least 3 ft deep, more where a storm door swings out
- Rails
- Mounting sleeves cast in where steps have 4 or more risers
Top: Broom across the walk, joints every 4 to 5 ft
Slab: 4,000 psi, air-entrained; 6 in where a drive crosses
Steel: Fiber in the batch, mesh at crossings
21AA crushed gravel, compacted
Native soil, soft spots dug out and replaced
Prices
What it costs
-
Front walk, broom finish
Narrow work, more forming per foot
$10 to $14 per sq ft
-
City sidewalk square, 5 × 5 ft
Removal and permit fee extra at cost
$400 to $650 each
-
Cast-in-place step
Per step, up to 5 ft wide
$450 to $750 each
-
Landing with 3 steps
Typical 4 × 5 ft landing
$2,400 to $3,600
Worked example
Front walk, 4 × 36 ft, broom
- Area 36 ft × 4 ft = 144 sq ft
- Broom finish: 144 sq ft × $8 to $12 $1,152 to $1,728
- Tear-out and haul-away: 144 sq ft × $2.50 to $4.50 $360 to $648
- Under the $2,400 minimum job, so the minimum applies.
Range, rounded to $50 $2,400 to $2,400
Run your own numbersRanges include digging, gravel base, forms, steel, mix, joints and curing unless a line says otherwise. Where you land in a range depends on access for the truck, how much soft soil comes out and how complicated the shape is. The firm number comes after the site visit and does not move unless the scope does.
Before you sign
Honest notes
Cracking
Walks get a joint every 4 to 5 ft. It looks old-fashioned because it works: cracks stay in the grooves.
Curing
Walk on it after 24 to 48 hours. If it is your only way to the door, we pour half one day and half the next.
Sealing
Worth it on walks, which get salt from boots. Every 3 to 5 years with a penetrating sealer.
Freeze-thaw
Steps take the most salt. Use sand the first winter and calcium-magnesium acetate after, never ammonium-based products.
Schedule
How the job runs
-
Site visit
Measure the rise
We measure the total rise to the door so every step comes out even.
-
Day 1
Out with the old
Old walk and steps broken out, base dug and compacted.
-
Day 2
Forms and pour
Walk forms and step forms set, poured and finished, rail sleeves cast in.
-
Day 3
Strip and clean
Forms off, edges backfilled, a temporary plank path if you need one.
Questions
Asked about walks and steps
Who is responsible for the city sidewalk?
In most of our area the homeowner maintains the public sidewalk in front of the house. We pour to the city's spec and file the right-of-way permit.
Can you keep my door usable during the job?
Yes. For steps we can pour the landing and steps in one go and lay a plank path, or split a long walk into two pours.
Why do walks cost more per foot than driveways?
A 4 ft walk has much more form board and edging per square foot than a 20 ft wide drive, and the truck and crew still come for the day.
Next step
Get your walks and steps price in writing.
Tell us what you want poured and roughly how big. We walk the site, check the base and the slope, and send a written quote within two business days.