How Much A Sidewalk Repair Could Cost A Homeowner

Damaged sidewalks can be awkward and unsightly, and in some cases, with sunken and raised slabs, a serious safety risk. If the sidewalk in front of your home is a trip hazard, it would be wise to repair it sooner rather than later. Professional concrete repair jobs can vary widely in terms of cost, as factors such as the local price of concrete and the size of the job can significantly impact the total price, but most jobs fall within the range of $500 to $2,500. The longer your sidewalk is, or the more slabs that need repair, the more expensive the job is likely to become, as most sidewalk repair contractors charge by the square foot of concrete that needs support. 

Before funding the job yourself, double-check to make sure repairing the sidewalk is your responsibility. Depending on where you live, your town, city, county, or municipal government may be on the hook for taking care of any sidewalk issues. But if you are responsible for the full cost of replacing your sidewalk, there are some things you should know before you begin.

The main variable affecting how expensive your sidewalk repair project will be is the size of the job itself. How many sidewalk slabs will need repairing? Are the repairs small cracks or holes that are mostly aesthetic issues or large gaping gaps that pose a serious safety concern? Are any slabs raised or sunken, necessitating concrete leveling? What material is your sidewalk made of?

Simply filling a small hole in a slab will probably be a relatively cheap fix that a homeowner can do themselves without bringing in the support of an external contractor. If you are embarking on a process of slab replacement, you might want to think about bringing in outside help, which will raise your overall costs. Contractors need to account not only for the cost of the labor, which is usually charged by the hour but also for the equipment to remove the old concrete and lay new concrete slabs. The price of replacement normally costs between $150 and $300 per slab. If you're looking at a larger job, you might want to ask about a bulk discount for removing and laying multiple slabs.

Another variable that may significantly impact cost is if your sidewalk is made of something other than concrete. Brick and stone sidewalks can cost almost double the price to fix. On the other hand, if your sidewalk is made of asphalt, you may be in luck — some asphalt repairs can cost less than half of concrete costs.

In the case of fixing cracks and holes, most homeowners can complete this job themselves. You can buy a concrete repair kit at most home improvement stores, which will provide you with a tube of concrete sealant/epoxy and a caulk gun for applying the goo to the crack or hole. This type of job will usually stay under $50, plus a time investment for a DIY project.

Sidewalk leveling can be a little more complicated. Sunken concrete squares can be lifted back up through a process known as mudjacking or slabjacking. You will need to drill 1-inch holes into the sunken slab and inject it with limestone, which will raise it back up. This process can be tricky, so it may be one of those times you want to bring in external help. Talk to any possible contractors about the cost of leveling the slab versus replacing the slab entirely — typically, leveling is less expensive, but some contractors won't mudjack just one slab, so if you have only one slab that's sunken, it might be more cost-effective to replace the slab. It's also important to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the unevenness of your sidewalk, such as tree roots, which may cost additional money to remove.