Concrete patio construction in Santa Maria CA - a slab that sheds rain and holds up
Cracked, sunken or puddled patio, or just bare dirt out back? We pour a new slab on a packed base, pitched so rain runs off.
Concrete patio construction in Santa Maria usually starts with a slab that cracked, sank at one corner or holds a puddle by the back door, or with bare dirt the homeowner is tired of looking at. At J&D Santa Maria Concrete Company, we build every patio from the ground up, because the crushed stone under the slab is what holds it up and drains it. Often the walk out to it gets a new concrete sidewalk at the same time.
The size, the finish, how much steel goes in and whether an old slab has to come out are what move the price. The schedule turns on that tear-out, any permit work and curing, the wait while fresh concrete gains strength before it takes weight. Your written estimate lists each part, so you see your own number.
How we build a concrete patio
- I walk every job. I come out to look at every patio myself, and our own crew does the forming, pouring and finishing. We've worked that way since we started in 2017.
- Licensed and insured, ask to see it. We're licensed and insured. Ask to see the paperwork when I come out, because anyone working in your yard should show it to you without a fuss.
- Base dug out and packed. We dig out soft dirt and pack the stone tight, because a base that's only raked level settles with the dirt. Tight budget? Trim the finish, not the base.
- Steel matched to the load. Rebar, a grid of steel bars that holds the slab together, is the stronger choice, and wire mesh is common where nothing heavy sits. Tell us if a hot tub is coming.
- Pitched so rain runs off. We pitch the slab away from the house just enough that rain runs off without you seeing the slope. I check where your water goes now before we set a form.
What goes wrong with old patios
| Problem | What it looks like | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sunken corner | What it looks like: One edge has dropped, often by a downspout or the lawn | Usual fix: Break out, dig out and pack a new base |
| Water pooling | What it looks like: Puddles sit for hours or drain toward the back door | Usual fix: Repour pitched away from the house |
| Cracks across the middle | What it looks like: Cracks wander across the slab instead of running in straight lines | Usual fix: New slab with control joints, saw cuts that steer cracking |
| Dusty, chipping top | What it looks like: Surface turns powdery or flakes under chair legs and bare feet | Usual fix: Repour, finished and cured right, not in midday heat |
Settle the finish before the pour
- Broom finish. The most affordable of the three, brushed while it sets so the surface grips bare feet and wet shoes. It suits a plain, hard-working patio.
- Exposed aggregate. The mid-range choice, with the top washed off so the small stones show, which hides dirt and gives good footing. It fits when you want texture without a pattern.
- Stamped. The premium choice, pressed and colored to look like stone, brick or tile. If that's the look you're after, start with our stamped concrete services.
How your patio job runs
- You reach out. Call (805) 268-7763 or send the form, and we get back to you to set a time for me to see the site.
- I measure the site. I measure, look at the ground, where the water runs and how we'll get concrete back there, then send a written estimate that lists each part of the job.
- Forms set and checked. Once you say go, we handle any permit work, dig out and pack the base and set the forms, then look them over with you before we pour.
- Pour, finish, cure. We pour before the day heats up, finish it and cut the joints, let it cure before you use it, and haul off the forms and the mess.
What keeps a patio sound for years
Most of a patio's life is decided before the pour, in the base, the steel and the joints. After that, stay off it until it's cured, and keep downspouts and sprinklers aimed away from the edges so they don't wash out the ground beside it.
We're based in Santa Maria and pour patios for homeowners and small property owners here, in Orcutt and Nipomo, and across the cities around it, from southern San Luis Obispo County down to Lompoc and Buellton. Call or send the form and I'll come out and take a look for your estimate.
Tell us about your patio
Send the rough size, the finish you want and any plans for a hot tub or a cover. We reply within one business day to set a visit.
(805) 268-7763- Free estimate at your property
- Written out line by line
- No obligation to hire us
Patio questions we hear in Santa Maria
How much does a concrete patio cost in Santa Maria?
A poured concrete patio in Santa Barbara usually costs about $6 to $12 per square foot, which is a market figure for that area, not our price. Steel reinforcement and tearing out an old patio both push the cost per square foot up. Your written estimate from us lists each part for your own yard.
Do stamped or exposed aggregate patios need to be resealed?
Yes, both benefit from resealing, typically every couple of years, to protect the surface and keep the color rich. It's upkeep worth weighing when you pick a finish, right alongside the price difference between broom, aggregate and stamped.
How long will a concrete patio last?
Broom, exposed aggregate and stamped patios all last for decades when they're poured on a properly prepared base. How long yours lasts depends far more on the base, the thickness and the joints than on the finish, so ask any contractor how they handle those three.
Who handles patio permits in Santa Maria, CA?
The city's Building and Safety Division handles permits, and its permit staff can give fee estimates, plan check status and permit history. If you're unsure whether your patio needs one, that's the office to ask. When a job calls for a permit, we file the application with the city or county office and set up the inspections.
Does a concrete patio contractor need a license in California?
Yes for flat work like a patio, which falls under the state's C-8 concrete license. Someone unlicensed can only take a job within the state's $1,000 minor work limit, and only when it needs no permit and they work alone. A lattice patio cover is outside a C-8 license, which allows wood only for concrete forms.