Concrete Contractor in Palo Alto - Driveways and Patios Built on Solid Ground
Professional Union City Concrete is a concrete contractor based in Union City, CA, and we build driveways, patios, walkways, retaining walls and slabs for homeowners in Palo Alto, starting with the ground under the concrete.
Homes and yards across Palo Alto
Many of the calls we get from Palo Alto come from homeowners whose driveway, patio or front walk has simply done its time, from the established streets of Old Palo Alto to the neighborhoods closer to the Baylands. A lot of these houses have been remodeled more than once, and the flatwork around them, the driveways, patios and walks that lie flat on the ground, is often much older than the kitchen inside.
We do the same work up the Peninsula in Redwood City, and we see the same kinds of problems there. Old slabs cracked because the ground under them was never packed, and big trees have been lifting the edges for years, so the first thing I look at here is the ground, not the surface.
Permits, scheduling and price in Palo Alto
Building permits in Palo Alto come from the city's Development Services office, which also checks drawings against the codes and sends out the inspectors. Its list of example projects that need a permit covers things like remodels, re-roofs and new homes, and it doesn't name driveways or patios, so I don't guess. We ask the city before we put a date on the calendar, and when a job needs a permit, we take care of the application and inspections and keep you informed, because that review is what sets your start date. If you're comparing bids, the city requires businesses with a fixed place of business in Palo Alto to hold a business registry certificate, so it's fair to ask a local company for theirs. We're based in Union City, licensed and fully insured, and our promise is "Your satisfaction, guaranteed."
Most of what moves the price here is what you can't see at first: how much old concrete has to come out, how deep we dig to reach firm ground, whether tree roots are in the way, how close the truck can get and the finish you pick. Beyond any permit review, the schedule mostly turns on the tear-out and on picking a good pour day. We come across the bay from Union City for these jobs, the same way we head down to Fremont or up to San Mateo, so we plan crew start times around the traffic. Your written estimate spells out each of these for your own property.
Services in Palo Alto, CA
Concrete driveway building
Older driveways here often crack where roots lifted them. We tear out, dig to firm subgrade, the soil the slab rests on, and pack it before pouring.
Concrete patio construction
Many backyard patios here slope toward the house, so water pools by the back door. We set the grade to carry water away from your walls.
Concrete retaining walls
Where a Palo Alto yard steps down, the soil needs holding back. We build concrete retaining walls with drainage behind them, so water doesn't push them out.
Slab foundation building
Rebuilds and backyard additions here need a slab that stays put. We pack the base and set rebar, the steel that ties the slab together, before pouring.
Garage floor concrete
Garage floors in older homes are often cracked and uneven after decades of cars. We break out the old slab, rebuild the base and pour a level floor.
Concrete steps construction
Front steps on older houses often settle away from the porch and crack at the corners. We form, reinforce and pour new steps on solid footings.
What Palo Alto lots ask of concrete
Big trees are a large part of why people love these streets, and they're also why so many driveways and walks here end up lifted, cracked and uneven. Roots keep growing under a slab long after it's poured, so when we replace one, we dig down to firm ground and pack a proper base instead of pouring over loose dirt. How far we can cut back roots depends on the tree, and that's a call I'd rather make with you on site than leave to chance.
Water is the other thing we watch, because pooling water against a foundation usually means a slab pitched the wrong way. The city also keeps flood hazard regulations in its code beside its residential code, so if your project might be affected, we'll raise it with the city early instead of finding out at inspection.
Get a written estimate for your Palo Alto concrete job
We reply to every call and message within one business day to set a time for me to come out to your Palo Alto property. The estimate is free, done on site and written out so you can see what's included, and there's no pressure to book.
How a Palo Alto job runs
Call and set a visit
Call (510) 319-6825 or send the form, and we'll set a time for me to come out. It helps if you're home so you can walk me through what you have in mind.
Walk the site and estimate
I look at the slab, the ground and where the water goes, then write an estimate that lists what's included and what isn't. We talk through the choices before you decide anything, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Prepare the ground and pour
Once any permit steps are done, our crew of finishers and laborers prepares the ground, pours and finishes, with me checking in on site. We avoid pouring in midday heat, because a slab that dries too fast ends up with a weak, dusty top.
Walk the finished job together
When it's done, I walk the job with you and explain how to care for it while it cures, the stretch when the concrete is still gaining strength. You'll know when it's ready to walk on and when it's ready for your car.
Palo Alto concrete questions answered
Do I need a building permit for a concrete driveway or patio in Palo Alto?
The city's list of example projects doesn't settle it for driveways and patios, so it's worth asking before work starts. The examples that need a building permit include remodels, re-roofs, new homes and backyard units, which is why we check with the city on each job. Some minor projects qualify for an instant building permit, which can shorten the wait on a small job, and the city explains how to apply for a building permit on its site.
Which building codes apply to a concrete project in Palo Alto?
Projects submitted to the city after January 1, 2026 have to meet the 2025 California Building Codes along with the city's own amendments. That covers anything we'd submit for you now, so when a job needs a permit, we prepare the drawings and the work to that standard.
How do I send permit plans to the City of Palo Alto?
The city only accepts submittals in digital format, so plans go in as digital files rather than paper. When your job needs a permit, we prepare and send those files for you and keep you informed as the review moves along.
Is an emailed PDF invoice from the City of Palo Alto real?
Be careful, because the city says its staff don't send emailed PDF invoices that ask you to reply for a separate payment link. If you get one, you can treat it as coming from outside the city, and if you're unsure about a fee on your job, ask us and we'll tell you where things stand.
How much does a concrete driveway cost in Palo Alto?
It depends on your property, and your written estimate gives you the figure for your own driveway. Size, slab thickness, tear-out and base work matter most, and stamped or colored concrete costs more than a plain broom finish, the light brushed texture that keeps the surface from getting slick. If the budget is tight, I'd rather keep the finish simple than cut the base, because the base is hidden on day one and it's what keeps a slab from settling later.
What is the best way to keep a new concrete driveway from cracking in Palo Alto?
Start with a dug-out, packed base, a slope that carries water away, and control joints, grooves cut so the slab cracks in a straight line where we choose instead of at random. Concrete shrinks as it cures, so joints that are cut late or skipped leave cracks in places nobody picked. Most of the cracked driveways we replace here failed because the base was only raked level, so that's where we spend the time.
Tell us about your Palo Alto concrete project
We answer the phone until 9 PM every day, so you can call (510) 319-6825 after work or send the form whenever it suits you.
