Concrete work in a freeze-thaw climate succeeds or fails below the surface. Ontario ground moves every winter, and the thing that determines whether your driveway is intact in ten years is the base underneath it - how deep the granular is, how well it was compacted, and how the site drains. None of that is visible once the pour is finished, which is precisely why it is where corners get cut.
When you compare quotes, you are mostly comparing base preparation and concrete specification. Ask for both in writing. A quote that specifies base depth, concrete strength, air entrainment and control joint spacing is from someone who intends to build something that lasts.
What concrete contractors do
- Driveways, walkways and patios
- Garage and basement floors
- Steps, porches and landings
- Stamped, exposed aggregate and broom finishes
- Foundation crack repair and parging
- Footings and small structural pads
Does a concrete contractor need a licence in Ontario?
No provincial trade licence is required for flatwork. Structural concrete may require engineered drawings and a building permit.
General liability insurance and WSIB clearance
Standard checks for any trade working on your property.
Building permit, where applicable
Generally not required to replace an existing driveway. Usually required for structural elements, retaining walls above a certain height, and anything supporting a building.
Verify with: Your municipal building department.
Municipal driveway or curb-cut approval
Changing a driveway width or its connection to the road normally requires approval, and municipalities do enforce this.
Locate request before excavation
Ontario law requires underground utility locates before digging. The contractor should be arranging this through Ontario One Call, at no cost.
Verify with: Ontario One Call coordinates utility locates province-wide.
Open the official lookupWhat it costs in Ontario
Flatwork is priced per square foot, and removal of existing concrete is often quoted separately - check whether tear-out and disposal are in the number you are comparing. Decorative finishes add meaningfully to cost and, in the case of stamped concrete, add ongoing sealing maintenance.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Driveway, per square footBroom finish, reinforced. Removal of the old driveway may be extra. | $12 – $22 |
| Walkway, per square footHigher per foot than driveways because of edge work relative to area. | $14 – $25 |
| Patio, per square footDepends on finish and access for equipment. | $14 – $28 |
| Stamped or decorative finish, added costRequires resealing every two to four years to keep its appearance. | +$6 – $14 / sq ft |
| Garage floor, per square footSimpler than exterior work - no frost considerations under a heated slab. | $8 – $16 |
| Concrete steps and landingForming is labour-intensive, so small jobs carry high per-unit cost. | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Foundation crack injection, per crackPolyurethane or epoxy from the interior. Exterior excavation costs far more. | $500 – $1,200 |
These are planning estimates for Ontario, not quotes, and they move with material prices and demand. Use them to sanity-check a quote, not to argue one down.
Questions to ask before you hire
- 1How deep is the granular base, and will it be compacted in lifts?
- 2What concrete strength are you specifying, and is it air-entrained? (Air entrainment is what resists freeze-thaw damage.)
- 3What reinforcement is included - rebar, mesh, or fibre?
- 4Where will control joints go and how deep will they be cut?
- 5How is the slope set so water drains away from the house?
- 6Is removal and disposal of the existing surface included?
- 7How long before I can walk on it, and drive on it?
Warning signs
- A quote with no base preparation detail whatsoever.
- Leftover material from another job offered at a discount. You have no idea what mix it is or how long it has been in the truck.
- No mention of control joints. Concrete cracks; joints decide where.
- Pouring in weather at or below freezing without any cold-weather protection plan.
- Adding water to the mix on site to make it easier to place. It weakens the finished slab significantly.
How to read reviews for this trade
Concrete failures show up in years two through five, after the first few freeze-thaw cycles. Reviews written immediately after the pour tell you about tidiness and communication, which matter, but not about durability. Prioritise older reviews and any that mention how the surface looked after a winter or two.