ServicesConcrete Steps and Stairs
Concrete Steps and Stairs in Orange, CA
We form and pour new concrete steps for your front door, back patio, garage entry or garden slope. Every riser is the same height, every tread is deep enough for a full foot, and one person handles your questions from the first visit to the final sweep.
Steps That Feel Solid Under Every Foot
Steps get used more than almost any other concrete at your home, and small mistakes show up fast. A riser that is half an inch taller than the others catches toes. A tread that slopes the wrong way holds water and grows slick. We build steps so they are comfortable to climb, shed water away from the house and stay put for decades.
Most of our step work replaces old brick, wood or settled concrete stairs, or adds new steps where a patio, walkway or grade change needs them. We build new rather than patching what is there.
You deal with one person the whole way. The same contact who measures your steps answers your calls, schedules the pour and checks the finished work with you.
What Your Step Project Includes
- 01
Removal of the old steps
We break out and haul away old concrete, brick or wood steps, along with the base underneath if it has gone soft.
- 02
Layout to code
We measure the total rise and divide it into equal risers, typically no taller than 7 3/4 inches, with treads at least 10 inches deep. A landing goes in at the door where one is needed.
- 03
Footings and steel
Steps sit on a compacted base with rebar tied through the treads. Where the steps meet your foundation or a slab, we drill and dowel so they move as one piece instead of pulling away.
- 04
Finish and drainage
Treads get a slight forward pitch so rain runs off, plus a broom or light texture finish for grip. Edges are tooled smooth so they hold up to heels and kicks.
- 05
Handrail planning
Stairs with four or more risers need a handrail. We lay out the steps so a rail has a solid place to mount and talk through options with you before we pour.
Questions about Concrete Steps and Stairs?
Call(714) 410-5411Signs It Is Time for New Steps
A gap where steps meet the house
Steps that have settled or tipped away from the foundation let water run toward your home. The gap usually keeps growing.
Risers that feel uneven
If guests trip on the same step, the heights likely vary. Uneven risers are a common cause of falls and a common inspection note when selling.
Crumbling or flaking treads
Surface loss on the edges and treads makes footing unreliable, especially when wet from sprinklers.
Old brick or wood stairs
Loose mortar joints and soft wood wobble under weight. Concrete gives you one solid piece.
A doorway with no landing
Stepping out of a door straight onto a step is awkward with groceries or a stroller. A proper landing fixes that.
How a Step Job Runs
- 1
Site visit and measuring
We check the current steps, measure the full rise and run, and see how everything connects to your home. Afterward you receive an itemized estimate in writing, so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
- 2
Tear-out and forms
The first workday, we break out the old steps, compact the base and set the forms. When the city calls for a permit or inspection, we take care of it before any concrete arrives.
- 3
Steel and pour
Rebar and dowels go in, then we pour, shape the nosings and finish the treads. Most step jobs are poured in a single day.
- 4
Curing and cleanup
Once the concrete sets, the forms come off. Light, careful use is usually fine the next day, and before we leave we clean the area and look over the finished steps with you.
What Moves the Cost of Concrete Steps
Steps take more forming and hand finishing per square foot than flat concrete, so the price depends on shape more than size. We price each job after measuring and explain every line on the estimate.
- Number of risers and width
- A two-step stoop and a wide flight up a slope are very different jobs. More risers mean more forms, more steel and more concrete.
- What comes out first
- Removing old concrete or brick adds labor and hauling. Thick old steps with hidden steel take longer to break out.
- Landings and returns
- Wraparound sides, curved steps or a large landing at the door add forming time.
- Finish choice
- A broom finish is the simplest. Stamped or colored treads cost more, and we cover those options on our Stamped Concrete page.
Questions About Concrete Steps
Can you patch my existing steps instead of replacing them?
We build new steps rather than patching old ones. When we look at your steps, we will tell you plainly whether replacement is worth doing now or whether they can wait a while.
Do new steps need a permit?
It depends on the location, the height and whether the steps are part of a larger project. We check with the city and handle the permit and inspection when one is required.
How soon can we use the front door?
Careful foot traffic is usually fine by the next day. If the front steps are your only entry, we plan the pour so you still have a way in, often a temporary board path or a second door.
Will the new steps match my patio or walkway?
We can match a broom finish closely. New gray concrete starts out lighter than older concrete and darkens some with time, so we will set expectations when we talk.
Can you build steps as part of a bigger job?
Yes. Steps often go in with a new patio, walkway or concrete backyard, and pouring them together keeps the heights and finish consistent from one area to the next.
Ready for Steps You Do Not Have to Think About
Tell us where the steps go and what is there now. We will set up a visit to measure and walk you through the plan, and the same person stays with your job until the last form is gone.