Concrete Contractor in Santa Cruz County
Freedom Earthworks LLC builds concrete driveways, flatwork, slabs, pads, patios and foundations for homes, businesses and public-works projects throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara counties. We do the grading, forming, base prep and reinforcement ourselves, so your concrete is built on a solid foundation and finished to last. Licensed A General Engineering and C-12 contractor, CSLB #1105929.
Our Concrete Services
Concrete driveways and approaches
Flatwork, walkways and patios
Slabs, pads and equipment pads
Foundations and footings
Retaining wall footings
Drainage structures and inlet pads
Concrete removal and replacement
Grading and base preparation
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Who it is for
- Homeowners replacing a cracked or settled concrete driveway, or converting from asphalt or gravel
- Properties that need concrete pads for garages, sheds, equipment or parking
- Commercial sites and agencies needing curb, gutter, sidewalk and ADA-compliant work
What we do
- Concrete driveways and driveway approaches
- Slabs, pads and foundations
- Curbs, gutters and sidewalks
- ADA walkways, approaches and truncated dome warning panels
- Walkways, patios and steps
- Decorative and stamped concrete
- Removal of old concrete and base preparation
How we build it
- Remove failed concrete and excavate to the planned depth.
- Grade and compact the subgrade, then place and compact aggregate base.
- Set forms to the finished grades and slopes so water runs off the surface.
- Place reinforcement as specified for the job.
- Pour, finish and cut or tool control joints to direct where shrinkage cracks form.
- Cure and protect the surface, then strip forms and backfill edges.
Concrete or asphalt for a driveway?
Concrete usually costs more up front and lasts a long time with little maintenance. Asphalt costs less to install, is easier to repair in sections and handles minor settlement better. Steep driveways, heavy trucks, shade and the look you want all affect the choice. We do both and will explain the trade-off for your site. See asphalt paving.
Repair or replace?
Hairline shrinkage cracks are normal and are not structural. Replacement makes sense when slabs have sunk, heaved or broken into pieces, or when water is undermining the base. Isolated failed panels can sometimes be removed and replaced on their own.
What affects cost and schedule
- Size, thickness and reinforcement
- Removal and hauling of old concrete
- Grading, base and drainage needed
- Finish and decorative work
- Access for the concrete truck or pump
- Weather on pour day
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I use a new concrete driveway?
Foot traffic is usually fine after a day or so. Vehicles commonly wait about a week, and heavy trucks wait longer. Mix, temperature and thickness all change this, and we will give you dates for your job.
Will my concrete crack?
Concrete shrinks as it cures. Control joints are cut so that cracking happens in straight lines at the joints rather than randomly.
Do you handle the permit for a driveway approach?
Work in a public right-of-way usually needs an encroachment permit. We will tell you what is required.
Do you do stamped or decorative concrete?
Yes. Tell us the look you want and we will go over the options during the site visit.
Recent work
- ADA Walkways and Approaches, Santa Cruz – 4-inch ADA walkways and approaches over 6 inches of base rock, 6-inch concrete at the parking stall, a concrete curb and truncated dome warning panels on a public works project.
- Hillside Driveway Rebuild, Aptos – a cast-in-place concrete retaining wall and full-length concrete curbs to control runoff and hold back the hillside.
Related: Retaining walls · Grading · Drainage · Concrete calculator · Santa Cruz County
Request a concrete estimate or call (831) 440-6042. Our team at Freedom Earthworks will personally review your request and contact you to discuss your project.