Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer
Good concrete prep means removing topsoil, compacting a gravel base, setting forms with slope, placing steel at the right height, using air-entrained concrete, cutting joints on time and curing properly. A written warranty should state what workmanship is covered, for how long and what is excluded, such as hairline shrinkage cracks, misuse and de-icer damage. Call (435) 915-7985 to talk through your scope.
Why prep and paperwork matter
Homeowners and property managers hiring a concrete contractor in Logan and Cache County need more than a pour date. Freeze-thaw winters, silty soils and irrigation water punish weak prep and thin aftercare. A warranty is only as strong as the work beneath the slab. This page explains what a professional flatwork process looks like and what to expect from a written workmanship warranty, so you can compare bids on substance.
Prep: what happens before concrete arrives
- Scope check: confirm use, load, drainage, access and utilities.
- Excavation: remove topsoil, organic material and soft spots to a planned depth.
- Base: place crushed gravel in lifts and compact each lift, typically 4 to 6 inches or more depending on soil and load.
- Forms: set to line and grade with slope away from structures, and braced to stay put during the pour.
- Reinforcement: rebar or mesh on supports, not dragged into the wet concrete.
- Joint plan: layout marked so cracks have somewhere to go.
Pour, finish and cure
The mix should be air-entrained for exterior work in Cache Valley, and water should not be added at the truck to make placement easier, because extra water weakens the surface. Finishing should wait for bleed water to disappear; troweling it in leads to scaling. Joints are cut within the first hours to day depending on the method, and curing starts immediately: moisture retention, protection from wind and heat, and temperature control. See the cold-weather guide for cool-season practice.
What a workmanship warranty should say
- Who is covered: owner and any transfer on sale.
- Duration: in plain language, such as one year or longer.
- What is covered: defects in workmanship, such as substandard finishing, wrong slope, or broken-out edges in the scope.
- What is excluded: normal hairline shrinkage cracks, damage by overloading, chemicals, de-icers, plow gouges and drainage problems created after the work.
- What the contractor will do: repair, replace or refund, and within what time frame.
- How to make a claim: who to call and what documentation to provide.
Be wary of 'lifetime' or 'no-crack' promises. No outdoor concrete can honestly guarantee it will never crack. Instead look for a contractor who explains where cracks may occur and how joints control them. We put warranty terms in writing in the proposal, and we explain them before the pour.
Homeowner care that protects the slab
- Keep soil and mulch from piling against edges.
- Direct downspouts and sprinklers away from slabs.
- Avoid de-icers in the first winter; use sand.
- Seal decorative surfaces on schedule.
- Keep heavy trailers and equipment off thin patio sections.
- Photograph cracks with a coin for scale and date them.
Questions to ask every bidder
- What base depth and thickness are included?
- What steel is used and how will it be supported?
- What mix and air content?
- How will joints be laid out?
- Who removes and hauls old concrete?
- What is the cure plan?
- What does the warranty cover and exclude?
- What is the timeline and return-to-service date?
For budgeting see the cost guide, and for the sequence of the job read how a concrete project works. We serve Logan, Smithfield, Hyrum and the surrounding towns.
Why base depth gets so much attention
If you only remember one thing from this page, make it the base. Compacted gravel does three jobs: it distributes load, it lets water drain from under the slab, and it breaks the capillary path that draws moisture up from fine soils. In a freeze-thaw climate those jobs decide whether a slab stays level or becomes a puzzle of lifted panels. A thin base is invisible on pour day, so ask for the depth in writing and check that forms and grade match the plan.
Documenting the job
Keep a folder with the proposal, change orders, delivery tickets, photos of the base and forms, and the warranty. If a problem appears, photographs and dates make the conversation with your contractor productive. We encourage owners to take photos before and after the pour; it is good practice with any contractor.
Frequently asked questions
Does concrete come with a warranty?
Terms vary by contractor. Ask for workmanship coverage in writing, including duration, exclusions and the claim process.
Is a hairline crack covered?
Hairline shrinkage cracks are common and are usually excluded from warranties, provided the slab is sound. Joints are placed to guide cracks.
How much base do I need?
It depends on soil and load. Four to six inches of compacted crushed gravel is common for residential flatwork, with more for soft soils or heavy loads.
Can I seal new concrete right away?
Wait until the slab has cured as directed. Sealing too early can trap moisture.