Small crack repairs cost $100 to $400 by national published figures, and bigger repairs or resurfacing $600 to $3,000. Whether a repair is worth doing depends on why the concrete failed. In Oakland the usual causes are clay that moves with the seasons, tree roots, soft fill near the bay and slabs poured too thin many decades ago.
Every price range on this page is a national figure published by HomeGuide for 2026. None of them is a quote from us. Bay Area labor, ready-mix prices, access and the condition of your lot move the real number. Last checked October 2026.
How much does concrete repair cost?
| Repair | National range |
|---|---|
| Crack repair | $0.50 to $3 per linear foot |
| Fixing driveway cracks | $100 to $400 |
| Major repair or resurfacing | $600 to $3,000 |
| Patching | $3 to $8 per sq ft |
| Resurfacing | $3 to $7 per sq ft |
| Leveling | $3 to $12 per sq ft |
Can cracked concrete be repaired or does it have to be replaced?
Most cracked concrete can be repaired if the pieces are still level and solid. A narrow crack is cleaned out and filled with a flexible sealant so water stays out of the soil below. Replacement is the better answer when the slab is in many pieces, one side sits higher than the other, the surface rocks when you step on it, or the crack keeps getting wider.
Why is my concrete driveway cracking?
In Oakland the most common reason is the ground. Clay swells in the wet months and shrinks in the dry ones, and a slab with too few joints or no base breaks as the soil moves. Other causes are tree roots, a thin slab, heavy trucks, water running under an edge, and on hill streets the slow downhill creep of the soil. Shrinkage cracks from the first weeks after pouring are normal and usually stay thin.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace?
Repair costs less today. Whether it is cheaper over ten years depends on the cause. By the national figures, leveling is $3 to $12 per square foot and resurfacing $3 to $7, while removal plus a new plain driveway comes to roughly $9 to $18. If the base has failed or roots are still lifting the slab, a repair buys a short time and the money is spent twice.
Why is my concrete sinking and can it be leveled?
Concrete sinks when the soil under it settles, washes out or shrinks. Around Oakland that often means fill that was never compacted, a leaking drain or downspout, or old utility trenches. On hillside lots the downhill edge of a pad built on fill is the usual place. A sunk slab that is still in one piece can often be leveled by pumping material under it. The water source has to be fixed too, or it will go down again.
How much does concrete leveling cost?
Concrete leveling costs $3 to $12 per square foot nationally, with a typical job at $700 to $5,000 and a minimum job fee of $300 to $700. Mudjacking is $4 to $9 per square foot. Foam lifting, also called polyjacking, is $8 to $25 per square foot.
Mudjacking or foam: which is better?
Neither is better everywhere. Mudjacking pumps a cement and soil slurry through larger holes. It costs less and fills big voids, but it is heavy, and extra weight is unwelcome on soft bay fill. Foam goes in through small holes, weighs very little, sets in minutes and resists water. For most home slabs here we would point to foam where the budget allows, and to mudjacking for a large void on firm ground.
Is foam lifting a permanent fix or will the slab drop again?
Foam is a long-lasting material, but it is not a permanent fix for moving ground. The foam itself does not rot or wash away. If the soil below keeps settling, shrinking or sliding, the slab can drop again with the foam still attached to it. On stable ground with the water problem solved, a lift can last many years. Ask any leveling company what its written warranty covers.
Can concrete be resurfaced instead of replaced? How long will a resurfaced old patio last?
Yes, when the slab under it is sound. Resurfacing puts a thin bonded layer over worn, stained or lightly flaking concrete. An old patio with hairline cracks and a tired surface is a fair candidate. Cracks that move will come back through the new layer. A well-prepared resurfacing job can last for years, but we will not promise a figure, because it depends on the slab, the product and how wet the area stays. Nationally it costs $3 to $7 per square foot, or $6 to $20 for a decorative overlay.
Why is my concrete spalling or flaking? Can a flaking surface be repaired without replacing the slab?
In cold states flaking comes from frost and road salt. Oakland has very little of either, so here it usually points to the pour itself: too much water in the mix, finishing while water was still on the surface, rain on the fresh slab, or poor curing. Near the shoreline, salt in the air can also rust steel that sits too close to the surface and pop the concrete above it. A flaking surface can be repaired by grinding to sound material and resurfacing, provided the weak layer is shallow.
Why is my driveway lifting or heaving?
Lifting or heaving in Oakland is nearly always roots or clay, not frost. Street trees and yard trees push panels up from one edge. Expansive clay lifts a slab when it takes on water, often along the side where a downspout or sprinkler soaks the soil. Find which it is before choosing a fix, because the two are handled differently.
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
It is possible but seldom wise for a driveway or walk. Pouring over old concrete raises the height, which causes trouble at garage doors, steps and gates. Every crack and joint in the old slab will show up in the new one. It only makes sense when the old slab is solid, stable and low enough to take the extra thickness.
Can a wide crack be patched, or will the patch pop out?
You can patch a wide crack, but a hard patch in a crack that still moves will pop out within a season or two. The crack opens and closes as the clay swells and shrinks, and rigid filler cannot follow. A flexible sealant over a backer rod lasts longer. If the crack is wide because the slab has dropped or split apart, cutting out and repouring that section is the durable repair.
How do I fix a sunken walkway that is a trip hazard? Can a raised edge just be ground down?
A trip hazard can be dealt with in three ways: grind the high edge, lift the low panel, or replace the panel. A raised edge of up to an inch or so can often be ground down to a smooth ramp, and that is the quickest and cheapest option. Grinding does thin the slab and exposes the stone, and it does nothing about the cause. Lifting suits a sunk panel in one piece. Replacement is right for a broken one.
The only real price for your job comes from a free visit, a tape measure and a written quote. Call (510) 694-1913 or text us a photo of the area.