What to Expect
Phase 1 – Site Preparation & Planning
What We Do
- Clear the area within 50 feet of the project site, including outdoor furniture, décor, lighting, and landscaping protection.
- If available, you will meet with our job site foreman to review the project before work starts.
- If you are not present, please inspect the layout and forms that evening.
- Remove any agreed-upon obstacles such as fencing, posts, or landscaping prior to our arrival.
- We will install a plywood equipment path and remove existing concrete, pavers, decking, or other materials as needed.
- Project forms are set and a 4" compacted base of limestone or recycled concrete is installed for strength and longevity.
- When piers are included, we drill below the frost line and set 6" pier sleeves.
- Any requested changes must be communicated by 9:00 PM the same day.
- 50% of the project total is due at the start of Day One.
What We Need You to Do
- Clear all items within a 50-foot radius of the work area, including furniture, planters, string lights, and yard décor.
- If you are home, our on-site foreman will review the project details with you before work begins.
- If you are not available, please inspect the forms once you return home that evening.
- Remove any fence sections, landscaping, or other obstructions previously discussed with your sales representative.
- Allow access for equipment using a plywood machine path; any concrete, decking, pavers, or materials scheduled for removal will be taken out by our crew.
- We will set the project forms and install a 4-inch compacted base of limestone or recycled crushed concrete.
- For projects including piers, drilling will extend below the frost line, and 6-inch pipe will be installed.
- Notify us of any needed adjustments by 9:00 PM the same day.
- A 50% deposit is required when our crew arrives to begin work on Day One.
Phase 2 – Concrete Installation
- Our crew arrives, unloads the plywood equipment path, and installs the rebar grid over the prepared base.
- When the concrete truck arrives, your selected integral color is added and mixed throughout the concrete.
- Concrete is transported to the project area using up to 100 feet of plywood path; in most cases, the truck remains on the street.
- We place approximately 5 inches of 5,000 PSI concrete for strength and durability.
- The slab is poured, screeded, bull-floated, and hand-finished before the release color is applied across the surface. (This process is messy and will be cleaned up the following day.)
- The concrete is then stamped using your chosen pattern.
- Fence posts removed for access will be reinstalled if included in the scope.
- Please keep all foot traffic and pets off the area for the entire day.
How Ohio Weather Impacts Decorative Concrete Installation
Weather conditions in the Dayton area play an important role in how decorative concrete projects are scheduled and completed. Seasonal temperature changes, rainfall patterns, and freeze thaw cycles all influence preparation, placement, and curing.
Our process accounts for these conditions by adjusting timing, base preparation, and sealing methods as needed. This helps ensure concrete cures properly and performs as expected through changing Ohio seasons.
By planning each phase around local weather and site conditions, we reduce the risk of surface issues and deliver results that hold up long term across the Miami Valley.
Phase 3 – Finishing & Protection
- Remove remaining release agent from the surface and clean surrounding areas.
- Saw-cut control joints to help reduce cracking as the concrete cures.
- Thoroughly scrub and clean the patio, and pressure wash any areas of your home impacted during installation.
- Allow the concrete to fully dry and prep for sealing.
- Apply a penetrating concrete sealer that protects the surface without leaving a slippery finish.
- Add fresh topsoil around the patio to level over-dug areas and promote grass regrowth.
- Pressure wash the driveway if it was used for equipment access.
- If included, fire pits, seating walls, or outdoor kitchens are constructed after the sealer has cured.
- The remaining project balance is due upon completion.
