Concrete leveling: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering concrete leveling

Leveling lets you save a slab that customers thought they had to replace, which makes it a strong service for homeowners and property managers. Win the job by finding the cause of the sinking and being clear about what the lift will and will not fix.

What customers ask

  • Can you lift the slab, or does it need to be replaced?
  • Which material is better, foam or grout?
  • Will the slab sink again?
  • How will the holes look after you patch them?
  • How soon can I drive on it after the lift?
  • Will you fix the water that caused it?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask when the sinking started, where water runs during a storm, and whether the slab cracks or rocks, since each points to a different cause.
  • On site, check the drainage, mark the low points and look for the cracks and joints that will limit the lift, then explain the plan.
  • In the quote, separate the leveling from any drainage repair, so the customer sees both the fix and the cause.
  • Explain why you chose foam or grout for that soil and slab, and show photos of a similar lift you have done.
  • Monitor the lift and tell the customer what you are watching for, such as joint alignment and the surface being flat.
  • Put the warranty terms in writing, with what it covers and what it does not, including new settling from a water problem.

What to put on your profile

  • Before and after photos of lifted slabs, with a level or string line shown across the joint
  • Materials you use, such as polyurethane foam and cementitious grout, with the situations each suits
  • Surfaces you lift, such as driveways, walks, pool decks and garage floors
  • Your service area and whether you also handle drainage and grading work

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a check of the lifted areas after the first season, to confirm the lift is holding
  • Suggest a drainage check or gutter extension where water is running near the slab
  • Mention sealing the patched holes and the surface once the lift has cured, as routine care

Licenses and permits

Slab leveling is commonly done under a contractor license in many areas, and many places do not ask for a permit for leveling alone, but structural or drainage changes can. Confirm what applies where you work with your state or local licensing agency and local building department, and keep your insurance current.

Questions

What do I do when the slab keeps settling in the same spot?

Stop assuming the lift is the fix and check the water and the soil again, because the cause is still there. Tell the customer what you find and put any additional work in writing.

Should I give a lifetime warranty on leveling?

Be careful with open-ended wording, and write the warranty around the material, the workmanship and the cause you corrected. State what happens if the soil or drainage changes after the job.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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