Concrete · Repair & resurfacing
Concrete Driveway Repair and Resurfacing in Brentwood, CA
Is your driveway, patio or walkway cracked, stained, flaking or uneven? Here is what patching, resurfacing and replacement can each fix, with cited costs, so you know what to ask for.
How this site works: Brentwood Concrete & Pavers is an independent referral site. We don't pour concrete or install pavers. When you send a request, we pass it to an independent local contractor who measures, quotes and contracts with you directly. Use the checklists here with any contractor, including one we refer.
Start with what you see
Cracks, flaking, stains and uneven slabs have different causes and different fixes. A contractor should look at the slab before recommending anything. These are the common cases:
- Hairline cracks. Often cosmetic and often fixable with crack filling.
- Wide or growing cracks. Can point to movement or base problems, which an overlay will not cure.
- Flaking or scaling surface. A worn top layer, sometimes a candidate for resurfacing.
- Sunken or tilted slabs. Usually a base or drainage problem. Ask the contractor to explain the cause before agreeing to a fix.
- Stains and fading. Cleaning, sealing or a decorative overlay may help.
Patching and crack filling
HomeGuide lists crack filling at about $0.50 to $3 per linear foot and $100 to $400 or more for minor driveway repairs (HomeGuide resurfacing, HomeGuide driveway). Patches work best on small, stable damage. They rarely match the old color perfectly.
Resurfacing and overlays
A resurfacing overlay is a thin new layer bonded to the old slab. HomeGuide lists basic overlays at about $3 to $7 per square foot, decorative at $6 to $10 and stamped at $7 to $20 (HomeGuide). What an overlay can and cannot do:
- Can: refresh a sound but worn or stained surface and add a decorative finish
- Cannot: fix a slab that is moving, sunken or structurally failed. HomeGuide warns that large cracks in the old concrete will quickly transfer up through a new surface
When replacement is the honest answer
HomeGuide advises against resurfacing when cracks exceed 1/4 inch wide, and says to replace surfaces with large cracks, crumbling, spalling or structural problems, or when an overlay would need to be more than 2 inches thick (HomeGuide). If a contractor recommends replacement, ask what they found and what they would do about the cause. Our concrete driveways page explains what a replacement involves.
Repair, resurface or replace at a glance
| Option | National cost range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Crack filling | $0.50 to $3 per linear foot | Narrow, stable cracks |
| Basic overlay | $3 to $7 per sq ft | Sound slab, worn surface |
| Decorative or stamped overlay | $6 to $20 per sq ft | Sound slab, new look |
| Replacement | $6 to $10 per sq ft plus $2 to $6 removal | Wide cracks, crumbling, settling |
Ranges from HomeGuide resurfacing and HomeGuide driveway, national figures. Contractors set the final price.
Tree roots, cracks and settling
If roots or settling are suspected, ask the contractor to explain the cause and the options before you agree to any fix, and ask what the warranty does and does not cover. We do not describe specific lifting or leveling methods here, because the right approach depends on the cause.
Prepare for a repair quote
- Take photos of the damage and note where water drains
- Note how long the crack or problem has been there and whether it is changing
- Ask whether the quote covers cause, not just cosmetic repair
- Verify the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov
Sources
- HomeGuide — Concrete Resurfacing Cost (Feb 3, 2026)
- HomeGuide — Concrete Driveway Cost (Jun 3, 2025)
- HomeGuide — Cost of Pavers vs. Concrete (May 30, 2025)
Common questions
Can a cracked concrete driveway be repaired?
Often, yes. HomeGuide says to repair or resurface concrete with minor flaking or cracks under 1/4 inch wide, and to replace surfaces with large cracks, crumbling, spalling or structural problems.
How much does driveway resurfacing cost?
HomeGuide lists basic overlays at about $3 to $7 per square foot, decorative overlays at $6 to $10 and stamped overlays at $7 to $20, plus crack filling at $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. Local quotes vary.
How long does resurfacing last?
HomeGuide says concrete resurfacing lasts 8 to 15 years before needing repairs. A good surface bond and a sound slab underneath matter.
When should I replace instead of resurface?
When cracks are wider than 1/4 inch, the slab is crumbling or spalling, or an overlay would need to be more than 2 inches thick, HomeGuide says replacement is the better option.
Get a concrete or paver quote
Tell us about your project. We pass your request to an independent concrete or paver contractor serving East Contra Costa, who contacts you to measure and quote. There's no cost to send a request.
- Takes about a minute
- No obligation to hire
- Ask for a written, itemized quote