Planning a driveway, patio or pool deck raises a lot of questions: what it will cost, how long it takes, and whether it will survive a Pittsburgh winter. Here are straight answers to the ones we hear most, grouped by where you are in the process. Don’t see yours? Call us at (412) 892-9006 or add it to your instant quote request.
We install residential concrete across the Pittsburgh area: driveways, patios, steps and walkways, pool decks and retaining walls. We also do stamped concrete, sealing and epoxy garage floors, plus some commercial work.
It depends on what you value most. Stamped concrete usually costs less installed, and because it’s one continuous slab, there are no joints for weeds or ants and no individual pieces to sink or shift. Pavers are easier to patch, since you can lift and replace a single unit. Stamped concrete needs resealing every few years to keep its color; pavers need joint sand topped up and can heave if the base isn’t built for freeze-thaw. We’re happy to talk through which fits your yard.
Concrete costs more up front but typically lasts much longer, often 30 years or more with basic care, while asphalt needs sealcoating every few years and replacement sooner. Concrete also stays cooler in summer, holds its shape on steep driveways, and can be colored or stamped. Asphalt is the cheaper short-term option and is a little more forgiving of road salt.
Yes. Herrmann Construction is a registered Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor, number PA HIC 106098, which you can look up with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.
We’re based in Bridgeville and work throughout Allegheny and Butler counties, including Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Fox Chapel, Allison Park, Wexford and Cranberry Township. If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, just ask.
Most of our residential projects fall between $7,000 and $24,000, depending on size and finish. These are typical ranges from our pricing page:
Project | Typical size | Price range |
|---|---|---|
One-lane driveway | 10′ x 50′ | $9,000 – $10,900 |
Two-lane driveway | 20′ x 50′ | $19,000 – $20,900 |
Broom-finish patio | 12′ x 25′ | $7,000 – $9,000 |
Stamped patio | 20′ x 20′ | $10,000 – $11,900 |
Broom-finish pool deck | ~1,000 sq ft | $19,000 – $22,900 |
Stamped pool deck | ~1,000 sq ft | $22,000 – $24,000 |
Those prices include removing the old surface, excavation, a 4-inch limestone base, and a 4,000 psi slab reinforced with fiber and steel mesh (6 inches thick for driveways, 4 inches for patios and pool decks).
Size is the biggest factor, followed by finish. Stamped and exposed aggregate cost more than a broom finish. Steep or hard-to-reach sites, extra grading, poor soil, and drainage work also add labor. A walk-through is the only way to know for sure.
Yes. For a quick ballpark, use our instant quote tool. For an exact price, we’ll visit, measure, look at slope and access, talk through finishes, and give you a written quote with no obligation.
Yes, financing is available so you can spread the cost over time. See the financing page for details.
We offer four main finishes. Broom finish is the most economical and gives the best traction, which matters on Pittsburgh hills. Swirl finish adds a subtle pattern. Exposed aggregate shows the stone in the mix for a textured, natural look. Stamped concrete imitates stone, slate, brick or wood. Compare them on our finishing options page.
Yes. Stamped projects get a base color plus an antique release color that adds depth and highlights the texture. Browse our stamp patterns and color charts, and we’ll bring samples to your estimate.
We can tie new work cleanly into existing porches, garages and walks, but an exact color match with older concrete isn’t realistic, since concrete weathers over time. Often the best-looking solution is a deliberate border or contrasting finish, so the new section looks designed rather than patched.
Yes, if it’s built for them. Freeze-thaw damage starts when water gets into the surface and expands. We pour 4,000 psi concrete over a compacted limestone base that drains well, reinforce it with fiber and steel, and recommend sealing. Avoid rock salt and ammonium-based de-icers, especially the first winter; sand or a concrete-safe de-icer is much kinder to the surface.
Honestly, most concrete develops some hairline cracks as it shrinks and as the ground moves. What matters is controlling them. We cut control joints so cracks form in straight lines where you won’t notice them, and reinforcement keeps them tight. Wide, uneven or heaving cracks usually point to a poor base, which is why we don’t skimp on prep.
Yes; steep driveways are common here, and concrete handles them better than asphalt. We use a broom finish for traction and set the slope and drainage so water doesn’t sheet into your garage.
We grade every slab to shed water away from your house. On sloped lots, a retaining wall can create level space for a patio and control runoff. If you already have water pooling, mention it during the estimate.
Driveways are 6 inches thick; patios, walkways and pool decks are 4 inches. Both sit on a 4-inch compacted limestone base with fiber and steel reinforcement.
Our pouring season generally runs from spring through late fall, whenever the ground isn’t frozen and nights stay above freezing. Spring and early summer book up first, so reaching out in late winter gets you the most flexibility.
Most residential projects take about three days on site: tear-out and grading, then forms and base, then the pour and finish. Larger or stamped projects can take a little longer. Plan on extra days of curing before you drive on it (see below).
We won’t pour if heavy rain or freezing temperatures are expected, because both weaken the surface. If weather moves your pour date, we’ll reschedule as soon as conditions allow and keep you posted.
It depends on your municipality. Driveway aprons that meet the street and taller retaining walls often need one.
Move vehicles and anything stored on or near the work area, and let us know about sprinkler lines, invisible pet fences or landscape lighting. The concrete truck needs a clear path.
You can usually walk on it after 24 to 48 hours and drive a car on it after about 7 days. Concrete keeps gaining strength for roughly 28 days, so keep heavy trucks, dumpsters and RVs off it until then.
Keep heavy weight off, don’t let anything sit on it that could stain, and skip pressure washing. Our crew walks you through curing on site, and our blog has more tips.
Every two to three years for most surfaces, and stamped concrete especially, since sealer protects the color and blocks water and salt. Our concrete sealing services cover both new and existing concrete.
Yes, every project comes with a three-year warranty.
Still have a question? Call (412) 892-9006, Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or start an instant quote and add your questions there. You can also see finished projects in our gallery or read what neighbors say in our reviews.
