Repair makes sense when the slab underneath is sound; replacement makes sense when the base has failed. Resurfacing a worn but stable surface typically costs $3–$7 per square foot, lifting a sunken slab $3–$12 per square foot depending on the method, and fixing a structural crack about $250–$800 per crack, based on HomeGuide’s 2026 national figures. Most repairs take a day or less.
Get a free quote. Your request goes to a licensed local contractor who will contact you about a free quote, usually within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk? Call (864) 432-1750.
What concrete repair costs
| Repair | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Resurfacing (basic overlay) | $3–$7 per sq ft | Worn, flaking or stained surfaces on a sound slab |
| Two-car driveway resurfacing | $1,200–$2,900 | Same, on a 20×20 to 24×24 ft driveway |
| Mudjacking | $4–$9 per sq ft | Sunken driveways, walks and patios |
| Polyurethane foam lifting | $8–$25 per sq ft | Sunken slabs where small holes and fast reopening matter |
| Stone slurry grout lifting | $6–$15 per sq ft | Driveways and garage floors needing more support |
| Extensive crack repair | $250–$800+ per crack | Structural cracks |
| Joint re-caulking | $275–$1,000 | Open or failed joints letting water in |
Many leveling contractors charge a minimum of $300–$700. Driveway repairs overall run about $300–$3,000, depending on the damage.
Cracks: cosmetic or structural?
Hairline cracks, especially along or near control joints, are usually cosmetic. Concrete shrinks as it cures, and joints exist so it cracks in planned places. Seal them to keep water out.
Cracks to take seriously are ones that are wider than a pencil, that keep widening, or where one side sits higher than the other. Those usually mean the ground underneath has moved. Filling the crack alone won’t stop it; the base problem needs fixing first.
Resurfacing and overlays
Resurfacing removes the top layer, repairs minor cracks and flaking, and bonds a thin new layer over the old slab. HomeGuide puts its lifespan at 8 to 15 years before repairs are needed.
| Overlay type | Thickness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-topping / skim coat | 1/32 to 3/16 inch | Smooth refresh, color change |
| Spray knockdown | about 1/8 inch | Textured, slip-resistant walks and pool decks |
| Stampable overlay | 1/4 to 3/4 inch | Stone, brick or tile patterns |
| Self-leveling | 1/4 to 2 inches | Interior floors |
The catch: resurfacing won’t fix concrete with major cracks or crumbling. An overlay bonds to the slab beneath and moves with it.
Sunken slabs: lifting vs. replacing
Slabs sink when voids open up underneath, usually from soil erosion, poor compaction or water. On Upstate red clay, a downspout emptying beside a walk is a common culprit.
- Mudjacking pumps a cement-based slurry under the slab through 1- to 2-inch holes. It’s the cheapest lift, but the slurry is heavy and the patched holes are visible.
- Polyurethane foam (polyjacking) goes in through holes about 5/8 inch wide, cures in about 15 minutes, weighs little and won’t wash out. It costs the most.
- Stone slurry grout uses crushed limestone and grout through 1-inch holes, giving more support than mudjacking at less than foam.
Fix the water first. Lifting a slab without redirecting the downspout or regrading the soil that washed out just resets the clock.
Spalling and surface flaking
Spalling and scaling, where the top layer flakes off, is a surface problem when the slab underneath is solid. Resurfacing repairs it. If flaking keeps spreading after resurfacing, or the concrete crumbles when you scrape it, the slab is near the end of its life.
Steps and stoops
Concrete step repair typically costs $300–$800 for patching cracks or small sections. Resurfacing is better for large areas of cracking or flaking. A step that has pulled away from the house or sunk unevenly is a trip hazard; lifting or rebuilding it is usually better than patching.
When repair is a waste of money
- The slab is cracked into many pieces, with sections moving independently.
- Cracks keep reopening after being filled.
- The concrete crumbles or the surface is breaking up across most of the area.
- The slab is past 30–40 years and showing several of the above.
At that point a new slab, poured on a properly compacted base, is the better spend. Our repair or replace guide walks through the decision for driveways, and our concrete driveway page covers replacements.
How it works with us
- Tell us about the job. Fill in the short form with the service, your ZIP code and a rough size. Photos help.
- A local contractor calls you. We pass your request to a licensed contractor in our network who works in your area, usually within 24 hours.
- Get a free quote and decide. The contractor looks at the job and gives you a written quote. There is no cost and no obligation.
Concrete Pros Greenville SC is a free referral service. Work is performed by independent licensed contractors in our network.
Concrete repair questions
Can cracked concrete be fixed?
Usually, if the slab is otherwise sound. Hairline cracks can be sealed; wider structural cracks can be repaired for about $250–$800 each. If the base has failed and sections are moving, repairs won’t last and replacement is better.
How long does concrete resurfacing last?
About 8 to 15 years before it needs repairs, according to HomeGuide, provided it was applied to a sound, well-prepared slab.
Is mudjacking worth it?
Often, for a sunken walk, patio or driveway section that is otherwise in good shape. It costs about $4–$9 per square foot, far less than replacement. Fix the drainage that caused the sinking first, or it may settle again.
Is foam lifting better than mudjacking?
It uses smaller holes, cures in about 15 minutes, weighs less and won’t wash out, but it costs more: about $8–$25 per square foot versus $4–$9 for mudjacking.
Related services and guides
- Repair or replace a concrete driveway?
- Concrete driveways
- Sidewalks, walkways and steps
- How to compare concrete quotes
Get a free quote from a local contractor
Tell us about the job once. A licensed contractor who works in your part of the Upstate will call you about a free, no-obligation quote, usually within 24 hours.
Request a free quote or call (864) 432-1750.
Sources
- HomeGuide: concrete leveling cost (2026) — lifting methods, costs, causes of settling, crack repair.
- HomeGuide: concrete resurfacing cost (2026) — resurfacing costs, overlay types, lifespan, limits.
- HomeGuide: asphalt vs. concrete driveway cost (2026) — driveway repair cost.
- HomeGuide: concrete steps cost (2026) — step repair.
- HomeGuide: concrete driveway cost (2026) — driveway lifespan.
Prices are national 2026 ranges unless labelled local. How we research costs.
Last reviewed: October 2026