FAQ
Boise Concrete Questions, Answered
Boise Solid Concrete collects the questions Treasure Valley homeowners ask most about cost, permits, ground, winter and hiring.
Cost
What does a concrete driveway cost per square foot?
National cost guides put a plain broom-finish driveway at about $6 to $12 per square foot installed and stamped concrete at about $12 to $25. Boise numbers come from local quotes. See the Boise concrete cost guide.
What does it cost to pour a slab or pad?
About $4 to $12 per square foot nationally, depending on thickness, reinforcement, base prep and access. A shop slab with thickened edges sits toward the top. See concrete slab cost.
What does tearing out old concrete add?
Removal typically runs about $2 to $6 per square foot nationally, more for thick or rebar-reinforced slabs, and it is quoted on top of the new pour.
Is concrete cheaper in winter?
No source we checked publishes seasonal pricing for the Boise area. Cold-weather pours can need blankets or heated enclosures, which add cost rather than remove it.
Permits
Do I need a building permit for a driveway or sidewalk in Boise?
Not if it is not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over a basement and not part of an accessible route. Boise's homeowner guide adds that driveways need Planning and Zoning approval.
Does a patio need a permit in Boise?
Boise's homeowner guide requires a building permit when a concrete patio is more than 12 inches above grade. A patio at ground level generally does not, but confirm with the city at 208-608-7070.
Who approves a new curb cut or driveway approach?
In Ada County, the Ada County Highway District. Approaches go through an ACHD Driveway Approach Request and a right-of-way permit, and the permit holder must be licensed and bonded for right-of-way work. In Canyon County it is the city or the highway district that owns the road.
When does a retaining wall need a permit?
In Boise, at 4 feet or more from the bottom of the footing to the top, or at 2 feet when the wall holds back a slope or surcharge. Those walls need engineering. See retaining walls.
Ground and Weather
What is caliche and why does it matter?
Caliche is a lime-cemented hardpan that forms in dry climates. It has been documented on the Boise and Snake river terraces. It can slow digging for footings and block drainage under a slab.
How deep do footings go in Boise?
Boise's code sets frost protection at 24 inches below finished grade for foundations that require it.
Can I use ice melt on new concrete?
Industry guidance is no deicers of any kind during the first winter. Use sand for traction. After that, a penetrating sealer helps concrete stand up to salt and freeze-thaw cycles. See concrete sealing.
How far apart should control joints be?
A common rule is 24 to 36 times the slab thickness in inches: about 8 to 12 feet on a 4-inch slab, cut at least a quarter of the depth.
Hiring a Contractor
Who actually does the work?
An independent concrete contractor. Boise Solid Concrete is a referral service: it passes your request along, and the contractor contracts with you directly and is responsible for the work, permits, insurance, pricing and warranty.
How do I check a contractor in Idaho?
Idaho requires contractors to register with the Idaho Contractors Board (part of DOPL) for construction jobs over $2,000. Ask for the registration number and look it up at dopl.idaho.gov. Registered contractors file proof of liability insurance and workers' comp or an exemption.
What paperwork should I get before signing?
On a residential job over $2,000, Idaho Code 45-525 requires the general contractor to give you a disclosure covering lien waivers, proof of insurance, extended title insurance and the option of a surety bond. Get scope, thickness, mix, joints, finish and cleanup in writing too.
Free request
Get quotes from local concrete contractors
Tell us the city, the job and a rough size. Boise Solid Concrete passes the request to independent concrete contractors who work in that part of the Treasure Valley. They reach out to look at the site and quote in writing. Any agreement is between you and the contractor you pick.
- 1Send one requestCity, job and size. Photos help.
- 2A contractor follows upThey call or email to see the site and write a quote.
- 3You chooseHire, compare or walk away. You deal with the contractor directly.