[jeffman123]

Can I hire a concrete contractor or just DIY?

I am going to repair our concrete sidewalks because of some small cracks.

 

[huesmann]

Depends how much concrete you need to mix!

 

[3onthetree]

If you are in a typically-regulated city, you probably won't find a contractor who will touch the sidewalks. They don't want to get in trouble with the city. Depending on what the repair entails, it may or may not be worth it for you to DIY.

 

[Oso954]

You advice may be correct in IL. But there are many places in this country where it’s dead wrong.

The home owner is often responsible for it. Needs to keep it free of debris or snow and ice. Can be sued if he does not and someone slips and falls.

If in disrepair, it the homeowners responsibility to get it done and pay for it.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

Quit wasting your time. The dam walk in question may be from the front door to the garage apron.:vs_laugh:

 

[3onthetree]

Quit wasting your time. The dam walk in question may be from the front door to the garage apron.:vs_laugh:

You're right!!! I don't know why I interpreted that as sidewalks in the parkway! I guess because asking about a contractor.

 

[huesmann]

You advice may be correct in IL. But there are many places in this country where it’s dead wrong.

The home owner is often responsible for it. Needs to keep it free of debris or snow and ice. Can be sued if he does not and someone slips and falls.

If in disrepair, it the homeowners responsibility to get it done and pay for it.

The answer is, "it depends." Almost all public sidewalks are in public right of way. They may be in front of your house, in which case you are required to keep them free of snow and debris. However, you are not responsible for repair. If the sidewalk is on private property, typically the municipality has no say so.

 

[bob22]

The answer is, "it depends." Almost all public sidewalks are in public right of way. They may be in front of your house, in which case you are required to keep them free of snow and debris. However, you are not responsible for repair. If the sidewalk is on private property, typically the municipality has no say so.

Not true near here.Son’s town marks sidewalk, curb, and drive apron. They mark issues and if you don’t fix it they get there own contractor to do it and bill you.
And, their tax rate is highest around.

 

[stadry]

so, after all the responses, hues' post is correct - ' it depends ! '
before beginning any crack repairs, 1st determine IF the ' crack ' is a dynamic joint OR static crack,,, different repair methods & materials apply

 

[stadry]

at home in upstate ny, city solicited prices for sidewalk repairs,,, individual property owners were allowed to hire those bidders at bid price OR any other contractor of their choice,,, prior to placing new conc, inspections were rqd however rarely did inspectors look at experienced work if the company had existing relationship w/city
in my nj twnshp, owners were rqd to solicit their own bids & have s/w repaired to new standard w/permits & inspections IF their s/w got gigged

 

[Yodaman]

Start with your local code office and see who is responsible for repairs. Show us some pics of the cracked areas and you will get some advice on what the project entails.


In my town, the home owner is responsible, but must follow their guides just like any other building project.

 

[3onthetree]

Sorry to have possibly derailed your thread, Jeff, or maybe I haven't. If you ever return to clarify.

 

[jeffman123]

Hahah.

Thanks everyone for suggestion and advice, really appreciate..

 

[PatentPending]

The home owner is often responsible for it. Needs to keep it free of debris or snow and ice. Can be sued if he does not and someone slips and falls.

If I'm remembering my bar exam study correctly, that's not necessarily the case. Unless you're explicitly required by statute to shovel the snow, you're better off liability-wise if somebody slips and falls on an un-shoveled walk than if they do on a shoveled walk, the reasoning being that a slippery shoveled walk is a condition YOU created, instead of the "natural" state. Lawyers, go figure.

...I just shovel my walk anyway because it's the decent thing to do. Not sure if it's required.