Nationally, fixing cracks costs $100 to $400 and larger repairs cost $600 to $3,000. Most damaged concrete we see in Atlanta was hurt by water moving under it or roots growing under it. A repair only lasts if that cause is dealt with too.
The price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not quotes from us. In Atlanta the slope of the lot, the red clay under the slab, truck access and local labor and material prices all move the number. Last checked October 2026.
How much does concrete repair cost?
Crack repair on a driveway costs $100 to $400 nationally, or $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. Patching is $3 to $8 per square foot. Major repairs or resurfacing run $600 to $3,000.
| Repair | National cost |
|---|---|
| Crack repair | $0.50 to $3 per linear foot |
| Patching | $3 to $8 per sq ft |
| Resurfacing | $3 to $7 per sq ft |
| Leveling | $3 to $12 per sq ft |
| Mudjacking | $4 to $9 per sq ft |
| Foam lifting | $8 to $25 per sq ft |
Can cracked concrete be repaired or does it have to be replaced?
It can be repaired when the slab on both sides of the crack is still at the same height and does not move. That kind of crack is cleaned and sealed so rain cannot get under the slab. Replace the section when one side has dropped, the pieces shift under a car, or the slab has broken into many parts. At that point the base has failed and a sealer will not help.
Why is my concrete driveway cracking?
Water is the usual reason in Atlanta. Heavy rain runs down a sloped driveway, gets through the joints and edges, and carries clay out from under the slab. The concrete is then bridging a gap and cracks under a car. Roots from large oaks and pines are the second cause. Thin slabs, no steel, and joints that are too far apart are behind most of the rest.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace?
It is cheaper to repair on the day, and often cheaper over time if the slab is still well supported. National repair figures are $3 to $8 per square foot for patching and $3 to $12 for leveling, against $6 to $15 for a new driveway plus $3 to $8 for removal. Replacement wins once repairs would cover a large share of the slab or the base is gone.
Why is my concrete sinking, and can it be leveled?
Concrete sinks when the ground under it packs down or washes away. Common spots here are next to the garage and the house, where the builder backfilled with loose clay, and at the low end of a driveway, where runoff has undercut it. A slab that is still in one or two solid pieces can usually be raised. A slab that has crumbled cannot.
How much does concrete leveling cost?
Leveling costs $3 to $12 per square foot nationally, and a typical job is $700 to $5,000. Most companies have a minimum job fee of $300 to $700. Mudjacking is $4 to $9 per square foot and foam is $8 to $25.
Mudjacking or foam: which is better?
Neither is better everywhere. Mudjacking pumps a cement and soil slurry through holes about the size of a golf ball. It costs less and suits large, low-value areas. Foam goes in through smaller holes, weighs very little and sets in minutes, so it adds almost no load to soft ground and suits slabs close to the house. On a slope where water has been running under the slab, either one needs the water fixed first.
Is foam lifting a permanent fix, or will the slab drop again?
It is a permanent fix only when the reason for the settling has stopped. The foam does not break down in the ground. But if a downspout still empties beside the slab, or storm water still cuts under the edge, the soil will keep leaving and the slab will follow. Ask the lifting company what they think caused the drop and what they will do about it.
Can concrete be resurfaced instead of replaced, and how long will it last?
Yes, if the slab is solid and only the top is worn. Resurfacing bonds a thin new layer to the old concrete and costs $3 to $7 per square foot nationally, or $6 to $20 for a decorative or stamped overlay. On an old patio with fine cracks and some flaking, a resurfacing job gives you a fresh face, but it will only last as long as the slab under it holds still. Cracks that move will come back through the new layer. We cannot promise a number of years, because it depends on the slab, the prep and the drainage.
Why is my concrete spalling or flaking, and can a flaking surface be repaired?
The top is coming off because it was weak from the start or because water has been freezing in it. Too much water worked into the surface during finishing is a frequent cause. Atlanta does not have long winters, but it has plenty of nights that dip below freezing after a wet day, and deicer makes the damage worse. Light flaking can be repaired by grinding to sound concrete and applying a bonded overlay. Deep, widespread scaling means that section should be replaced.
Why is my driveway lifting or heaving?
In Atlanta it is nearly always roots. Frost heave is not a real factor here, because the ground does not freeze deep. A root under a slab thickens a little each year and pushes one panel up along a joint. Less often, a slab on a hill slides slightly and rides up over the one below it.
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
You can, but it is seldom the right call for a driveway. A new slab laid over old concrete inherits every crack and every bit of movement below it. It also raises the surface several inches, which causes trouble at the garage door, the steps and the street. Pouring over old concrete works only when the old slab is sound and stable and there is height to spare.
Can I patch a wide crack, or will the patch pop out?
A patch in a wide crack will pop out if the two sides still move. Rigid filler in a moving crack breaks loose in a season or two. A flexible sealant made for concrete joints holds better and keeps water out, though you will still see the line. If the crack keeps getting wider, something under the slab is changing and that is the thing to fix.
How do I fix a sunken walkway that is a trip hazard? Can the edge be ground down?
There are three ways, and the size of the step picks the one. A lip under about an inch can be ground down to a smooth bevel, which is quick and tidy. A whole panel that has dropped can often be lifted back level. A panel that is cracked through, or tilted by a root, is taken out and poured again. On the public sidewalk any of these needs a city permit first.
The real price for your property comes from a free on-site estimate and a written quote. Call (678) 736-8780 or send us a photo of the concrete.