Nationally, small driveway repairs cost $100 to $400 and larger ones cost $600 to $3,000. In Newark the two things we repair most are surfaces scaled by salt and frost, and sidewalk or driveway panels that have lifted or dropped.
Every price range on this page is a national figure that HomeGuide published for 2026. None of them is a quote from us. Labor rates in North Jersey, tight access, old concrete to remove and the ground on your lot all push the real number one way or the other. Last checked October 2026.
How much does concrete repair cost?
Concrete repair cost depends on the type of damage. Fixing driveway cracks is $100 to $400 nationally. Major repairs or resurfacing are $600 to $3,000. Patching is $3 to $8 per square foot, and crack repair is $0.50 to $3 per linear foot.
| Repair | National cost (HomeGuide, 2026) |
|---|---|
| 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 flat, solid and at the same height. We clean the crack and seal it so water and salt stay out. It should be replaced when the pieces have shifted, the slab sounds hollow, or the cracks form a web across the whole surface.
Why is my concrete driveway cracking?
Here the usual causes are frost, water and age. Water gets under the slab, freezes, lifts it, then thaws and lets it down, many times each winter. Older Newark driveways are often thin, with no joints and no steel, and they sit on whatever fill was there. Tree roots, heavy trucks and a downspout emptying beside the slab add to it.
Why is my concrete sinking, and can it be leveled?
Concrete sinks when the ground under it washes out or packs down. Common reasons here are a leaking downspout or drain, poorly compacted fill beside a foundation, and an old utility trench. A sound slab that has dropped can often be leveled by pumping material under it. A slab that is broken, or that sits on fill still going down, is better replaced.
How much does concrete leveling cost?
The national concrete leveling cost is $3 to $12 per square foot, 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 for every slab. Mudjacking pumps a cement and soil slurry through larger holes. It costs less and is heavy, which can matter on soft fill. Foam goes in through small holes, weighs very little, sets in minutes and does not wash out. Foam suits slabs near a foundation and slabs on weak ground. Mudjacking suits big, plain slabs on firm soil.
Is foam lifting a permanent fix or will the slab drop again?
Foam is a permanent fix only if the reason for the sinking has been dealt with. The foam itself does not rot or wash away. If the downspout still dumps water there, or the fill under the slab is still settling, the slab can move again. Fix the water first, then lift.
Can concrete be resurfaced instead of replaced?
Yes, when the slab is solid and only the top is worn. Resurfacing is $3 to $7 per square foot nationally, a decorative overlay is $6 to $20, and a two-car driveway is $1,200 to $2,900. An overlay will not hide movement. Any crack that is still working will come back through it.
My old patio has cracks and flaking. Can it be resurfaced, and how long will it last?
It can be resurfaced if the slab is level, the cracks are tight and the flaking is shallow. How long a resurfacing will last depends on the slab below and on the winters. On a dry, stable slab an overlay can serve for many years. On a slab that holds water or gets salted, it can start to lift within a few winters. We tap the surface to find loose areas before we recommend it.
Why is my concrete spalling or flaking?
In North Jersey, spalling or flaking is almost always freeze-thaw damage made worse by deicing salt. Water soaks into the top of the slab, freezes and pops the surface off. It happens fastest on concrete that was not air-entrained, was finished with extra water on top, or was salted in its first winter. Salt that drips off parked cars is why garage aprons go first.
Can a flaking surface be repaired without replacing the slab?
Shallow flaking can be repaired. We grind or blast off the weak layer, then bond a polymer-modified overlay to sound concrete and seal it. If the flaking goes deep, or the concrete below is soft and crumbly, an overlay will not hold and the slab should be replaced with an air-entrained mix.
Why is my driveway lifting or heaving?
A driveway that is lifting or heaving in winter is usually riding on frozen ground. Wet soil swells as it freezes and pushes the slab up, most often at the edges and the apron. If the lift stays through summer, look for a tree root. A base of clean crushed stone that drains, and keeping roof water away, reduce frost heave.
Can a wide crack be patched, or will the patch pop out?
A patch in a wide crack will hold only if the crack has stopped moving. In our climate most wide cracks open and close with the seasons, so a hard patch pops out. A flexible sealant over backer rod moves with the crack and keeps water out. If the two sides are at different heights, patching is cosmetic and the slab needs lifting or replacing.
How do I fix a sunken walkway that is a trip hazard?
A sunken walkway panel that is otherwise whole can be lifted back level with foam or slurry. A broken panel is cut out and poured new. A trip hazard on the public sidewalk should not wait, because the city can send a notice and a fall there can bring a claim. See our permit guide for who is responsible.
The real price for your property comes from a free on-site estimate with measurements and a written quote. Call (917) 909-5931 or text us a photo of the area.