How a new steps job usually goes
- Measure: the contractor measures the height from grade to the door threshold, the space in front of the door and where the steps will land, then lays out the number of risers and the landing size.
- Permit: some step projects need a permit, especially where steps reach the sidewalk or the work changes the entry. See concrete steps permits in Grand Rapids.
- Locate: a MISS DIG 811 utility locate is requested before any digging.
- Base and footing: soil is excavated and a compacted base or footing is placed so frost and settling are less likely to move the steps.
- Form and pour, or set: poured steps are formed, reinforced and poured; precast steps are lifted into place on a prepared base.
- Finish and cure: treads get a slip-resistant finish, the concrete cures, and handrails go on if they are part of the job.
Poured or precast?
Poured-in-place steps are formed to fit your exact entry and can include a larger landing or wrap-around shape. Precast steps are made off site and set by the contractor, which can be quicker for a standard size. Either way, the base underneath matters most. A local contractor can tell you which suits your entry, and this site is for having the work done, not for buying a step unit to install yourself.
Built for West Michigan winters
Freeze-thaw cycles, lake-effect snow and de-icing salt are hard on concrete. Ask about air-entrained concrete, proper slope so water runs off the treads, a solid base below the frost line and how to care for the surface in winter. See when concrete steps need replacing.