Manhattan, Kansas
Decorative concrete in Manhattan, KS
Stamped, stained and exposed aggregate patios and walks, plus full driveway replacement. We're a local concrete contractor that pours on a compacted base, cuts joints where the slab needs them, and tells you up front what it costs.
What we pour
Decorative and new concrete, not patch jobs
We pour decorative concrete and new flatwork, and we replace slabs that are past saving. We don't do crack filling or mudjacking.
Stamped Concrete
Patterned patios, walks and pool decks poured with color and texture built in.
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Stained & Exposed Aggregate
Acid stain, integral color and exposed aggregate finishes for new slabs.
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Concrete Patios
New patios poured on a proper base, sized for how you actually use the yard.
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Driveway Replacement
Tear-out and full replacement of cracked, sunken or heaved driveways.
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Why concrete fails around Manhattan
A lot of the soil around here is clay that swells when it's wet and shrinks when it dries. Add a winter of freezing and thawing, and a slab poured on a thin, loose base will crack and settle within a few years.
When a driveway or patio fails, it's usually the base, not the surface. So that's where we spend the time:
- Excavate to firm soil and haul off what can't support a slab
- Compacted gravel base, graded so water drains away from the house
- Rebar or wire mesh sized to the job, set at the right height in the slab
- Control joints cut deep enough and close enough to do their job
- Air-entrained mix for freeze-thaw, and a cure and seal schedule we give you in writing
Pricing
What drives the price
Concrete is priced mostly by square foot, but the same 400 square feet can vary a lot. These are the things that move the number:
- Tear-out. Removing an old driveway adds labor and disposal. A new patio on open ground doesn't have that cost.
- Access. If a truck can back up to the forms, it's cheaper than pumping or wheelbarrowing into a back yard.
- Thickness and steel. A driveway that carries a truck needs more than a patio that carries a grill.
- Finish. Broom finish is the baseline. Stamping, color and stain each add labor and material.
- Shape. Curves, steps and borders take more forming than a plain rectangle.
A cheaper bid usually means a thinner slab, a thinner base, or no steel. Ask any contractor to put those three things in writing. We will.
Finishes
Decorative concrete finishes
Stamped patterns, color, exposed aggregate and plain broom finish. When we come out to measure, we can go over color charts and photos of each.
Service area
Manhattan and nearby towns
We work across Manhattan, from older homes near Aggieville and City Park to newer builds on the west side. We also take jobs in Wamego, Junction City, Ogden, St. George and Keats. If you're not sure we come out your way, call and ask.
Decorative concrete questions
What counts as decorative concrete?
Any finish that takes concrete past plain gray: stamped patterns, integral color, acid or water-based stain, exposed aggregate, and colored or stamped borders. In Manhattan most of it goes on patios, front walks, porches and pool decks. The stamped concrete and stained and exposed aggregate pages cover each finish in more detail.
Is decorative concrete a better choice than pavers?
It depends on what bothers you more. A poured slab is one solid piece, so there are no joints for weeds to grow through and no pavers to settle or shift. Pavers can be lifted and reset if something underneath moves, and a cracked paver is easier to swap than a section of slab. On a well-built base, both hold up to Kansas winters.
How long does decorative concrete last here?
A slab poured on a compacted base, with air-entrained concrete and joints cut in the right places, can last for decades. The decorative surface needs more upkeep than the slab itself: plan on resealing stamped, colored or stained concrete every two to three years to keep the color and protect it from freeze-thaw and de-icing salt.
When is the best time of year to pour?
Spring through fall, when the ground isn’t frozen and nights stay above freezing while the concrete cures. Spring and early summer book up first in Manhattan, so getting a quote over the winter is the easiest way to get on the schedule early.
Do you fix cracked or sunken concrete?
No. We don’t do crack filling, patching or mudjacking. If a slab has sunk, heaved or broken through, the problem is usually the base underneath, so we tear it out and pour it new. If yours only has a few hairline cracks and is still level, it probably doesn’t need replacing yet.
What areas do you work in?
Mostly Manhattan, plus Wamego, Junction City, Ogden, St. George, Keats and the surrounding area. If you’re not sure whether we come out your way, put your ZIP code in the quote form and we’ll let you know.
Get a written quote
We measure on site and give you a written quote with demo, base, concrete, finish and sealing listed separately. No pressure and no "today only" pricing.