"Greg and his team provided a great quote for a poured concrete driveway and stamped concrete patio well below other quotes we received. He was very responsive as to the work dates due to rain and the job was done quickly. Greg was able resolve an issue with the concrete color and we get compliments from all our neighbors on how great the job looks."
"Home Specs did everything I was hoping in repairing the leak in my basement wall. Mike was friendly and informative about the process and finished the job in a few hours. I used Home Specs before for a different crack and feel comfortable that they guarantee their work. BTW when I first called they were able to send an estimator within days and set up repair shortly after."
"They are professional and thorough, but there is really no wiggle room if you would like something differently done. Choices in booklet are pretty basic, not a lot of options (for flooring types, door style, trim) This company is like the Anderson Windows of basements. (No doubt they spend a lot on advertising; There is a reason they are the top result when searching!) Expect to pay quite a bit more than you planned, but I knew if I chose them it would be done and warrantied for everything. Sometimes you just want to sign and not worry, and I would definitely pick Finished basements plus if you are in that situation and have the budget."
"We have a crack in our basement wall & need to stable it before it gets worse. Andy Hess spent almost two hours walking me through each option. When he left I felt I had enough knowledge of the problem and had a few different options for a solution."
Big Rods proudly provides concrete repair, masonry restoration, and structural solutions throughout Wayne County, MI. Since 2017, we have built our reputation by treating each property with respect and delivering workmanship that stands up to the elements and everyday use. Our team supports both homeowners and local businesses with services that prioritize proper preparation, safe execution, and lasting performance.\n\nIn addition to concrete contractor services, we offer skilled masonry contractor solutions such as tuck pointing, brick waterproofing, basement waterproofing, glass block work, fireplace repair or replacement, and gutter drain tile systems that help protect your structure over time. We believe customers deserve honest recommendations, clear expectations, and results that improve both function and curb appeal. When you need a concrete contractor who shows up prepared and a masonry contractor who stands behind the work, Big Rods is ready to help.
"First, the nightmare driveway: We bought the house new in 2002. In the first couple of years of construction in the sub, the builder had to demolish & replace 50+ driveways due to improper design & prep of the fill. Mine was to be replaced but the builder went toes up prior to replacing my drive. Within 2 years a couple of adjacent slabs had sunk in the middle of the slab noticeably and it only worsened from there. Fast forward to today. The HOA (never again) was on my case to fix the driveway or suffer fines. As the concrete is 15 years old & spalled from the salt, I looked first at replacement. The single-car drive is not huge but I was still looking at a range of $2700-3500 to rip & replace. Being upside down as many of the houses in the area are, I didn't feel that I could invest that amount so I looked at leveling instead. I received several quotes and selected Lift and Level based on cost & other reviews on AL. The crew showed up on time (even a bit early) and were onsite about 6 hours. The driveway was so uneven that they pumped 11 yards of fill and even had to leave to 'reload' and return, which they did promptly. There were a couple of areas where the edges opposite of the sunken edge had 'heaved' so severely that I was told that they probably wouldn't become 100% level. Watching the crew work, however, it was clear that they had enough expertise in leveling that even working with this 'tricky' situation, they were able to achieve very good results. No it's not perfect on a couple of the outside edges but the way that they 'split the difference' made it look darn good and virtually eliminated all trip hazards. The crew was friendly, punctual and professional. At one point another crew even showed up to review the work and offer suggestions on the difficult areas. At all times the crew worked with a very large level, I'm assuming to ensure drainage away from the house. The work is warranted for 2 years and they were sure to tell me to give them a call if any adjustments become necessary. Time will tell, but seems like a great job & a good option to replacement when money is an issue.
"They responded to our call promptly and had a quote within days. The work was scheduled shortly after that and done in one day. They made certain the concrete was level with the garage floor and sidewalk. They also filled the spaces between the concrete pads with a filler to help prevent further washout and made recommendations for work that we could do to prevent further problems in the future (work that they do not perform). "
"Evaluated two companies to do the work. Obtained names of these firms from Angie's List. Both ' A Cheaper Chimney Sweeper' and the other firm came to my home to evaluate situation and quoted a price to stop the leaking. Though the other firm seemed a little more polished felt more comfortable with Lee, the owner. Work began promptly on the day we agreed upon (March 2014). Lee accompanied the two fellows that did the work. Kevin and Al. Kevin being the lead person. Nice guy. Unfortunately, despite a valiant effort in digging down around the outside basement wall (in muddy conditions) the basement continued to leak. My recollection was that Lee and Kevin said it wouldn't and if it did, call them. I did and Lee & Kevin returned to inspect the situation. A new date was established (Sept. 2014). Kevin returned, we agreed upon a little more money to make it right'. Once again, a valiant effort by both Kevin and his assistant, Al. This time I even permitted them to remove a shrub near the porch so they could really have access to the exterior basement wall. Unfortunately, the basement leak continued. We attempted to establish a 'return' date. Kevin kept making dates to return but was never able to keep the appointments. Later he and I managed to connect on the phone and he expressed his sincere desire to stop the leak for me. Finally, had a 'text message' conversation with Kevin (think it was a text message). In that conversation Kevin indicated it was beginning to get cold out and the tar they use would work better if we waited until the warmer weather (Spring '15). Sure hope I hear from them soon! The spring thaw is about to begin and I'm getting really concerned as I know this is when the leaking begins! They really seem like honorable guys; it's just that the problem still isn't fixed. Once it is I'll be happy to revise my 'Ratings' of 'A Cheaper Chimney Sweeper'. Was hard to do at this time as I feel as though 'I'm in limbo.' Hey, Lee. I had more work I wanted you to quote on. Would actually like to pursue that other work as I know your going to take care of the 'leaking porch' situation. "
"Bob came out and talked to me about what needed to happen. Didn't try to sell me on anything I didn't need and even gave some advice on how the sump pump should be adjusted. Bill and PJ came out to do the actual work. Nice guys and wasted no time getting started. Laid down sheets to protect the hardwood floor in the foyer as they came in and out. Bill went above and beyond fixing the rod holes and the sealed cracks look like they'll hold forever. The outside sump discharge line looks great and I now have a clean-out for any future maintenance. Not much in the way of rain lately so won't know if everything sealed until then, but 4-Ever gives a lifetime guarantee so I'm not too worried. What I did learn with this project is that I have an entire wall of rod holes that aren't leaking bad yet, but do show sign of water leakage and will need to be fixed. Once I get the energy, I will tear out all the drywall and not hesitate to call Bob again to have his guys come out and do the rest of the rod holes."
"Did a great job. Other contractors said patio could not be repaired and needed to be ripped out to put a new patio in. ACE saved me thousands of dollars by lifting and caulking existing patio. They also did a good job of matching the color of the caulk to the stamped concrete color of my patio. Highly recommend these guys."
The ideal base for concrete is even, firm, and permeable to encourage drainage. Depending on your project's weight requirements, a combination of gravel, sand, or other aggregates is best. While you can technically pour concrete over grass, dirt, or an old piece of concrete, you risk threatening the concrete's stability.
Professionals provide long-lasting, structurally sound, and aesthetically appealing concrete surfaces tailored to business needs.
It’s possible to pour concrete if the temperatures are expected to dip below freezing at night, but you need to take some special precautions before you do. Most importantly, you need to make sure your concrete won’t freeze, so the best thing to do is enclose the area and heat it. You should also make sure you’re using cold-weather concrete that’s designed for pouring in cold weather. Use accelerants to help speed up the curing process and avoid cold temperatures from resulting in weak concrete.
Unfortunately, concrete cracks happen, so there’s no surefire way to avoid them long-term. To slow down the cracking, apply a sealant every two to three years and use sand rather than salt to melt snow or ice. Using salt speeds up the freeze-thaw cycle, which may increase the likelihood of cracking. Additionally, keep vehicles and heavy machinery off of your concrete, as the weight can lead to more cracking.
Concrete walls last anywhere from 30 to 100 years. In many cases, concrete walls will last longer with proper support and ongoing maintenance. Some concrete foundations, for example, could last up to two centuries when properly maintained. Toward the end of its life span, however, it's critical to have a structural engineer examine the concrete wall for potential signs of decay.
The Romulus, MI homeowners’ guide to concrete wall construction
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Whether you're pouring a new driveway or adding a patio to your outdoor space, use this guide to determine the cost to pour a new concrete slab in Detroit, MI.
