Concrete can crack from general wear, improper installation, or in response to uneven support from the soil underneath. Small, thin cracks on the surface of aging concrete are usually a result of normal wear and tear, while cracks on new concrete more likely indicate a problem with installation. Larger cracks or uneven steps can signify a much more severe issue. A concrete contractor should be able to diagnose the cause and repair concrete cracks for you.

A concrete driveway lasts between 25 and 30 years, provided you maintain it correctly. Other factors that impact the lifespan of a concrete driveway include your location’s climate and the amount of wear and tear it receives. Heavier vehicles, like RVs and trucks, notoriously create more wear and tear than lighter vehicles and, therefore, might reduce the concrete driveway’s overall lifespan.

With proper maintenance, exterior concrete steps can last 25 to 50 years or more. In most cases, your steps will require some minor repairs over that time frame, including sealing surface cracks and resurfacing to keep them in good condition. Interior concrete steps should last even longer, usually between 50 and 75 years, as they don’t have to stand up to the elements.

The cost to install a concrete driveway is $4 to $15 per square foot on average. Your price heavily depends on your desired concrete finish and driveway size. 

For a driveway that is 200 square feet, you can expect to pay an average cost of $1,900. For a driveway at double that size (400 square feet), the average price is closer to $3,800. Plain concrete is significantly more cost-effective, averaging $7 per square foot, whereas stained concrete averages around $19 per square foot.

The cost of resurfacing concrete is $6 per square foot on average, though that cost can range from $3 to $9 per square foot. 

For a driveway that is 200 square feet, you can expect to pay $600 to $1,800, and for a driveway that is 500 square feet, that cost averages $1,500 to $4,500. Resurfacing your driveway will give you the look and feel of a new surface without the hefty cost.

You may want to hire a concrete floor contractor to check out your home’s concrete surfaces or inspect your home’s foundation for minor damages that they can fix while on site. They may be able to fix cracks in your driveway or garage floor the same day they fix your concrete steps, as well. General concrete repair experts usually won’t be able to handle larger jobs, like leveling a sunken foundation, so you’ll need to hire a structural engineer for bigger projects.