Cracked Concrete in Ottawa: Which Quote to Ask For
Too few published repair prices to quote a range
Crack repair prices we found come from one vendor. Replacement uses the published new-concrete ranges, and two Ottawa price pages say small jobs often hit a minimum charge of about $5,500.
Reviewed 2026-09-30 · how we set these ranges
Cracks look alike but lead to different quotes. Pick the one that matches yours to see what to have checked and which repair routes to ask about. None of this is a diagnosis; a contractor has to see it.
What are you seeing?
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Fine surface cracks, slab still flat
- What the sources say
- We found no source that ties fine cracks to a single cause.
- Have a contractor check
- Whether the cracks are growing and whether the slab is level on both sides.
- Repair routes to ask about
- Crack sealing, or leaving it and watching it.
- When replacement comes up
- If a contractor recommends replacement while the slab stays flat, ask them to say why in writing.
- Published price
- Too few published prices for crack sealing.
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A crack right across the slab
- What the sources say
- The Code's appendix notes clay soils expand and contract with moisture and that trees drawing water can cause settling; these are possibilities to have checked.
- Have a contractor check
- Whether the two sides are level with each other, and what the base is like.
- Repair routes to ask about
- Sealing, partial replacement of the cracked section, or full replacement.
- When replacement comes up
- If one side has dropped or lifted, ask how the repair deals with the base.
- Published price
- Too few published prices for partial replacement; new broom-finish concrete runs about $9 to $15 per sq ft.
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A crack where the slab or steps meet the house
- What the sources say
- Foundation walls are another trade; have the crack looked at before anything is sealed.
- Have a contractor check
- Whether the crack is in the slab or steps, or in the foundation wall itself.
- Repair routes to ask about
- Slab or step repair here; foundation work goes to a waterproofing contractor.
- When replacement comes up
- Steps with more than 2 risers that have moved need support to foundation depth under the Code.
- Published price
- Too few published prices.
-
Cracks in a garage floor
- What the sources say
- A garage floor is a floor-on-ground under the Code; fill that changes volume when it freezes must not be used under a floor that will freeze.
- Have a contractor check
- Whether the floor still slopes to drain to the outdoors, and whether it is moving.
- Repair routes to ask about
- Crack sealing, partial or full slab replacement.
- When replacement comes up
- If the slab carries walls it is designed under Part 4; ask the City before it comes out.
- Published price
- Too few published prices for garage floors.
Not a diagnosis: a contractor has to see the concrete. Every number above is a published figure or a City or Code rule.
The rules behind this job
Frost heave results when moisture in frost-susceptible soil (clay and silt) freezes and expands; clay soils are most prone to expansion and contraction due to moisture.
O. Reg. 163/24, Note A-9.4.4.4(1)Coarse-grained soils such as sands and gravels do not heave, whereas clays, silts and very fine sands support the growth of ice lenses.
NRC Canadian Building Digest 182 (1976)Since March 1, 2026 the City of Ottawa has required a hardscaping contractor licence for businesses that install or alter concrete pads, patios, walkways, steps, driveways and retaining walls on private property. Licence holders must carry at least $2,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance and give clients the City's Landscaping Education Guide. Ask to see the licence and check the City's list yourself; we do not check it. The Licensing By-law excludes "minor repairs or minor alterations", which it does not define; ask the City whether your repair counts.
City of Ottawa, Hardscaping Contractor Licence; Licensing By-law 2002-189 (By-law 2026-222)
Ask before you sign
- What is causing the crack, in writing?
- Does the repair deal with the base, or only the surface?
- Is a minimum charge going to apply to a small repair?
More on this work: Concrete Repair
Quick answers
Is a crack in my steps a foundation problem?
Have it looked at. If the crack is in the foundation wall, that is another trade. Steps with more than 2 risers must be supported to foundation depth under the 2024 Ontario Building Code.
Want this done at your place?
Tell us about your concrete job and we'll send it to local Ottawa concrete contractors, who reply by email. We send it out to local contractors for you. Free, no pressure.