If you are searching for concrete general contractors, the first question is whether you need a general contractor at all. This guide explains when a general contractor makes sense in San Antonio and when hiring a concrete contractor directly is simpler, plus what to check before you sign, typical costs, the process, timeline, and City permits.
- What do concrete general contractors do?
- Do I need a general contractor or a concrete contractor?
- What should I look for in a concrete general contractor?
- How much do concrete general contractors cost in San Antonio?
- What is the process when you hire a concrete general contractor?
- How long does a concrete project take with a general contractor?
- Who pulls permits for concrete work in San Antonio?
- How do I protect myself when hiring a general contractor in Texas?
- What are red flags with concrete general contractors?
- When should I call a concrete contractor directly?
- Where do we work?
- What else are homeowners asking?
Hire a general contractor when concrete is one part of a bigger project, like a home addition or a covered patio with wiring. For a driveway, patio, or slab, hiring a concrete contractor directly is usually simpler. A broom-finish driveway typically runs $7 to $12 per square foot in San Antonio. Get written quotes before signing.
What do concrete general contractors do?
A general contractor manages the whole project: hiring and supervising subcontractors, getting building permits, and scheduling inspections. On a project with concrete, the general contractor usually hires a concrete crew as a subcontractor and coordinates it with the other trades.
- General contractor: Runs the job, holds the contract with you, and coordinates framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and concrete.
- Concrete contractor: Does the concrete work itself: tear-out, base prep, forms, steel, pouring, finishing, and curing.
- Concrete subcontractor: A concrete contractor working under a general contractor. Our concrete subcontractor guide covers that side of the job.
Some companies do both, so ask who will actually be on site pouring your concrete.
Match the contractor to the size of the project
Do I need a general contractor or a concrete contractor?
You need a general contractor when concrete is one piece of a project with several trades, such as a home addition or a patio cover with wiring and a roof. For a driveway, patio, sidewalk, or slab on its own, a concrete contractor can handle the whole job directly.
| Project | Usually best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New or replacement driveway | Concrete contractor | One trade: tear-out, base, forms, pour |
| New patio or patio slab | Concrete contractor | One trade, unless a cover is part of it |
| Sidewalk or parking pad on your lot | Concrete contractor | One trade, short schedule |
| Patio cover with lights, fans, or plumbing | General contractor | Framing, roofing, and licensed electrical or plumbing trades |
| Home addition or garage | General contractor | Structural work and City registration rules |
| Whole-home remodel | General contractor | Many trades and inspections to schedule |
If you already have a general contractor, the concrete is usually subcontracted. If the project is only concrete, hiring direct cuts out a layer of management.
What should I look for in a concrete general contractor?
Look for a state-registered business with current insurance, the City registration your project needs, references from similar jobs, and a detailed written contract. Texas does not require general contractors to be licensed or bonded, so these checks matter more.
- City registration for the work: In San Antonio, new homes, structural remodeling, additions, foundation repairs, and detached buildings over 300 square feet require a Residential Building Contractor registration. Non-structural remodeling requires a Home Improvement Contractor registration. Check a contractor with the City Contractor Connect lookup.
- Proof of insurance: Ask for current certificates for liability and workers compensation.
- Concrete experience: Ask how many driveways, patios, or slabs like yours they built in the last year, and who pours them.
- References: Ask for at least three recent clients with similar projects and call them.
- A written, itemized bid: The concrete line should show thickness, base, steel, finish, and tear-out.
Our concrete contractor checklist and licensed concrete contractor guide go deeper on registration and insurance.
How much do concrete general contractors cost in San Antonio?
The concrete itself costs about the same either way, but a general contractor adds a fee for managing the project on top. In San Antonio a broom-finish driveway typically runs $7 to $12 per square foot, and a broom-finish patio about $6 to $12 per square foot.
| Concrete work | Typical cost in San Antonio | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Broom-finish driveway | About $7 to $12 per sq. ft. | Driveway replacement cost guide |
| Two-car driveway, about 500 sq. ft. | About $3,500 to $6,000 | Arithmetic at $7 to $12 |
| Old concrete tear-out and haul-away | About $1.50 to $3.00 per sq. ft. | Driveway replacement cost guide |
| Broom-finish patio | About $6 to $12 per sq. ft. | Patio installation cost guide |
| Parking pad, 10 by 20 feet | About $1,500 to $3,000 | Parking pad guide |
Typical estimates as of October 2026, not a quote. A general contractor fee is on top of these and varies by company and project, so ask for it as its own line.
What is the process when you hire a concrete general contractor?
You get several written estimates, sign a detailed contract, the contractor pulls any permits and schedules the trades, and you pay as work is completed. On concrete-only work with a direct hire, the same steps are shorter.
- Site visit and estimate: The contractor measures, checks soil, slope, drainage, and access, and gives a written price.
- Compare bids: Line up the concrete scope in each bid: thickness, base, steel, finish, and tear-out.
- Sign the contract: It should list start and finish dates, the payment schedule, who gets permits, and how change orders work.
- Permits and scheduling: The contractor files for any permits and schedules the concrete crew around the other trades.
- Prep and pour: Tear-out, base, forms, steel, and the pour.
- Walkthrough and final payment: Inspect the work, get warranties in writing, and confirm subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.
How long does a concrete project take with a general contractor?
The concrete work for a standard driveway or patio takes about 1 to 3 working days once the site is ready. A general contractor job takes longer because the concrete is scheduled around permits, inspections, and other trades.
- Concrete on site: About 1 to 3 working days for a typical driveway, with extra time for tear-out, grading, or permits.
- Walking on it: Typically after 1 to 2 days.
- Driving a car on it: After about 7 days.
- Heavy trucks or trailers: After about 28 days.
These timelines come from our concrete driveway installation page.
Who pulls permits for concrete work in San Antonio?
The contractor should get any permits the job needs, and the contract should say so. Many plain concrete jobs need no City permit: sidewalks and driveways inside your property line are on the City No Permit Required list.
- No permit typically needed: Driveways and sidewalks inside your property line. Historic or conservation districts can still have design rules.
- Work in the right-of-way: Curb cuts, driveway approaches, and public sidewalks fall under the City Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter rules.
- Patio covers: A cover over 300 square feet or attached to the house needs a permit. See our patio permit guide.
- Not sure: Call Development Services at 210-207-1111 before work starts.
A contractor who asks you to pull the permit yourself is a warning sign.
How do I protect myself when hiring a general contractor in Texas?
Get everything in writing, never pay the full price up front, and get proof that subcontractors and suppliers were paid before the final payment. In Texas, an unpaid subcontractor or supplier can file a lien on your property even though you paid the general contractor.
- Pay for completed work: Set the payment schedule so you only pay for work that is done, and do not pay cash.
- Three-day right to cancel: If you sign at home, the contract should state your right to cancel within three business days.
- Lien protection: Ask for lien waivers from the concrete subcontractor and suppliers before the final payment.
- Larger homestead jobs: On homestead improvements over $5,000, the contractor must deposit your payments in a construction account.
- Keep records: Keep the contract, change orders, payment records, and photos in one place.
- A knock on the door because they are in the area or have leftover concrete
- Pressure to sign today, or no copy of the contract to review
- Cash only, or the full price up front
- Asking you to get the permits
Call (713) 504-2341 or request a free quote for a second opinion.
What are red flags with concrete general contractors?
The biggest red flags are pressure, cash, and vague paperwork. A legitimate contractor gives you a written, itemized bid, time to read the contract, and proof of insurance.
- A bid far below the others: Ask what is missing. Low bids often skip base work, steel, or tear-out.
- No thickness or base in the bid: A concrete price without specs cannot be compared.
- Unknown concrete crew: The general contractor cannot tell you who will pour the concrete.
- Financing pushed with the contract: Shop for financing separately.
When should I call a concrete contractor directly?
Call a concrete contractor directly when the project is mostly concrete: a driveway, patio, sidewalk, parking pad, or slab. You deal with the people doing the work, and there is no management layer on the price.
We are a father-son concrete company in San Antonio. We visit the site, check the soil and drainage, and give you a free written, itemized quote before any work starts. Learn more about our concrete driveway installation in San Antonio and concrete patios, or request a free quote and call (713) 504-2341.
Concrete-only project? Hire the crew directly.
Free site visit and a written, itemized price before any work starts. Insured, with $2,000,000 liability coverage. Father-son owned in San Antonio.
Where do we work?
Affordable Concrete San Antonio works across San Antonio and nearby areas from our shop at 1247 W Thompson Pl, San Antonio, TX 78226.
We give free concrete estimates in San Antonio and these nearby areas: Helotes, Leon Valley, Shavano Park, Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights, Converse, Universal City, Schertz, Boerne, Cibolo, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, Spring Branch, New Braunfels, Pleasanton, Floresville, Castroville, Lytle, and Von Ormy. Not sure about your address? Call (713) 504-2341.
What else are homeowners asking?
These are the short answers people want before they book a quote.
What do concrete general contractors do?
A general contractor manages the whole project, hires and supervises subcontractors such as the concrete crew, gets building permits, and schedules inspections.
Do I need a general contractor for a concrete driveway?
Usually not. A driveway is a single-trade job, so a concrete contractor can handle the tear-out, base, forms, and pour directly.
Does Texas require general contractors to be licensed?
No. Texas does not require general contractors to be licensed or bonded, but they must be a state-registered business. San Antonio adds City registration for some residential work.
How much does a concrete driveway cost in San Antonio?
A broom-finish driveway typically runs about $7 to $12 per square foot, so a two-car, 500-square-foot driveway is about $3,500 to $6,000.
Who pulls the permit for concrete work in San Antonio?
The contractor should get any permits the job needs. Driveways and sidewalks inside your property line are on the City No Permit Required list.
How long does concrete driveway work take?
Most standard driveways take about 1 to 3 working days once the site is ready. You can drive a car on new concrete after about 7 days.
Sources used in this article:
- City of San Antonio, Building and Home Improvement contractor registration, checked October 30, 2026, sa.gov
- City of San Antonio, No Permit Required List, checked October 30, 2026, sa.gov
- Texas Law Help, Hiring a Contractor, checked October 30, 2026, texaslawhelp.org
- Affordable Concrete San Antonio, driveway replacement cost guide, checked October 30, 2026, affordableconcretesanantonio.com
- Affordable Concrete San Antonio, patio installation cost guide, checked October 30, 2026, affordableconcretesanantonio.com
This article is general information for San Antonio homeowners, not legal advice. Prices are typical estimates as of October 2026 and can change. Confirm City rules with Development Services before work starts.
What should I read next?
Start with our driveway service, or keep reading before you hire.