Outdoor Living Starts with a Solid Foundation
Your outdoor space should be an extension of your home, not an afterthought. A well-built patio creates a place to grill, entertain, relax, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest summers that make all the rainy months worthwhile. Whether you are looking for a simple concrete slab or an elaborate multi-level patio with retaining walls and built-in seating, the foundation matters more than anything.
At NW General Contractor, we handle every type of residential concrete and hardscape project throughout Everett and Snohomish County. From new patio installations and driveway replacements to retaining walls that solve grading problems on sloped lots, our team manages the full scope — site prep, grading, forming, pouring, finishing, and sealing. We build it right so it holds up to decades of Pacific Northwest weather.
Our Patio & Concrete Services
Concrete and hardscape work covers a wide range of projects. Some homeowners need a simple walkway repair. Others are planning a complete backyard transformation. We scale to fit your goals and your budget. Here is what we handle:
- Stamped Concrete Patios — The most versatile option for outdoor living spaces. Stamped concrete can replicate the look of natural stone, brick, slate, or wood plank at a fraction of the cost. We offer dozens of patterns and integral color options to match your home's style.
- Paver Patios — Interlocking concrete or natural stone pavers laid on a compacted base. Pavers offer excellent durability, easy repair, and permeable options that help manage stormwater runoff — an increasingly important consideration in Snohomish County.
- Concrete Driveways — New pours and full replacements for cracked, settled, or deteriorating driveways. We install with proper thickness, reinforcement, and control joints to minimize cracking over time.
- Walkways & Pathways — Concrete, paver, or flagstone pathways connecting your front entry, side yard, garden, or detached structures. We grade for proper drainage and ADA accessibility where needed.
- Retaining Walls — Segmental block, poured concrete, or natural stone retaining walls to manage slopes, prevent erosion, and create usable flat areas on hilly lots. Engineered designs for walls over four feet.
- Concrete Repair & Resurfacing — Crack repair, leveling, overlay coatings, and decorative resurfacing for existing concrete that has seen better days but does not need full replacement.
- Steps & Stoops — Front entry steps, back porch stoops, and garden stairs built to code with proper rise, run, and handrail connections. Poured concrete or precast options available.
- Decorative Concrete — Exposed aggregate, acid staining, colored concrete, and broomed or troweled finishes. Decorative concrete adds character without the cost of premium pavers or natural stone.
Choosing the Right Material for Your Patio
The material you choose for your patio affects its look, its longevity, its maintenance requirements, and its cost. Here is how the most popular options compare for the Snohomish County climate.
Stamped concrete is the most popular choice among our clients. It delivers the look of natural stone or brick at a lower cost per square foot, and because it is a single monolithic pour, it provides a smooth, consistent surface with no joints for weeds to grow through. The tradeoff is that cracks, when they occur, are more visible than with pavers. Proper control joints, adequate base preparation, and periodic resealing minimize this risk. Stamped concrete is ideal for patios, pool decks, and covered outdoor living areas.
Interlocking pavers are the premium option for homeowners who want maximum durability and design flexibility. Because each paver is an individual unit, the surface flexes with ground movement rather than cracking. If a section settles or a paver chips, you can lift and replace just the affected area without touching the rest. Permeable paver systems are also available, which allow rainwater to filter through the joints and into the ground below — a real advantage in the Pacific Northwest where stormwater management is a growing concern for residential properties.
Exposed aggregate is a classic Pacific Northwest look. The surface is poured like standard concrete, then the top layer is washed away to reveal the natural stone aggregate underneath. The result is a textured, slip-resistant surface with a natural, earthy appearance that blends well with Northwest landscaping. Exposed aggregate works particularly well for driveways, walkways, and pool surrounds where traction matters.
What Does a Patio or Concrete Project Cost in Everett?
Concrete and hardscape costs depend on the size of the project, the material selected, site conditions, and whether grading or retaining walls are involved. Here are the general ranges we see in Snohomish County:
- Basic concrete patio ($3,000 – $6,000): Standard brushed or broomed concrete slab, typically 200–400 square feet. Includes site prep, forming, pouring, and basic finishing.
- Stamped or paver patio ($6,000 – $15,000): Decorative stamped concrete or interlocking pavers with a compacted base. Covers 200–600 square feet with color, pattern, and sealing included.
- Premium project with retaining walls ($15,000 – $30,000+): Multi-level patios, engineered retaining walls, built-in seating, fire pit pads, outdoor kitchen foundations, and integrated drainage systems.
Outdoor hardscape projects typically deliver a strong return on investment. According to the National Association of Realtors, a new patio recovers roughly 69% of its cost at resale. In Snohomish County, where outdoor living space is a major selling point, a well-designed patio can make your home stand out in a competitive market and extend your usable living area at a fraction of the cost of an interior addition.
Our Patio & Concrete Process
We follow a structured process to ensure every concrete project is built on a solid foundation — literally. Here is what to expect:
- Design Consultation & Site Assessment — We visit your property, evaluate soil conditions, drainage patterns, and access, then discuss your vision and budget. We take measurements and photos to prepare a detailed proposal. This visit is free and comes with no obligation.
- Site Preparation & Grading — We excavate to the required depth, establish proper grade for drainage away from your foundation, and compact the subbase. For projects on sloped lots, this phase includes cut-and-fill grading and any necessary retaining wall footings.
- Forms & Reinforcement — We set forms to the exact dimensions and elevation, install rebar or wire mesh for reinforcement, and place control joints at the correct intervals to manage cracking. Expansion joints are added where concrete meets existing structures.
- Pour & Finish — Concrete is poured, vibrated to eliminate air pockets, screeded to level, and finished to the specified texture — broom, trowel, stamped, or exposed aggregate. Stamped patterns and integral colors are applied during this phase.
- Cure & Protect — Fresh concrete is covered or sprayed with curing compound to ensure it hydrates properly over the first 7 days. We keep traffic off the surface during this critical period. Rushing the cure leads to surface defects and reduced strength.
- Seal & Final Walkthrough — Once cured, we apply a penetrating or topical sealer to protect against moisture, staining, and UV damage. We walk the completed project with you, address any punch-list items, and provide care instructions for long-term maintenance.
Timeline: How Long Does a Patio or Concrete Project Take?
Most concrete projects move quickly once site work begins. The biggest variable is weather — concrete should not be poured in heavy rain or freezing temperatures, so we schedule accordingly for the Pacific Northwest climate. Here is a rough breakdown:
- Simple patio (200–400 sq ft): 3–5 days from excavation to finish
- Stamped or paver patio: 5–10 days depending on size and complexity
- Driveway replacement: 3–7 days including demolition of old surface
- Retaining wall project: 1–3 weeks depending on wall height and length
- Complex multi-element project (patio + walls + walkways): 2–4 weeks
All timelines exclude the 7-day curing period where the concrete must not bear heavy loads. We schedule pours to avoid rain in the forecast and can install temporary covers if needed. We provide a detailed schedule at the start of every project and keep you updated if weather or other factors cause adjustments.
Permits for Patio & Concrete Work in Everett
Not every concrete project requires a permit, but some do. In the City of Everett and Snohomish County, permits are generally required when the work involves:
- Retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
- Grading that changes drainage patterns or moves more than 50 cubic yards of soil
- Structures that encroach on setbacks or easements
- Work within critical areas (wetlands, steep slopes, stream buffers)
- New impervious surface that exceeds local stormwater thresholds
Standard patios, walkways, and driveway replacements that do not change the footprint or grading typically do not require permits. We evaluate permit requirements as part of our initial consultation and handle the application process when permits are needed.
Why Everett Homeowners Choose NW General Contractor
Concrete work is only as good as the preparation underneath it. We have seen too many patios and driveways fail prematurely because the base was not compacted properly, the drainage was not addressed, or the concrete was poured too thin. We do not cut those corners. Every project gets the right base depth, proper reinforcement, and correct finishing for the application and the climate.
We are licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington state. We work throughout Snohomish County and understand the local soil conditions, the drainage challenges that come with our rainfall, and the permitting requirements for each jurisdiction. Whether it is a simple patio for weekend barbecues or a full hardscape transformation with retaining walls and outdoor living features, we deliver work that lasts.