01
Is the project private pavement or public frontage?
Identify the affected driveway, apron, sidewalk, or other slab, and whether it sits on your property or within the public right-of-way. South Bend Engineering manages public right-of-way permits and driveway approach resources.
Whether City or County Engineering has authority depends on the street address, so confirm the jurisdiction for your exact property before work on a public sidewalk or approach is discussed.
02
What repair fits the actual concrete?
- Lifting may suit a slab that is mostly intact and uneven. It reuses the existing concrete rather than replacing it.
- Replacement may be worth comparing when the condition is severely deteriorated or the layout needs to change.
- Existing cracks and weathering may still be visible after lifting, so ask the assessor what will and will not change.
03
What should you gather before an estimate?
- Write down the street address and the exact areas that look uneven.
- Take photos from safe, accessible positions rather than standing on or near an unstable edge.
- Note any water you have observed, including where it pools or runs.
- Describe access needs, then ask for a written method, scope, and return-to-use plan for the actual slab.
