CONCRETE STEPS, STAIRS AND FLOATING STEPS IN ESCONDIDO, CA
Floating steps, entry steps and backyard stairs for homes in Escondido, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe and across North County and coastal San Diego.
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Free No-Obligation Estimates
Veteran-Owned Business
40+
Years in Business
Professional Concrete Steps Contractor
Steps connect your home to the driveway, the patio and the rest of the yard. They are used every day, so each riser and tread has to be even, solid and safe in any weather.
Mendenhall Concrete builds concrete steps in Escondido, CA and throughout North County and coastal San Diego. Floating concrete steps are one of our specialties, with each tread set on a hidden base so it appears to hover above the ground. As a concrete steps contractor, we also build entry steps, garden stairs and concrete step replacements that tie into new patios and walkways.
Every project begins with a site visit. We measure the total rise, check how the steps will meet doors, landings and paths, and look at where water drains. You then receive a written estimate that sets out the layout, finish and schedule before work begins.
Why Concrete Is a Smart Choice for Steps and Stairs
Steps take more wear than almost any other surface around a home. Concrete gives you a solid, even climb that holds its shape for years, and it can be formed into simple entry steps or striking floating treads.
Even, Safe Footing
Consistent riser heights and tread depths make steps comfortable to climb and reduce the risk of trips.
Solid Support
Each set of steps sits on a compacted base and footing planned for its location, so the treads stay level as the ground around them moves.
Clean, Modern Lines
Floating treads and crisp edges suit contemporary homes, while traditional steps with landings fit any style of property.
Suited to Local Conditions
Treads are pitched slightly to shed rain, and textured finishes add traction during wet winters and around pools.
Custom Finishes
Choose a broom finish, exposed aggregate, top cast, a smooth finish for floating steps or a stamped pattern that matches your patio.
Signs It's Time for Concrete Step Replacement
Steps usually fail where they meet the ground or the house. Once the base settles or the steps pull away from the foundation, patching the surface does not fix the cause. Concrete step replacement removes the old steps, corrects the base and gives you a new set with even risers.
You May Need New Steps If You Notice:
- Steps Pulling Away From the House: A widening gap between the top step and the threshold points to settlement and can let water reach the foundation.
- Uneven Riser Heights: Steps of different heights are a common cause of trips, especially for guests who do not know them.
- Broken or Crumbling Edges: Chipped nosings and loose corners make each step harder to read and tend to spread over time.
- Tilted or Sunken Treads: Treads that slope toward the house or sit lower on one side mean the support underneath has shifted.
- Water Standing on the Treads: Puddles on a step create a slip hazard and show that the treads no longer shed water.
Project Gallery
Our Promise
“If it’s not right, we’ll make it right. Every time, without question.”
— Mike Stratton, Owner
Built on Reputation.
Veteran-Owned & Operated
Owner Mike Stratton brings his experience in the Armed Forces to every set of steps we build. Our crews arrive on schedule, keep the work area organized and leave the site clean when the work is complete.
Local Since 1982
Since 1982, Mendenhall Concrete has built steps, patios and driveways across North County San Diego. We know how hillside lots and local soil affect a stair layout, and what cities and HOAs expect before work begins.
Written Estimates
Every estimate is provided in writing and covers the layout, finish and schedule, so you know exactly what is included before work begins.
REVIEWS
What Our Customers Say
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE FLOATING CONCRETE STEPS?
Floating steps are concrete treads supported by a base set back from the front edge, so each step appears to hover with a shadow line underneath. They give an entry or patio a clean, modern look and can be paired with poured landings and step pads. We plan the support and reinforcement so each tread feels as solid as a standard step.
WHERE DO FLOATING STEPS WORK BEST?
Floating steps suit front entries, transitions from a house to a patio and short changes in grade in the yard. They work best where the steps can be seen from the side so the floating effect shows. During the site visit we review the height, the space available and how the steps will connect to paths and landings.
CAN YOU REPLACE MY EXISTING CONCRETE STEPS?
Yes. Concrete step replacement starts with removing the old steps and checking the base beneath them. We then form a new set with consistent risers and a solid connection to the landing and the house. Many homeowners replace steps at the same time as a patio or walkway so the finishes match.
HOW LONG DOES CONCRETE STEP INSTALLATION TAKE?
A typical set of entry steps takes a few days of on-site work for removal, forming, placement and finishing. Floating steps and long garden stairs take longer because of the extra forming involved. The forms stay in place while the concrete gains strength, and your estimate includes a realistic schedule.
WHAT FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CONCRETE STEPS?
Broom finishes are the most common for traction. Exposed aggregate and top cast add texture and a decorative look, and floating steps often use a smooth finish with crisp edges. Steps can also be stamped or colored to match a patio. See our stamped and decorative concrete options for more ideas.
DO CONCRETE STEPS NEED A HANDRAIL?
It depends on the number of risers and the local building code. Steps with several risers usually need a handrail, while a single step at a patio often does not. We review the requirement during the estimate and plan the layout so a railing can be added where it is needed.
CAN YOU BUILD STAIRS ON A STEEP SLOPE?
Yes. Hillside stairs are planned around the total rise, with landings to break up long runs and drainage that keeps water off the treads. Some slopes also need a retaining wall beside the stairs to hold back soil. We walk the slope with you and recommend a layout that suits the yard.
DO I NEED A PERMIT FOR NEW CONCRETE STEPS?
Replacing existing steps on private property often does not need a permit, while new structures and work in the public right-of-way usually do. In Escondido, building permits are handled by the City of Escondido Building Division. We confirm the requirements for your city before work begins.
HOW DO I CARE FOR CONCRETE STEPS?
Sweep the treads regularly and keep leaves and debris off them, since both become slippery when wet. Make sure downspouts drain away from the steps. Sealed and decorative finishes benefit from resealing every few years, and we explain the right schedule when the work is complete.
Still have questions?
Call us at (858) 630-4649. We are happy to answer questions about your steps before you commit to anything.
Areas We Serve
We build concrete steps and stairs throughout North County and coastal San Diego, from Escondido and Poway to Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas and Carlsbad. If you don’t see your city listed, give us a call and we’ll let you know.
- Poway
- Escondido
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Del Mar
- Solana Beach
- Encinitas
- Carlsbad
- San Marcos
- Vista
- Oceanside
- Bonsall
- Fallbrook
- Valley Center
- Ramona
- Rancho Bernardo
- Rancho Peñasquitos
- Mira Mesa
- La Jolla
Serving North County and coastal San Diego. Call us to confirm service at your address.
