frequently asked questions

Our service area covers the majority of Northeast Ohio. We primarily service the Portage County area but have many clients in surrounding counties, such as Summit, Stark, Trumbull, Geauga, Cuyahoga, & Medina counties. 

We will handle all prep work, we just access onto your property. A few things to prepare before construction:

• Make sure any fence areas can be removed or opened to allow for at least a 6-10' opening for equipment access. If a cement truck access is needed, we will need a minimum of 12'. If these opening requirements are not an option for your property, reach out to us to discuss workarounds. 
• Clear areas of personal belongings & furniture
• Note any low hanging branches or wires that may need removed or secured
• Work with a J Allen team member to discuss material & equipment staging areas & concerns. We make the construction process as seamless as possible by maintaining foot, vehicular, & road traffic & providing as little disruption as possible to surrounding areas. However, you can expect a short amount of down-time on your yard & access points to allow us to complete the project as quickly & efficiently as possible. 

One of our personnel will discuss necessary permitting with you during the quoting phase. Each municipality is unique in their requirements. We can certainly handle the permitting process, if they are necessary. 

This is the most common question we get asked! Walking- We request you do not walk on your concrete for AT LEAST 24 hours after the concrete has been finished. Keep in mind, it will scuff easily during this time so avoid dragging your feet and keeping pets off of it for at least 3 days. *For stamped and decorative finishes this time frame will increase. 

Driving- We request you do not drive on the new concrete for AT LEAST 7 days. This time can differ between concrete finishes, weight of cars, etc. but please keep in mind that concrete has not reached its full compressive strength until 28 days after it has been poured. We recommend keeping heavy equipment off of it for that time.

Unfortunately concrete often cracks in freeze/thaw climates. To minimize and control cracking, we place control joints or saw cuts in the concrete so the concrete will “crack” where the control joints are placed. You can also add certain products to the concrete mix that contain millions of fibers to help control cracking even more.

The difference in price between the two is made up within the lifetime of the product. A quality concrete driveway or patio will last more than 30 years with little maintenance while asphalt driveways require periodic sealing cost to cover cracking. When you begin factoring the cost of repairs and crack sealers on the asphalt driveway, concrete will cost much less.

Yes! The rate at which the concrete will harden is very much affected by the temperature, moisture and even wind. For example, wind can cause the concrete to crack while rain will significantly weaken the surface. Sometimes when concrete is placed in cold temperatures, the product will need heated or covered to maintain the integrity of the concrete.

A protective concrete sealer minimizes moisture and salt penetrating into the surface of the concrete. Therefore, limiting it’s deterioration due to the freezing/thawing cycle. The first coat of sealer should be applied once the driveway has had the opportunity to cure and air dry (approx. 30 days). After the initial application, a coat should be applied every 2-3 years depending on the sealer.

Of course not! We can create a limitless palette of special finishes for concrete surfaces. Additionally, concrete can take on various shapes, patterns and textures depending on the decorative contractor.

We would not recommend this for at least a week after it is poured. Rain water is normally fine but city water or high mineral well water is not good for newly placed concrete.

A vapor barrier is a sheet of heavy gauge (6 mL.) plastic placed 2” below the sub grade. It is required on all interior applications to prevent moisture from coming through the concrete and creating mold. It is also required in any colored concrete for the color consistency warranty. This will be placed per decision made by the customer.

At J Allen Contracting, we take great pride in our work and use only quality materials, have a quality crew and have a higher overhead than contractors who are not properly licensed or insured. We do not believe in “cutting corners” to get the job. With that being said, we have found our prices to be very competitive against other licensed contractors.

We typically do a "rough grade" & backfill around your new concrete surface after construction. A lot of our customers, have a designated landscape company they work with that they will call in for finishing touches after construction. We can certainly provide these services if requested, however! 

Yes! Green building is a concept of construction that eliminates depleting resources for future generations. In the shift of sustainability, concrete is emerging as a champion in this sector, rather than a rebel. It is difficult to find a building material that possesses the same thermal qualities, design flexibility, & permeance as concrete does. Concrete, in all stages of its life span, from raw material production to demolition, is environmentally friendly. According to the Portland Cement Association & The Environmental Council of Concrete Organizations, the following is what makes concrete a sustainable building material:

• Resource Efficiency- The predominant raw material in concrete is limestone, which is the most abundant mineral on earth. 
• Durability- Concrete is a durable, long-lasting product that will not rust, rot, or burn. Its life span triples those of other building materials. 
• Thermal Mass- Buildings or homes with concrete walls, foundations, & floors are highly energy efficient because they take advantage of concretes thermal mass ability to absorb & retain heat. This results in significant lower heating & cooling bills. 
• Reflectivity- Concrete minimizes urban heat islands. Being lighter in color, concrete absorbs less heat & reflects more solar radiation than dark materials, such as asphalt. 
• Water Retainage- Asphalt pavement is an impervious product & can block natural water infiltration into the soil. This creates an imbalance in the natural ecosystem & can lead to erosion problems, flash flooding, & pollution. Concrete, on the other hand, is a pervious product with a sponge-like network that allows water to pass through steadily. Concrete pavement can help retain storm water runoff & replenish local water supply. 
• Minimal Waste- Concrete can be produced in exact quantities needed for each project, reducing waste. After a concrete structure has served its purpose, it can then be crushed and recycled into aggregate for use in new construction road base or fill material. 

• Seal the concrete every 2-3 years as discussed above.

• Do not drive on the new concrete for at least 7 days.

• Do not allow water to drain beneath the concrete. This can result in settlement cracks.

• Do not allow snow or ice to accumulate on the surface especially the first winter. Try to keep your driveway or patio shoveled as best you can!

• Do not apply chemicals for snow and ice removal the first winter. However, you can use sand as an alternative.

• Never use chemicals containing ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate which can aggressively attack concrete.

• Frequent sweeping and occasional hosing will keep your concrete looking good! Wet leaves have a tendency to stain on concrete so be prepared for the fall.

J Allen Contracting offers a wide range of construction services including new construction, remodeling, renovations, and general contracting.

We specialize in commercial concrete construction and site work packages. We have served various industry types such as retail, industrial, manufacturing, renovations, among many others. We also offer General Contracting services for new build projects, specifically warehouses and industrial additions. 

Yes! We work closely with our third party vendors to provide you with the utmost satisfaction from pre-planning and design to final close out. 

J Allen Contracting has been in business for over 10 years, providing top-quality construction services to clients in the local area. Our team has over 75 years of combined experience.

J Allen Contracting is committed to providing exceptional customer service, high-quality workmanship, and competitive pricing. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to ensure that their projects are completed on time and within budget. Our diverse offering of services allows us to be a top choice in choosing a contractor.

Yes, J Allen is properly licensed, insured, and bonded to provide construction services. 

Here at J Allen, we take safety very seriously. Our skilled safety team provides Site Specific Safety Plans for every project. We hold monthly safety meetings and trainings for our staff, as well as regular inspections of all equipment, tools, and PPE gear. 

Our team holds both Occupational Safety & Health Administration and Mine Safety & Health Administration certifications. Many of our staff members, have various industry specific certifications as well that were obtained through the American Concrete Institute, American Institute of Architects, and the Decorative Concrete Institute.

J Allen has a staff of internal project managers, estimators, accounting, and operational with over 50 years of experience in the industry. We have several field crews including excavation, carpentry and formwork, pour crew, and a clean-up/maintenance crew. J Allen is proud to have a fleet of over 15 crew trucks and several pieces of machinery ranging from compact to heavy scale equipment. Project size is no problem for us, no matter how small or large you need.

Yes! We are happy to provide a list of customer or trade references upon request.