Concrete Contractor in Bend, Oregon: Driveways, Patios & Flatwork

Quick Verdict

A concrete contractor in Bend builds for a completely different climate than the Willamette Valley. Here in Deschutes County, east of the Cascades, the enemy is freeze-thaw: water that gets into concrete, freezes overnight, and pries the surface and joints apart over Bend's many cold cycles. Driveways, patios, and flatwork need air-entrained concrete, good drainage so water never sits, and protection during cold pours. Bend's high-desert soils — often sandy, volcanic, or cinder-based — drain better than valley clay but bring their own grading needs. The pour season is shorter and snow-bracketed. Scope your job by square footage, thickness, mix, and finish, and insist the bid addresses freeze-thaw.

Concrete Work in Bend, Deschutes County

Bend sits in the high desert of central Oregon, in Deschutes County along the Deschutes River and US-97, at elevation east of the Cascades. That setting changes everything about how concrete is built:

• Freeze-thaw cycling. Bend gets many freeze-thaw cycles a year, with cold nights and sunny days. Water that enters concrete and freezes expands and damages it. This is the dominant concern — far more than in the valley.
• Air-entrained concrete. Mixes here use entrained air bubbles that give freezing water room to expand without cracking the slab. It is standard for durable Bend concrete.
• High-desert soils. Sandy, volcanic, and cinder-rich soils generally drain better than Willamette clay, but grading and compaction still matter so slabs sit level and water moves away.
• Snow and a shorter season. Snow, plowing, and deicers stress concrete, and the cold shortens the practical pour window. Winter pours need real protection — see winter concrete protection.

For the full range of concrete work, start with our Oregon concrete services guide.

What a Concrete Contractor Does in Bend

A full-service contractor covers the whole flatwork range, built for the cold:

• Driveways — air-entrained, well-drained, reinforced for vehicle loads. See concrete driveways in Bend.
• Patios and walkways — broom, exposed-aggregate, or stamped concrete in Bend, all sealed for freeze-thaw.
• Steps, stoops, and ADA ramps — formed and finished to code.
• Slabs — shop, shed, and addition slabs.
• Curbing, aprons, and approaches.

What Drives Cost in Bend

Concrete is priced per square foot, with central-Oregon factors moving the number:

• Mix. Air-entrained, freeze-durable concrete is standard here and part of the spec.
• Demolition. Removing an old, frost-damaged slab adds tear-out, haul-off, and disposal.
• Thickness and reinforcement. Heavier driveways cost more than a thin walkway.
• Drainage. Keeping water from sitting is the best freeze-thaw defense; grading and drains earn their cost.
• Finish and sealer. Broom is baseline; decorative finishes and freeze-durable sealers cost more.

Industry Baseline Range: standard broom-finish flatwork in the Bend area typically runs in the range of $10 to $20 per square foot, with reinforced driveways, decorative finishes, and freeze-durable specs running higher+. These are industry baseline ranges for planning only — actual pricing depends on lot size, access, condition, and current market conditions. Get a site-specific quote.

Current Market Reality

Ready-mix and labor prices move with material and fuel costs, and Bend's strong growth keeps crews busy. The high-desert pour season is shorter than the valley's — cold and snow bracket it — so scheduling early matters even more here. Cutting corners on the mix or drainage to save money is a fast way to a frost-damaged slab.

How to Choose a Concrete Contractor in Bend

A short checklist tuned for central Oregon:

• Licensed and insured. Confirm Oregon CCB licensing and insurance. Cojo is CCB Licensed & Insured.
• Freeze-thaw spec. Ask about air-entrained mix and a freeze-durable sealer — these are not optional in Bend.
• Drainage plan. Ask how water is kept from sitting on or under the slab.
• Cold-weather plan. For shoulder-season pours, ask how the slab will be protected.
• Local experience. Work that has survived Bend winters tells you the most.

The Bottom Line

Hiring a concrete contractor in Bend comes down to freeze-thaw durability: air-entrained concrete, drainage that never lets water sit, and protection for cold pours, on Deschutes County's high-desert soils. Get a per-square-foot range, confirm the mix and sealer, and schedule into the shorter dry season. Cojo is CCB Licensed & Insured, serves Bend and statewide Oregon, and handles the full range of concrete services. To scope your driveway, patio, or flatwork, request a Bend quote.