Concrete Contractor in Happy Valley, Oregon: Driveways, Patios & Flatwork

Quick Verdict

A good concrete contractor in Happy Valley handles driveways, patios, walkways, steps, retaining-wall footings, and slabs with proper sub-grade prep, correct slab thickness, and control joints cut on time. In Clackamas County the local twist is the hilly terrain on the slopes of Mount Scott — sloped lots, drainage that runs downhill toward your foundation, and clay soil that moves with the seasons. Cojo is CCB Licensed & Insured, has worked Oregon concrete since 2009, and serves Happy Valley and the east-metro corridor. This guide covers what we install, what drives the price on a hillside lot, and how to vet any crew before you sign.

What a Happy Valley Concrete Contractor Does

Concrete work in Happy Valley covers more than a driveway, and the hilly terrain adds a few jobs you see less of on flat ground:

• Driveways — often sloped, sometimes long, 4 inches for cars and 5 to 6 for trucks and RVs.
• Patios and walkways — backyard living space, frequently terraced on hillside lots.
• Steps and stairs — common where the grade changes between levels.
• Slabs and pads — shop floors, shed pads, and ADU foundations.
• Retaining-wall footings, curbing, and aprons — structure that holds a sloped lot together.

For the full range of what concrete covers, see our overview of concrete services in Oregon.

Happy Valley and Clackamas County Conditions

Happy Valley climbs the slopes of Mount Scott in the east metro, with newer subdivisions and Rock Creek running through, and the terrain drives how concrete should be built.

• Sloped lots. Many Happy Valley properties sit on grade. A driveway or patio on a slope needs careful forming, sometimes thicker edges, and a drainage plan so water does not run downhill into the house.
• Willamette Valley clay. The local clay swells with winter water and shrinks in summer, and that movement cracks slabs poured on poorly prepped sub-grade.
• Hillside drainage. Water moving across a sloped lot is the biggest local concern. A slab that blocks or concentrates runoff causes erosion and settling.
• Wet-season pours. Happy Valley gets heavy rain from late fall into spring. Concrete still pours in cool, damp weather but cures slower — see our guide on concrete cure time in wet weather.

Sub-Grade Prep on a Hillside Lot

Most concrete failures in this part of Clackamas County come from the base, runoff, and clay — not the concrete. On a sloped lot the prep is more demanding than on flat ground.

A solid Happy Valley flatwork job includes:

1. Strip and grade. Remove sod and soft soil and shape the grade so water sheds away from the house, not toward it.
2. Plan the drainage. On a slope, decide where runoff goes before the slab is formed.
3. Manage the clay. Compact the sub-grade and add compacted crushed rock for uniform support and drainage.
4. Form and reinforce. Set forms to grade and lay rebar or mesh — important on sloped pours that carry extra stress.
5. Cut control joints on time. Joints steer cracking into straight, hidden lines.

See our breakdown of concrete sub-grade prep for the full standard.

What Concrete Costs in Happy Valley

Pricing depends on the job, and slope adds to it. Sloped lots, long hillside driveways, and terraced patios cost more than the same square footage on flat ground, so any number is a planning range, not a quote.

Project	What drives the price
Plain driveway	Square footage, thickness, slope, tear-out
Patio / walkway	Finish, terracing, access, prep
Steps / stairs	Number of risers, forming
Stamped / decorative	Pattern, color, sealing

Industry Baseline Range: standard broom-finished flatwork in Oregon commonly runs in the range of $8 to $15 per square foot installed, with sloped lots, decorative work, and steps running higher per square foot+. 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. For driveway-specific numbers, see Happy Valley concrete driveway costs.

Current Market Reality

Cement, rebar, and trucking costs move with the broader market, and crews experienced with hillside work book early in the season. The lowest bid often skips drainage planning, base rock, or reinforcement — costs that show up as cracks, settling, or erosion within a couple of seasons on a slope. Compare scopes, not just bottom-line numbers.

How to Vet a Concrete Contractor in Happy Valley

Before you sign:

• Confirm the CCB license. Every legitimate Oregon contractor carries an active CCB license and insurance. Cojo is CCB Licensed & Insured.
• Ask about the drainage plan. On a sloped lot, the bid should say where water goes.
• Get the thickness and joint plan. Driveways should be at least 4 inches; control joints belong on the bid.
• Ask about sloped-lot experience. Hillside pours need careful forming and reinforcement.
• See local work. Ask for Happy Valley or east-metro jobs you can look at.

The Bottom Line

Concrete flatwork in Happy Valley lasts decades when the base is prepped for clay and slope, the drainage is planned, the slab is thick enough, the steel is in, and the joints are cut on time. The hillside terrain makes drainage and forming matter more here than on flat ground, so the contractor who walks the slope and explains the water plan is the one to hire. Cojo provides concrete services across Happy Valley and the east-metro corridor. Request a quote and we will walk your site before we pour.