Excavation & Base
Dug to proper depth with compacted aggregate base in lifts. In Northern Virginia clay this is not optional, it is the whole job.
Driveways, patios, walkways and slabs poured over a base that was actually prepared. In Virginia clay, the prep is the project.
When a driveway cracks or a patio settles unevenly, the concrete itself is rarely the reason. The reason is what happened underneath it: base material that was too thin, not compacted, or poured over Virginia clay that holds water and moves every time the ground freezes.
That is where we spend the time. Excavation to the right depth, proper aggregate base, compaction in lifts, reinforcement where the load requires it, and control joints cut at the correct spacing and timing so the slab cracks where we decided instead of where it wants to. It is unglamorous work and it is the entire difference between concrete that lasts twenty years and concrete you replace in six.
The parts nobody photographs are the parts that determine how long it lasts.
Dug to proper depth with compacted aggregate base in lifts. In Northern Virginia clay this is not optional, it is the whole job.
Accurate forming with rebar or mesh sized to the load, so a driveway that carries vehicles is built differently than a walkway that carries people.
Pitched to move water away from your foundation. Getting this wrong turns a new patio into a basement problem.
Broom, stamped, exposed aggregate or smooth troweled, with color options. We show you samples in daylight, not under warehouse lighting.
Proper cure time and sealing to resist Virginia freeze-thaw cycles and the road salt that comes with them.
Tear-out and haul-away of failed concrete, including the base repair that caused it to fail in the first place.
The same process on every project, whether it is a deck or an addition.
A free on-site consultation where we walk the space, take measurements, and listen to your goals, budget, and how you actually want to use it. No charge and no pressure.
You see the finished project rendered on photos of your actual property before anything is ordered, so you can change your mind while changing it is still free.
A line-item, fixed-price proposal with materials and labor together, so you know the real number before you commit to anything.
We prepare and submit every county permit and HOA package. Approval timelines are set by the county, not by us, and we tell you upfront what to expect for your project type.
The day the permit is approved, our own in-house crew starts. OSSA buys the materials, never subcontracted strangers, so quality stays under our control.
Quality inspection and the finish work that separates good from flawless, the details you notice from across the room.
A final walk-through we do together, backed by a 2-year craftsmanship warranty and 5+ year manufacturer warranties. We do not call it finished until you agree it is.



"We were very impressed with the deck work OSSA did for us. The materials were ordered and delivered quickly, the crew showed up on time, did a very good job, and completed it quickly."
"Your team is very professional, and they do outstanding work. I would highly recommend them for projects."
"Worked fast. Definitely took my needs into account and were very communicative throughout the project."
If something here does not match what another contractor told you, ask us why. We would rather explain it now than after you have signed something.
Ask Us DirectlyConcrete is priced by square footage, but the real variables are how much excavation the site needs, how much base has to be brought in, thickness and reinforcement for the expected load, and the finish you choose. Tear-out of an existing failed driveway adds to it. We measure on site and quote a fixed price in writing within 48 hours.
Almost always base preparation. Insufficient or uncompacted base under Northern Virginia clay lets water collect, and freeze-thaw cycles move the slab until it cracks. The other common causes are control joints that were cut too shallow, too late, or spaced too far apart, and reinforcement that was undersized for the load. All of these are preventable and all of them cost more to fix than to do right.
Plan on roughly a week before vehicle traffic, and longer in cold weather. You can usually walk on it much sooner. Concrete keeps gaining strength for weeks after it looks finished, and driving on it early is a good way to crack a slab you just paid for. We give you the specific schedule for your pour and the weather it cured in.
Stamped concrete usually costs less and gives you a continuous surface with no joints to weed. Pavers cost more but can be lifted and reset if something settles, and individual units can be replaced. For Virginia freeze-thaw, both work when the base is right. We will quote whichever fits, and the base prep matters more than the choice.
Flatwork like patios and walkways often does not require one, but driveway aprons that connect to a public street usually need approval from the county or VDOT, and structural slabs may. We check what applies to your address before we start rather than after.
Yes, and often we should. If water currently runs toward your house, pouring new concrete without correcting the grade locks the problem in permanently. We look at where water goes during the estimate and include the correction in the proposal if it is needed.
Concrete across Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties.
Tell us what you are planning. We will walk the space with you, design it in 3D, and put a fixed price in writing within 48 hours.