How to Build 3/4-Circle Concrete Steps

Remove the grass in front of the door where you'll be building your steps. Dig down 6 inches and level the ground. Visually inspect the area to make sure there are no plants, roots or rocks there.

Add 4 inches of sand or gravel and rake smooth. Spray with a small amount of water and tamp it tightly to pack the ground, making sure it's level.

Build a box of 2-by-4 lumber for the bottom step. Make the box slightly larger than the widest portion of the 3/4-circle steps and slightly wider than the widest portion of your steps. Screw the lumber together to build the frame and set it in place. Add stakes made of scrap lumber to the outside of the box for extra stability.

Cut plywood into strips the height of your steps. Bend them until you create the full 3/4-circular shape. You may need to soak the plywood in water to achieve this bend. Place the circular frame inside the 2-by-4 box and add stakes that go from the box to the plywood to hold the plywood into position. Let all of the plywood dry overnight.

Screw 2-by-4 supports extending from each corner to the plywood. Make the supports the same height as the plywood to support the box frame.

Construct the box frame for the next smallest step. Position it on top of the supports for the step below. Insert your plywood circle and add your supports. Build all of your frames, coating the plywood as you go.

Pour the concrete inside the top step. Tap the outside of the plywood with the trowel handle to release air bubbles. Smooth and level the concrete on each step with a trowel. Lightly brush the surface of each step with a hand-held broom so the concrete isn't slippery.

Wet your concrete every day for 7 days. Run water on the steps from a garden hose for several minutes each day. After 7 days, allow your concrete to fully cure for 26 to 28 days before removing your frames.

Pull up your stakes and supports. Unscrew the 2-by-4s that create the box and remove them. Pry your plywood away from the concrete to reveal your finished steps.