How to Choose a Concrete Contractor
From concrete flooring to countertops to patios, concrete has so many uses in our homes and office spaces. Whether you are renovating, building, or adding an addition, selecting the best concrete contractor for your project is a key step.
Read more for suggestions on how to choose a concrete contractor.
Go Online
Before you begin looking for a concrete contractor, list all the details of your project. You want any contractor bidding on or creating plans for your project to have your wish list.
Then your second step in finding an experienced concrete contractor is to perform an online search. Look for concrete contractors near you. Jot down all the contractors within a reasonable radius of your project’s location.
Access the websites of the contractors on your list. Read any posted reviews. Eliminate from your list any contractors that you have concerns about.
Take this list and ask friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers for referrals.
Check Qualifications
Go back to the websites of your potential contractors. On their website, you want to gauge their level of experience. You want a contractor who has performed the type of work that you need completed. Additionally, you need a contractor who is solvent. Concrete contractors who will have access to the materials, tools, and trained workers will help ensure that your project will not only be started, but it will also be completed.
Detail the Scope of Your Project
Now, it is time to begin contacting each of the potential contractors. You want to assess their availability and interest in your project. Depending upon how busy a contractor is, the other projects that they have in queue, and the availability of all their resources, each contractor is not always interested in every job presented to them. When you meet with or talk to a contractor, be sure to provide details about your project. Then you need to ascertain their eagerness to complete your project.
Ask for References
As part of your discussion with potential contractors, ask for a list of other customers, especially any who had a project completed that is similar to yours. Many contractors will have a portfolio of completed work. This should include before, during, and after pictures. It is often worth the time to call any references that a contractor provides to you.
Confirm Insurance Coverage
Often, professional concrete contractors will list their insurance, local and/or state licenses, and other qualifications on their website. Make sure that their information is current and that their insurance coverage is up to date.
Compare Pricing and Timelines
Before making the final decision, you need to ask each contractor for a quote. Be sure that the quote includes a final payment that is due after the job is completed. You also want the materials noted on the quote. Clean-up and removal of materials and debris should also be detailed. If the project requires permits, the project bid should note that as well, and it should clearly state who is responsible for obtaining permits. Lastly, ask for an estimate of a start and end date.
Enjoy your new concrete!
