Table of Contents
Introduction
Concrete is a popular construction material thanks to its durability, versatility, and ability to stand up against the elements. However, concrete can also be expensive. If you want your concrete work to last and leave you with a finished product of which you are proud, it is important to choose the right contractor for the job. There are several things that you should check when reviewing potential contractors:
Recommendations
Recommendations. Ask for recommendations from friends and family, and check them out. Do they seem to have a good reputation? Is their workmanship consistent with what you want? Also, if someone has worked for them before, ask about their experience working with that person or company.
How to make sure your concrete contractor will be able to provide the quality of work you want: Be sure your contractor is licensed by the state in which he or she is working, and check with the Better Business Bureau if there are any complaints against him or her. There are many ways to find a qualified concrete contractor—just remember that it takes time!
References
When checking references, it’s important to ask for contact information and the name of the person who provided the reference. You want to be able to call each reference and speak with them personally so you can get a feel for how they work with your contractor. You also want to find out if their home or business has been completed on time and within budget if there have been any problems with the finished product, and whether or not they would recommend your contractor again in the future.
In addition to phone calls, it’s also recommended that you visit some of these references in person so you can see firsthand what kind of work your contractor does for his clients. This will give you an idea as to whether or not he’ll do good work for yours too!
License
Verify that the contractor has a state license. Most states require that concrete contractors be licensed before they can legally work in their state. Check with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to find out if your state requires licensing, how long you have to wait for it and what exactly is required of you as a homeowner before applying for a license.
Insurance
Insurance is the first thing you’ll want to check. The importance of having adequate insurance coverage cannot be overstated. You need to make sure your contractor has adequate liability coverage, including workers’ comp and general liability. This can help protect you from physical injury or property damage caused by the contractor’s negligence, as well as unexpected events like weather damage or labor strikes that cause delays in completion of your project.
Work ethic
The last thing you want is to hire someone who has a history of being unreliable, unprofessional, or downright unethical. The best way to avoid this is by checking out what others are saying about them online. Ask around in your community and see if they have any recommendations for concrete contractors that they’ve worked with and can recommend. If other homeowners have had great experiences with them, then it’s likely that you will too!
Pricing and payment terms
Pricing and payment terms are the areas where you can expect to get the most value for your money. The pricing should be based on the type of job and its size, so it’s important that you check this out before you sign a contract—especially if you are working with a contractor who charges by the hour or per cubic yard (since these measurements may not be consistent across all contractors).
Payment terms should also be clear and easy to understand so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay up. If you are paying for your concrete work yourself, make sure that getting paid is not contingent on some other factor outside of what was discussed at the beginning—and if this is indeed true, ask why!
Conclusion
It is important to hire a reputable concrete contractor. For one thing, you want to make sure that your property looks good and is structurally sound. You also want to ensure that the job will be done in a timely manner and within budget. Most importantly though, you need someone who will respect you as a client and treat you with fairness when it comes time for pricing or payment terms
