Are you planning to hire residential concrete contractors to work on your driveway or some similar project around the home? If so, you could be making a great choice, as there’s no denying the impressive results that can come from working with a skilled professional in this field.
However, it can also be daunting to try and hire the right contractor especially if you’ve never worked with them before and aren’t quite sure about what to expect. In this brief guide, I’m going to share a few helpful tips that will point you in the right direction, so let’s begin.
Tip 1 – Check all the available options
When you’re living in a bigger town or city, there should be plenty of concrete contractors to choose from, so there’s really no reason to settle with the very first company you find and like. In fact, it can be a good idea to interview many different candidates for the role and see which one fits the bill.
In particular, it’s also wise to ask to see their portfolio so you can see some genuine examples of their past work. Just as you’d expect, this information can go a long way towards helping you pick the contractor that’s perfect for you.
Tip 2 – Consider a home visit
One of the best ways to get an accurate and up to date quote is to have the concrete company actually visit your home, which is usually free (be sure to inquire first). If possible, it’s always smart to schedule one of these visits on a weekend, and many contractors will be happy to do this without charging any upfront fee like I mentioned earlier. One of the readers described his experience getting multiple quotes from local concrete contractors who mostly do patios and driveways in Indiana, and after following the tips mentioned here, he’s now a proud owner of a stamped concrete patio with a 3 year chip warranty.
However, it’s also wise to note that you may be sold a variety of upsells during these visits, and these can often be a good idea if it’s something you want. But in general, it’s important to ensure you know what you’re agreeing to before any of the work actually begins, as this can avoid any potential issues later on down the line.
Check out this video that goes over how concrete estimating works:
Tip 3 – Check permitting
In some cases, your concrete work may require some form of permit, so it’s wise to check on this with both the contractor and local authorities to make sure you’re both on the same page. If your chosen contractor is unaware of the details regarding this issue, then it could be a potential red flag, or simply a sign that they aren’t experienced enough in your area.
Ultimately, you could be taking a risk if you don’t consider the permitting implications of the work, and the responsibility will fall to you if something isn’t right later on.
Tip 4 – Ask for referrals
Perhaps one of the best possible ways to find a skilled concrete contractor is to ask your friends and family to refer you to anyone they know who has a good reputation. In fact, many of the best residential concrete contractors will get the majority of their work in this way, and there’s no denying that it can give you some added confidence to know that someone you trust has vouched for their work.
Overall, it’s easy to see that choosing an experienced professional is the wisest choice.