Everything to Know About Hiring a Concrete Driveway Contractor
A solid foundation starts with knowing who to hire
Highlights
Research contractors for certifications, qualifications, quotes, and payment plans.
Know what you’re looking for in a concrete driveway.
Ask questions about the project to make sure the company ticks all the boxes.
Review the contract carefully before signing.
A concrete driveway is an excellent investment for your home. But if your driveway is cracked, past its prime, or you’re looking for a new build, you’re going to need to hire a contractor or two. However, there are a lot of concrete driveway contractors out there—how do you know which one is right for your project? We’ve got a few tips on how to hire a driveway contractor, so your concrete project goes off without a hitch.
Before Hiring a Concrete Driveway Contractor
Finding a concrete contractor who specializes in residential driveways takes effort. From checking out a contractor’s online presence to asking project-specific questions, you’ll want to vet a few contractors before deciding.
Follow these three steps to find the right person or concrete company:
Vet the contractors: Read reviews, view before and after photos, and look for years of experience and a star rating for each concrete contractor or company
Ask questions: Ask project-specific questions to gauge a pro’s experience level and communication level
Get quotes: Compare more than the price quoted—look at timeline, warranty, contract, and customer satisfaction guarantees
Services a Driveway Concrete Contractor Offers
The more your concrete contractor has to offer, the more you can save by having everything done at one time by one trusted professional. Here are some of the services your driveway company may offer.
Driveway Design
Whether you’ve moved onto partially developed land or want to expand or create a new driveway, pouring concrete takes some planning. A concrete installation company can work with you to plan your new driveway so that it’s functional, useful, and beautiful.
Concrete Driveway Installation
After designing your new concrete driveway, your pro will work with a team of trained concrete professionals to install the driveway for you. They may also offer to remove old concrete, so if you need removal services, it’s a good idea to ask the company beforehand about hauling services.
Concrete Driveway Repairs
Professionals specialize in repairing concrete driveways to help you save on the cost of your project. When it comes to existing concrete driveways, a knowledgeable professional onsite knows when to patch, resurface, or replace a damaged driveway. If most of your driveway is in good condition, a pro can go in and patch cracks or damaged sections—all while preserving the other parts of the driveway.
Driveway Resurfacing
If you have an old driveway that has over 25% mild to moderate damage, then your concrete contractor may offer to resurface your concrete driveway. Driveway resurfacing keeps your existing driveway intact. Your pro will remove debris, fix the surface, and then pour a new layer of concrete over the old surface so that it looks as good as new.
Decorative Concrete Driveways
Not all driveways need repairing, replacing, or resurfacing. If you’re hoping to give your concrete driveway a facelift, or you want to go above and beyond with your new driveway’s curb appeal, working with a professional is the best way to go about having the decorative concrete driveway of your dreams. Decorative concrete costs more than regular concrete, but you’ll benefit from more color, texture, and style options.
Plan Your New Driveway Project for Accurate Quotes
Finding the right pro to install your new concrete driveway requires some planning on your part. First, know your needs. Before you look for a concrete driveway contractor, know two things: driveway square footage and what you want your project's result to look like.
Calculate the cost of a concrete driveway by using the square footage of your driveway. Then, consider reputable concrete driveway contractors in your area. Don't forget to consider which type of concrete you'd like, along with factoring in the cost of removing your old driveway.
Before you hire a contractor, get at least three bids and make sure to ask about cost breakdowns. For an even greater sense of peace of mind, double-check with suppliers that your contractor is not overcharging you for materials.
Check Your Concrete Contractor's Qualifications and References
Hiring a licensed concrete contractor is like hiring anyone for a job. You want to make sure they're qualified and have references to back their qualifications up.
Here's what to find out before hiring concrete driveway contractors:
Check Years of Experience
To make sure you hire the right contractor, see how long they've been in business before making a decision. Experienced companies will play an active role in your project and offer suggestions that’ll elevate your results, like adding concrete stamps.
Verify Their Insurance
It's important to know that many contractors aren't liable when accidents happen on the job. As such, you need to make sure your contractor has insurance coverage with enough coverage for damages in case of an accident. To help you decide, contact the insurance company directly and ask to verify coverage.
Check Out References
Seeking out contractor references can help you feel even more confident about your decision. Ask how the project went, how happy they were with the finished result, the level of professionalism and communication, and if they’d hire them again.
Questions to Ask Your Concrete Driveway Contractor
In most cases, concrete driveway contractors can offer you a ballpark quote over the phone.
However, their first step before beginning a project should be to examine your property and existing driveway.
While you're at it, you should determine if your prospective concrete contractor is a true professional by asking questions. Take note of their demeanor too. If the contractor is friendly and willing to answer your questions, this is a great sign. But if they rush you or friendliness is lacking, this could be a sign that they'll be that way on the job too.
Here are some questions to ask your potential driveway contractor or concrete company:
How many years of experience do you have?
Can I see a portfolio of past work?
Do you have liability insurance, and are you licensed?
How much will this project cost?
Is removal of the existing driveway included?
Which crew members do most of the work?
What are the steps to complete the driveway installation?
Will you provide cleanup services at the end of the project?
How long should the driveway last?
How long will this take, and what is the schedule?
What will you do in the event of unforeseen problems?
How long will I have to wait before parking on new concrete?
Do you have warranties or guarantees on issues like spalling?
Hiring Your Concrete Company
When selecting a contractor for your project, have all of your ducks in a row before work begins. Ensure you specify and agree on the money down to start, your budget plan, and any warranties. Pay close attention during every step of the process so you can document progress accurately before signing any contracts or agreements.
Get a Contract and Arrange Payments With Your Concrete Contractor
When you choose the concrete contractor, carefully review the contract before signing. Confirm the contract includes the following:
The brief and scope of the project, start to finish
Total project cost and a detailed breakdown
Homeowner and contractor responsibilities
Project timeline, milestones, and expected completion
Any penalties or credits for late or early completion
Any roadblocks that may stop work
Any circumstances you may withhold payment
Change orders from hindrances to the project
Warranties on the project along with materials
Breach of contract rights and remedies (for both parties)
Liability and damage limitations
Any other clauses for exceptions and circumstances
Keep Records of Your Concrete Project
Once everything is in writing and agreed upon, you and the company's owner should sign and date the contract. Also, keep a fully executed copy on hand.
When the job is underway, monitor the timeline to ensure the project is on schedule. Afterward, if you notice something from the contract wasn’t completed, like they didn't clean up as stated, communicate the issue to your contractor so they can hopefully remedy the situation.
After Your Contractor Team Has Finished
Once your concrete driveway contractor completes the job, check your list to make sure nothing is missing. Assuming you're satisfied, finalize all paperwork and pay for the job. You can also offer a reference or leave a review if things went well, and you’re happy with how your driveway turned out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average cost to repair a concrete driveway is between $830 and $2,800, but your costs depend on the extent of the damage. For instance, raising or leveling concrete costs $3 to $25 per square foot, while resurfacing your driveway may cost $3 to $5 per square foot. Meanwhile, small cracks may only cost between $0.10 and $0.15 per linear foot and can be DIYed with synthetic crack filler.
The average concrete driveway lasts between 25 and 50 years. Professionally installed concrete driveways that receive consistent maintenance will last the longest, while improperly installed concrete with little or no maintenance typically has a shorter life span. Stay on top of repairing small cracks to prevent them from developing into larger problems, and consider resealing your concrete driveway every two to ten years.