How to Hire a Concrete Driveway Contractor

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.

Services a Concrete Driveway 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: A concrete driveway company can design a driveway that fits your property and design vision perfectly.

• Driveway installation: Your concrete driveway pro will prep the area, remove old concrete if needed, and install your new driveway.

• Concrete repairs: If your driveway needs to be patched, resurfaced, or replaced, a concrete driveway contractor can fix it.

• Driveway resurfacing: Resurfacing a concrete driveway can breathe new life into a driveway with some minor to moderate damage.

• Decorative concrete: If your design style runs beyond the basics, a concrete driveway pro can help you achieve the decorative concrete driveway finish you’re looking for.

Can You DIY a Concrete Driveway?

Unless you have experience pouring concrete, it’s best to leave this job to the pros. If you’re choosing between a gravel driveway and a concrete driveway, concrete is much less DIY-friendly due to the specialized equipment and techniques needed to complete the job. 

Your driveway will need to endure a lot of wear and tear and may need to meet local building codes, so a concrete driveway professional will know exactly how to prep the area and install the driveway so it can stand up to years of heavy use. 

Tips for Hiring a Concrete Driveway Contractor

Having a game plan in place can help you hire the right concrete driveway contractor. Before starting your driveway project, take the time to check qualifications and references, agree on a budget, hammer out any details of what the contract will and won’t cover, and discuss any potential warranties. 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 enough insurance coverage for damages in case of an accident. To help you decide, contact the insurance company directly and ask to verify coverage.

4. 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.

5. 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 under which 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

6. 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.

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?

Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Driveway Project

A concrete driveway can increase your home’s value, but it’s a big investment. Choosing the right concrete driveway contractor will help ensure the job is done right and your driveway will stand the test of time. The right local concrete driveway pro will help you get the most out of your budget and give you the peace of mind that your driveway looks great and functions well.

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.