Feel concrete about who you hire
Concrete is a staple building material for any home. At some point, you’ll likely need to know how to hire a concrete contractor to help you with a home project like a driveway, patio, foundation, retaining wall, or another project. This guide will help you make sure you tick off the necessary boxes when hiring a concrete contractor.
The first step in hiring a concrete contractor is finding concrete companies near you. You can do this by asking neighbors who have had concrete projects done before or contacting contractors you’ve hired for other jobs and see if they have recommendations.
Before you commit to a masonry or concrete contractor, take the following steps to ensure you’re choosing the right one for your project.
In order to make sure you get the most accurate quote possible, you need to plan the project that you need a concrete contractor for ahead of time. Here are some things to consider before seeking out a quote:
How you’ll use the concrete and the load it will need to support
Amount of concrete needed
Whether or not any existing concrete needs to be removed
Concrete contractor licensing requirements vary by state, but most states mandate that contractors have a special license to work with concrete. This is especially true if your professional will be pouring a home foundation.
If your state requires that a concrete contractor be licensed, ensure you hire someone who is certified. You should ask for their credentials, including their license, educational background, and work experience, along with references to confirm their credibility. You may also consider reaching out to their past clients or visiting sites they have worked on to see their work for yourself.
Below are some important questions to ask a concrete contractor before hiring them to guide you toward the right individual:
What are your fees?
Are you licensed and insured?
How many years of experience do you have?
Is concrete removal included in the cost?
Is the concrete delivery cost included?
How long will this project take to complete?
Can I see a portfolio of your past work?
How long will the concrete last?
Do you have experience working on this type of concrete project?
Can you inform me on how to maintain the concrete afterwards?
What type of concrete do you recommend?
Are you available for ongoing concrete sealing and maintenance in the future?
Can you pull the required permits for my project?
When you feel set on a concrete contractor for your project, you want to make sure that everything is finalized and above board. These tips can help you confirm your choice of contractor and set you up for success.
It’s important to interview a few pros to get a feel for the best option. These interviews could indicate if hiring a concrete driveway contractor or another type of specialized contractor would make more sense. Plus, the more contractors you speak with, the better chance you have of finding the best fit for you.
Home projects—especially those that involve significant changes and materials like concrete—are no small feat. You’re about to spend a decent amount of money, and it’s important to make sure everything is up to code. By doing a background check on the concrete contractor you’re considering hiring, you can make sure their credentials are legitimate and up to date and hopefully negate any issues down the line.
Setting up a contract and formally arranging payments with your concrete contractor will help you stay out of legal and financial trouble if anything goes wrong. Here are some things you and your contractor should agree upon before finalizing the contract:
Project timeline and expected date of completion
Payment structure
Down payment amount
Final payoff date
The scope and details of the project
The responsibilities of the homeowner vs. the contractor
Circumstances that may withhold payment
Circumstances that may halt project progress
Warranties on the project or materials
Any penalties or credits for late or early completion
Having a contract drawn up will help indicate what records are necessary to keep as the project progresses. You should track things like the materials used, the time being spent on the project, and if the contractor is adhering to the set schedule. If anything is unsatisfactory, you can refer to your contract to take appropriate action.
If any red flags come up during your project, such as it taking longer than expected or not meeting quality expectations, refer to your contract to take the appropriate next steps. Depending on the language of your contract, if the job is not being done to your satisfaction, you might be able to back out with minimal or no penalty.
Hiring any contractor comes with risks, and that’s especially true when you’re looking for a professional who will be handling foundational material like concrete. You can mitigate those risks by asking your contractor for references before signing any contracts. Reach out to the references provided and consider asking the following questions:
When did the contractor complete your project?
Are you still satisfied with the overall quality?
Were there any issues during the process that the professional could have avoided?
Did the contractors respect your property?
Did the technicians adhere to the proposed timeline?
If you had to do the project over, would you still choose this contractor?
Concrete projects are somewhat dependent on the weather, as you shouldn’t pour concrete in the rain in most cases. Still, you should ask your contractor about the proposed timeline and schedule of work.
Ask about the total time they expect the project to take, as well as when they plan to have workers on your property. Make sure the time slots align with your schedule so that someone will be home while they’re working. You can also ask how far in advance the contractor will notify you that they will be on-site, which allows you to schedule better.
Finally, don’t just hire the first contractor who provides a reasonable quote. Every concrete contractor charges different prices for the same project, and some may include things like removing old concrete or delivery charges, while others might not. Make sure you get at least three quotes and compare them side-by-side to see which is the right fit for you and your budget.
Once the concrete contractor has completed the job and you have paid what you owe, you should ask for any care instructions to make sure you maintain the concrete as well as possible. Beyond that, if you’re happy with the work, you can leave them a review or offer to be a future reference for them.
Em Norton contributed to this piece.
