Finding a concrete contractor is the most critical step when you want a concrete project done for your home. There are plenty of contractors who perform concrete services. Alas, not all contractors are created equal. To ensure that your project is done properly and in a reasonable time frame, you need to find a good contractor before you spend your hard-earned cash.

What Should You Know Before You Hire A Concrete Contractor

Before hiring a concrete company, doing online research will go a long way. A simple google search will give you a list of potential companies in your local area to contact and go over your project details with. Another way to find a concrete contractor is to ask for referrals from friends, family, and neighbors. You can also reach out to a local ready-mix company and ask them for a recommendation. It's important to have multiple options to compare and contrast concrete professionals to make a well-informed decision.

How Do You Know If a Contractor is Quality?

When you ask a contractor to come to your home to give you an estimate, it is important to properly qualify each of them. Here are a few basic guidelines to help you decide on a contractor.

Experience 

To find the most qualified contractor for your unique project, you need to find out who has the right experience. A good benchmark is someone who has been in the business for at least five years. Five years of experience often gives you a reliable level of reliability and expertise. Experienced contractors will communicate with you throughout the estimation process. They will present each step and provide insight into why they are running the project the way they are. They will easily be able to answer the questions you have clearly and concisely. 

Licensed and Insured

For residential construction projects, there's always a risk of people getting hurt and things going wrong on the job site. You want to ensure you are not responsible and that the company you're working with is licensed and insured. Always ask your contractor if they have their C8 concrete license and the appropriate insurance. The insurance policy they have should be enough to cover a potential accident on your home premises. A surefire way to confirm this is to contact the insurance company directly and ask them to verify the concrete company's policy details, coverages, and dates.

References

Lastly, you can ask the potential contractor for a list of references for their work. Ask questions about project types, length, and the contractor's reputation in the local community. This will be beneficial information for making your final decision.

Pricing

The prices of each bid you get from contractors are always important in the decision-making process. If the quote is significantly cheaper than others, deciding on the price alone is usually not the best long-term strategy for your home. Often, contractors with low prices are not experienced and provide low-quality work. This will create further costs and repairs down the line.

What Questions to Ask a Concrete Contractor?

To have the necessary information to make an informed decision, you must be prepared to ask the right questions. Here are a few examples. 

Will a Permit be Required?

If a contractor does not know the permitting laws in your area, he is probably inexperienced and not familiar with doing projects in your area.

What Protective Measures Do You Use?

Legitimate contractors will have protective measures in place for their subcontractors. Ensure they provide workers' compensation in case anyone is injured on your property. 

Could I See Some Pictures of Your Previous Work?

Most contractors will have pictures of their previous work. This allows you to see if their previous projects align with your vision for your home. 

Do you use contracts and guarantee your work in writing?

It is vital to have an agreement in writing if anything comes up throughout the project. If a contractor "does not do contracts," you do not give them your business. 

Your Local Concrete Contractor

Choosing the right concrete contractor for your project is essential to getting the most bang for your buck and saving you from issues down the line.