The quest to choose a concrete contractor is no simple task. You need to ensure that the contractor you hire is qualified, reliable, and trustworthy. It’s easy to hire the first concrete company that you come across in order to get the ball rolling on your project ASAP. However, without asking the right questions, you risk delayed completion time and surprise costs. To choose the right concrete contractor, here are a few tips to follow:
Check for Experience
Typically, contractors with at least five years of experience are the most reliable and trustworthy when it comes to quality work. With an experienced contractor, you can expect that they will readily provide you with educated suggestions and helpful answers to help you receive the best possible product.
Check to See if They’re Insured
If an accident occurs with your contractor, the last thing you want is to be held responsible for it. When you’re interviewing potential contractors, make sure to ask about their insurance policies. Check what they cover and how you and your property will be protected. The best contractors will tell you that they have general liability coverage. You can directly contact the insurance companies yourself to double-check the accuracy of this.
Check Their Prices Against Competitors
The first question you likely have for your contractor is probably about price. In this estimate, make sure to ask for the costs of:
- Down payment
- Reinforcement
- Sealer
- Base material
- Coloring
- Concrete thickness
After you receive the cost estimates, create a spreadsheet to match these prices up with other concrete companies. When weighing these costs, it’s also important to consider the quality of work you expect, the services involved, and the professionalism of the contractor that you spoke with.
Check Their Reputation and Portfolio
You check reviews before going to certain restaurants, so why not do the same when shopping for a concrete contractor? This decision will impact you for far longer than a meal. Checking out a concrete company’s online reviews and testimonials as well as their responses to negative reviews will help you know what to expect.
If you’re having trouble digging up any information online, ask around–someone in your circle will likely have recommendations for you. You can also ask the contractors in question to produce lists of references or portfolios of their previous work if need be.
At Port Aggregates, our professional and experienced sales staff are happy to answer any questions you may have. We’ll provide you with all the information necessary for you to make an informed decision when selecting the contractor that’s right for your project. Contact us today to request a quote for your commercial or residential concrete project!
