The Right Concrete Contractor
Finding the right concrete contractor can be a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of projects on your plate needing to get done. You always want to go with a professional because of all the benefits a professional contractor has like being licensed and having experience.
Finding anything from a concrete contractor to a hairstylist has to start with research. Start with a basic internet search and look for contractors in your area. Visit their websites and read reviews on their prior contracts and customers. After being online and narrowing some contractors down give them a call! Ask them about their licenses, insurance, prices, and so on and ask about availability. You can be open about timelines and expectations so you know in the hiring process that they understand what you expect.
It can be troubling to find someone you can trust for your concrete needs but family and friends can be a great source of knowledge. Ask around for recommendations and see who your friends and family have used for their concrete needs. Not only can they provide a personal experience with these contractors but these contractors will feel more obligated to provide quality work to keep good recommendations coming.
It is important when hiring a contractor to get everything in writing. Not only will this protect you but it protects them as well so everything stays fair. When discussing materials, colors, and prices it is important to put these things in writing so that you can have a guarantee of expectations. Drawing up a contract is important to payments, responsibilities, and work schedules so everything will run smoothly.
Before anything goes in writing don’t be afraid to shop around and compare prices. Don’t feel guilty or obligated to stick to just one contractor especially if it is the first one you come across. Call around for potential contractors and have an interview process and write down prices so later you can compare prices and pick what works best for your budget.
Whether it is a text, call, or email keep track of all your interactions. Take into account how many times you talk and for how long to see if you will be able to effectively communicate and to see how often they are available or what their call back times are. A good contractor should be open and willing to answer all questions you have about your projects and get back to you in a timely manner.
Getting references is an important part of finding the contractor that is perfect for you. With these references, you can ask questions about if the project was completed on time or what type of situations caused delays. You can ask about how much the final cost as compared to the original estimate. Don’t be afraid to ask about communication and how well the contractor was able to communicate in both good news and bad news situations. Call references from current projects as well as older projects so you can not only see how they perform currently but how their projects have held up over time and the progress they have made as a contractor.
Not only is it important for a contractor to have a reputable list of experience but to also be licensed and insured. Don’t be afraid to ask to see the appropriate licenses and insurance numbers to verify these items to keep the project safe and protected. Ask about previous projects and completion times to get a better grip on experience and verify with a license. For example, if they claim to have 20 years of experience but have only been licensed for 4 years, ask questions about the circumstances of their experience.