Tips for Hiring a Concrete Contractor for Your Driveway

Having the right tools for the job by having some knowledge about your project and questions will go along way when trying to find the right concrete contractor for your driveway. Before you start calling around for concrete quotes, you should have several questions in mind for each of the contractors that you speak with. You should also do some investigating into what it takes to install a new concrete driveway so you are aware of what they are talking about when it comes to pricing.

The more prepared you are with the knowledge and predetermined questions, the more confident you will be when talking about your project. As you go through your list of questions, be aware of their responses and compare how the contractors respond with the information they give you.  You should be able to get a good idea of how competent the contractor is about concrete. Some contractors will focus on other trades as well so make sure you’re confident in their concrete abilities.

After you have spoken to several candidates, start to narrow the playing field by eliminating some of your potential concrete contractors. You should have a good idea based on the first conversation that can handle the scope, is close to budget, and has the timeframe for starting and completing. Then you can make your final round of calls to help determine the best pick for your project.

Focus on the schedule early with them. Usually the better the concrete contractor is the busier they will be with their schedule. Another important question to ask besides just the start date is how long the project will take? This will help give you an idea about the overall labor they are quoting you for.  You will also need to factor in drying time for your driveway. Keep in mind that most projects will recommend not driving on it for at least one week. Make sure you have plans to access your home in the meantime during the duration of the project.

Did you ask about permitting?  This is an important clarification that needs to be addressed before the project starts. It should be addressed upfront with the contractor and can also be used as a great tool to gauge the experience of the contractor. Not having the local knowledge about permits could present a lack of experience, which should be factored into your decision.  You also need to account for the time it will take to get a permit. Some local counties might need to review your plans so make sure you have some time factored into the process.

Trying to get a new driveway project started can be exciting between the design, negotiating with the contractor and getting the preferred timeframe set up. In between all of this action, you will want to make sure you have a written contract. This is one of the most crucial parts that need to happen before the project gets started. You will want to make sure you have a contract or an agreement in writing before the work begins. This is will help you and the concrete contractor have a clear view of the scope and you can refer back to it if questions arise during the project.