How to find a concrete contractor
I, like many other homeowners, worry about who to call when I have a home repair or remodeling project. Most people only use the phone book or the internet to find a contractor, but that’s like flipping a coin. You will not get the best result from doing that. I have an old house, built in the 70’s, that until now did not need many repairs. Now I realize that my house is suddenly in need of a lot of repair. From plumbing, electricity and now concrete.
My driveway has developed some very large cracks that I can no longer ignore. It is true that the cracks were noticed a few years ago. However, they seem to have grown more or less in the last year. It seems that my garden and my flower bed do not drain water very well. Every time the sprinklers are turned off, I notice a large pool of water next to my driveway. The water is undermining the soil under the driveway, creating a smooth base under the concrete that is causing it to crack. Needless to say, I need a concrete contractor to break up the old driveway, install a drain to remove the pool of water, and pour a new driveway.
The question is, how do I find a contractor that is reliable and has reasonable prices? How much should a concrete driveway cost?
The only true method to answer these questions is to ask someone you know who, in the past year, had a positive experience with a contractor. Even if your contractor doesn’t specialize in concrete, they may and probably know a good and fair concrete man. This, as most people know, is one of the best ways. But what if you don’t know anyone who can recommend a contractor for you?
Well, this is how I did it.
Instead of finding a concrete contractor in the phone book or on the internet, I looked instead to concrete suppliers. These are the companies that sell materials and supplies to contractors. Many of these supply companies sell to the public. They also have employees who have worked in concrete or other parts of the construction industry or just selling concrete products and talking to concrete contractors, they have a great deal of knowledge about concrete.
Many people find a contractor and then ask him to tell them what they need to fix the problem or help with design options. Salespeople at supply companies will be happy to talk to you in the hope that you will purchase the supplies from them. They also know and have established many relationships with contractors who have accounts with them. Ask them for options for a new driveway, such as stamp designs and color options. What are the best color agents to use and which one should you stay away from? Ask them these kinds of questions even if you don’t want stamp or color. Tell them that you are educating yourself to make it easier once you find a good contractor.
At that point, you can ask if they know of any good, reliable contractors who have accounts with your company. If you choose a contractor recommended by the sales staff, it is important that you choose a contractor who has an account with the vendor. That way, you know that the vendor has already verified your credit and made the payment. Guys who pay with cash or credit cards are more likely to be night contractors.
Getting supply companies to help you choose any contractor is a good way to find one quickly.
