Before you run right out and hire a concrete contractor there are a few things that you will want to know. One important thing to take into consideration is whether or not any excavation has to be done as part of your overall project. What eppears at first glance to be just a bank or large mound of dirt that has to be removed can add considerable cost to a project, particularly if there is rock or solid “hard pan” that has to be removed.
If you have excavating that has to be done then try to find a contractor that has the equipment such as bobcat to do it and have him include it in with the bid. Avoid any “time and material” deals if at all possible as they can balloon up quickly if things go wrong. One thing that you might want to familiarize yourself with is the many types of decorative concrete surface work that is now being done before you have your job done.
This is particularly so if you are having any “flat work” such as a patio or walkways that you are going to be stuck looking at after the total job is completed. One very popular type of finished concrete surface is what is called “exposed aggregate” and it leaves the finished surface covered with rounded rocks and is very nice to look at and walk on.
Ask any bidders to give you a couple of references that you can contact and drive by to look at their work and if they won’t tell you where even a sidewalk or a driveway is that they have done is then you will know that you have a problem. This is because, the fact is that every reliable and competent concrete contractor has completed jobs throughout their community that you should easily be able to drive by and have a look at.
