How To Choose a Good Concrete Contractor
A building is only as solid as its foundation, which is just one good reason why a good contracting company is worth its weight in gold. No matter if you’re looking to pour a slab for new construction or replace existing cement, you’re much better off going with an experienced business instead of opting for the cheapest offer. With the market full of competing concrete parking lot contractors, it can be difficult to choose the right one. Here are some strategies you can use when selecting a construction partner for your next project.
Learn Each Company’s Experience Level
When choosing between local concrete contractors, experience matters. There are two good reasons why you should limit your search to companies that have worked in your community for at least five years. First, the more experience a contractor has in the industry, the better prepared its workers will be to handle any surprises that pop up during the job. Second, a longer track record in your area means there are more references and completed projects you can verify yourself.
Do Some Research
There’s a big difference between pouring a foundation for a home and doing decorative work, which is why it’s important to do your research on potential residential concrete contractors. If a business doesn’t have much experience with projects like yours, it’s best to move on to a company that can point to a portfolio of similar jobs. This is also when you should ask friends, family members or professional associates if they have recommendations for a contractor.
Check References
Any experienced residential, commercial or industrial concrete contractors will be able to provide you with a list of references, and you should contact a few as part of your due diligence. Make sure you ask questions about the project details, how well the company communicates during the job and whether or not the project came in on time and within budget.
While you can put some stock in the opinions of people given to you by the contractor, you should also take this information with a grain of salt. A business isn’t going to give you the phone numbers or email addresses of people who would give a bad report, which is why you should also check with the Better Business Bureau as well as independent review websites to get the whole story.
Trust Your Gut
When you sit down to meet with representatives from each company, take notes on how the interaction goes. Depending on the size of the job, you’re going to spend a lot of time interacting with the contracting staff. If anything about your conversation doesn’t feel right or the salesperson seems aloof or evasive of your questions, it sets a bad precedent for your relationship moving forward.
Get Multiple Quotes
Price should be a determining factor when you’re working with a budget, but don’t make your decision by the numbers alone. If you get enough quotes from contractors, you’ll start to see patterns emerge, which should allow you to throw out any outliers. Be especially wary of any company that quotes you a figure radically cheaper than any other offer. While lower costs could be a way for a contractor to put idle crews to work, more often than not it’s a sign of a business that cuts corners and uses substandard materials.
Make the Right Decision
While each of these strategies will help you decide between concrete parking lot contractors, experience is one of the biggest indicators of success. At G&G Concrete & Construction, we’ve worked in Michigan for more than 20 years, and we’re ready to bring our dedication to quality to your next project. To learn more about our services or request a quote, call our office today at 586-992-0964 or use our easy online contact form.
