6 Key Questions To Ask A Commercial Concrete Contractor Before Hiring
Concrete is one of the most widely used materials for both residential and commercial properties in the United States. In fact, estimates indicate that the US has used about 1000 metric tons of concrete in the last decade.
It’s clear to see why concrete is so popular. It is a durable material that, when well-maintained, will provide smooth and sturdy surfaces for years to come.
Businesses can use concrete for a variety of purposes on their property, including parking lots, foundations, and loading docks. If you need to pave or repave one of these areas at your business, you’ll need to work with a commercial concrete contractor.
Before you hire a commercial concrete contractor, it’s important to get answers to some key questions. Here’s a list to get you started.
This is the very first question you need to ask before working with a commercial concrete contractor. If the answer to this question is no, do not even considering hiring that company. Here’s why.
Every state has different requirements for licensing for contractors. A company’s licensure ensures that all employees have the required education, apprenticeships, and training for the work that they do. Make sure that all of their licenses are up to date, as well.
You also want to make sure that the contractor you are working with has liability insurance. This protects your business if there is damage to any existing structure during the course of the job. It will also cover any injuries incurred during construction.
Finally, bonding is another form of insurance to protect the money your company puts toward the job. If the commercial concrete contractor does not complete the job or otherwise meet their financial obligations, you will be protected.
In most cases, the work your contractor does will look beautiful the day they finish the project. What’s important, however, is that the quality of the project holds up over time. The last thing you want is to discover that the job was done improperly when huge cracks start developing in the pavement.
To protect yourself against shoddy craftsmanship, make sure to inquire with the contractor about what kinds of guarantees and warranties they provide. A trustworthy company will provide a written warranty for their work.
Look for a company that will guarantee their work for at least twelve to twenty-four months. This way, if there is a problem with the work during that time frame, the contractor will be committed to fixing it.
The best way to find out the quality of a contractor’s work is to talk to other businesses who worked with that contractor. Folks who are living with the contractor’s work will often be honest about the quality that they received.
Ask your contractor for a list of past and present clients who have had work done similar to the project your business needs. It’s important to talk to a business that used the contractor for a similar project because this will give you better insight into their specific abilities.
Once you have the opportunity to talk to a client, ask them some specific questions. For instance, ask them whether the contractor abided by the agreed upon timeline and budget. This will help you determine whether the contractor is trustworthy.
You should also ask the client how easy it was to get in contact with the contractor. The last thing you want to do is to hire a company where you can’t get in touch with the folks who are supposed to be working for you.
It’s a good idea to talk to two or three clients for any contractor you are considering. This will give you a more diverse range of opinions. You should also go to visit the sites and take a look at the work to see it for yourself.
It’s important to schedule your project at a time that works for both you and your contractor. If the best contractor for your needs is scheduled for several projects in the next few weeks, you should consider delaying your project until their schedule is clear. It will be worth the wait to work with the right contractor.
Also, you should ask the contractor to put into writing what the estimated timetable will be for your project. This way, you will be able to keep everyone on the same page regarding expectations.
It is important to know who will be in charge of the project at your site. This way, you know who to get in contact with if there is a problem with one of the other workers, or if there is a question about the project.
You also want to find out whether the project manager is planning on taking any vacations during the proposed timetable for your project. If so, you should know who the alternate person is that you should contact.
To be compliant with local ordinances, it is important to get all the proper permits for any work being done on your business’s property. This is especially important if you ever plan to sell the property.
It is important for your contractor to be the one who gets the permit. This is because the person named on the permit is the individual who will be responsible for ensuring that all work performed is up to code.
This is your contractor’s responsibility, not yours. After all, most business owners are not familiar with all of the requirements associated with laying concrete. If the permit is in your name, you could be held liable if something is done improperly with the job.