I, like many other homeowners, am concerned about who to call when I have a home repair or remodel project. Most people just use the phone book or the Internet to find a contractor, but that’s like flipping a coin. You’re not going to get the best result from doing that. I have an old house, built in the 70’s, that until now didn’t need many repairs. Now I realize that my house is suddenly in need of a lot of repairs. From plumbing, electricity and now concrete.
My driveway has developed some very large cracks that I can no longer ignore. True, the cracks were noticed a few years ago. However, they seem to have grown more in the last year or so. It seems that my garden and flower bed don’t drain water very well. Every time the sprinklers go off, I notice a large puddle of water next to my driveway. The water is sapping the ground under the driveway, creating a soft foundation 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 puddle of water, and pour a new driveway.
The question is, how do I find a contractor who is trustworthy and reasonably priced? How much should a concrete driveway cost?
The only true and bound method of answering these questions is to ask someone you know who, in the last year or so, had a positive experience with a contractor. Even if your contractor doesn’t specialize in concrete, chances are they know a good, fair concrete guy. This, as most people know, is one of the best ways. But what if you don’t know anyone who can recommend a contractor?
Well that’s how I did it.
Instead of finding a concrete contractor in the phone book or on the Internet, I searched for concrete suppliers instead. 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 are extremely knowledgeable about concrete.
Many people look for a contractor and then ask them to tell them what they need to fix the problem or help with design options. Sales staff at supply companies will be happy to talk with you in the hope that you will purchase materials from them. They also know and have built many relationships with contractors who have accounts with them. Ask them for options for a new driveway, like 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 a stamp or color. Tell them you are educating yourself to make it easier once you find a good contractor.
At that point, you can ask them if they know of any good dependent 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 that has an account with the vendor. That way, you know the provider has already checked your credit and made the payment. Guys who pay cash or credit card are more likely to be night contractors.
Getting supply companies to help you choose any contractor is a good way to find one quickly.