Does your Houston business need a new piece of pavement? If so, you will want a proven team for the job, and some tips for hiring a concrete contractor in Houston include:
- Determining your concrete project’s details
- Prioritizing experience, not cost, when comparing contractors
- Checking the concrete contractor’s project portfolio and references
- Asking the contractor the right questions
The difference between an expert concrete contractor and a poor one in Houston can be the difference of thousands of dollars and years off the end of your pavement’s life. High quality concrete lasts longer and performs better, so hiring a capable concrete contractor is paramount.
Determining the Concrete Project’s Details
A common mistake property owners make when hiring a contractor is not having the project details well defined beforehand. This can cause the project to stumble out of the gate or fail to meet expectations.
Some concrete companies are better specialized in certain areas, and if the project changes once it is underway, this could put the pavement team in an uncomfortable spot.
Before beginning a concrete contractor search in Houston, make sure your organization knows what it needs – at least where any pavement additions are going or where maintenance is required. If you are unsure how to proceed with your pavement’s current condition, consider bringing in a reputable contractor to provide an in-depth inspection and maintenance or repair recommendations.
If your company knows exactly what it needs, consider having those plans drawn up so the concrete contractor can provide an accurate estimate and timelines.
Prioritize Experience Over Cost When Hiring a Concrete Contractor
In Texas (and by extension, Houston) concrete contractors are not required to hold a license. Instead, pavement projects are regulated through permitting, and a permit is necessary for every job.
This means property owners cannot rely on licensing to determine who is a legitimate concrete contractor – and who is not. The best bet for organizations is to focus on experience when hiring a Houston concrete company. When contractors line up to provide an estimate for your project, there will likely be at least one that stands out for its low cost. It is tempting to take the cut-rate crew, but cheap concrete tends to fail early, and signs of distress emerge within days of the job’s completion – long enough for the pavement crew to disappear.
Experienced concrete contractors in Houston are typically more expensive, but they offer better materials, such as higher quality concrete mixes, better processes and better reliability. This added expertise will protect your project’s timeline and budget while ensuring you derive maximum value from the pavement.
Review the Concrete Contractor’s Project Portfolio and References
Perhaps the most important assessment factor is a Houston concrete contractor’s experience. This experience should be encapsulated in a project portfolio that you can easily access and review. A reputable concrete company will have no problem handing over a portfolio and references from previous clients. If they refuse, look elsewhere.
The contractor’s portfolio should include projects like your own and should be installed in the same general area or conditions as yours. Every region poses its own construction challenges, so local experience is important.
In Houston, for example, concrete contractors are constantly tested by the city’s clay-rich “gumbo” soils that tend to shift and collapse if they are not properly stabilized first – this includes the use of soil additives and adequate compaction.
If you can tour some of the company’s previous work in person, even better, but whether you get an opportunity to do so or not, always follow up with any customer contacts you have been given. Talk to those previous clients and inquire about the contractor’s professionalism, punctuality, quality of work and communication tendencies. Is the customer still pleased with the quality of their concrete? Have they been forced to spend additional money for unexpected maintenance due to poor workmanship? Is the property draining well?
The answers to these questions will prepare your company for what to expect with a potential concrete crew.
Ask the Concrete Contractor the Important Questions
If you are interested in a particular concrete contractor, and if their project portfolio looks good, then briefly interview the company to get a full picture of how they will handle your job. Some important questions include:
- How many projects will you oversee while working on mine?
The more projects your contractor is working on, the harder it may be for them to balance it all. Well-resourced companies can handle multiple projects simultaneously but beware of a Houston concrete contractor that does not know or does not seem organized with its scheduling.
- What precautions do you take to prevent excessive concrete damage?
Concrete cracks happen over time – there is no avoiding it. However, reputable concrete businesses in Houston know what factors into that damage and how to minimize those factors. The right concrete mix, proper curing techniques, adequate base preparation and compaction all ensure a long-lasting project and are concepts your contractor should mention when questioned.
- How will your team address drainage concerns?
Drainage is often the last thing property owners think about when installing concrete, but it must be considered. If your project will cover a significant area or involve new pavement, it will impact the property’s drainage patterns. Your concrete contractor will need to have a plan for proper drainage.
- Will you pull the permits?
Someone must acquire the project’s permits before concrete placement can begin. Without them, your organization is risking huge fines, work delays and an early termination to your project, potentially. Less reputable contractors in Houston will not prioritize permits, but an experienced company will, and will take charge in pulling them so their clients do not have to.
- Is your company insured?
Insurance – general liability especially – is a must before hiring a concrete contractor. Insurance protects your organization and your property from damage or injury claims. Request to see verification of insurance and do not hire a concrete company that dismisses its importance. Accidents do happen.
A Houston Concrete Contractor Must Be Chosen Carefully
Your final choice in a concrete contractor will determine how long your new pavement lasts, how it performs and how it looks. In other words, everything that is important about concrete.
If you pay attention to the company’s experience and project history, and if you ask the right questions, you can find a concrete contractor that checks all the boxes.
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