When hiring Concrete Company Jacksonville FL to do a commercial job on your property, several important factors are to consider. Whether you want a concrete company to lay a brand new asphalt sidewalk in front of your business, help build an attractive driveway for your store, or pour a new foundation for an industrial building or warehouse, locating the correct contractor is crucial successful project. When looking at different concrete companies, be sure to find a business that offers a fair price and has a good reputation. Ask friends and family who have worked with concrete companies about which they would recommend. Then, contact the various companies to discuss what services they offer, the cost of their work, and if they can provide you with references from past jobs they have completed.
Once you have a shortlist of concrete contractors to interview, ask them to provide you with a list of references. Ask each of these potential candidates to provide you with a letter of recommendation, as well as a couple of years of construction experience and a portfolio of recent jobs they have completed. Look particularly for experience in both light and heavy equipment, as this will be reflected in the type of concrete business you hire. A concrete company may have a general paving knowledge, but they won’t know how to lay the perfect stained concrete properly unless they have experience doing so. Make sure you are comfortable with all of the answers provided by your concrete business candidate, as if you don’t feel comfortable with them, it’s likely they aren’t either.
Once you have narrowed down your short list of potential concrete business candidates, schedule an initial meeting to go over the overall job scope, cost, and time frame. If you have any legal or financing questions, ask these questions before the visit, and make sure your potential contractor has the same understanding of these matters as you do. You should also ask for their opinion on how best to obtain your concrete business license, and what kind of financial documentation you will need. If they have their own plumbing or electrical expertise, share that information with your general needs for the overall job. Many concrete companies offer an excellent guarantee, but a lack of guarantees in this area should raise some concern.
Once you have met with a couple concrete contractors, either in person or via phone, evaluate them based on their qualifications and recommendations. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend right now, don’t worry; plenty of qualified candidates work in the construction industry without ever earning a single cent of compensation from it. It is important to remember that you want to employ a responsible construction professional with a positive attitude and proven track record. Ask potential candidates to supply you with a list of references, and ask those references to speak highly of the concrete company and its employees. Remember, good work speaks louder than a glowing sales contract.
When you meet with a prospective concrete company or concrete contractor, evaluate them based on the price that they charge for the total job. Determine how much the job will cost in total, including all project materials as well as the salary and benefits package. You should also ask for their concrete business license number, as well as the official certification seal from their local board of engineers. Ask for the names of three previous clients who are willing to attest to the quality of the concrete work that has been done by their employees. References are key when making a selection, so take the time to carefully shop around until you find someone who is qualified, honest, and affordable.
After you have reviewed a few potential contractors, ask if they are willing to provide a written proposal of exactly what will be accomplished by having the work performed. Ask if the prospective concrete business you are considering has an existing contractual worker who is willing and able to complete the project, as well as workers who are experienced and have completed similar concrete work previously. If there is an existing contractual worker, you may ask the company how many workers it has under contract. Many companies are happy to provide references, but it is wise to ask more than one.
When you select a contractor, make sure that the general contractor license that you are seeking is not already in effect. It is usually necessary to file a duplicate application, called a “request for an initial license,” before being able to take the contractor license exam. Most states require prospective concrete contractors to pass both a state test and a state exam before becoming licensed, but if your state does not require this, it may still be to your advantage to seek the services of a licensed professional concrete business to perform the concrete work that you want done. Some states, such as New Jersey, do not require a state license to sell or install concrete; however, most require bonding and inspections of the contractor’s work, which could make you eligible for more favorable rates and to avoid having to pay for the additional work.
As you can see, getting the concrete work that you want done is much easier than you might think. Many people mistakenly think that they must have a structural engineer on staff to assist them in making decisions about the type and quantity of concrete and other materials, but in most cases, you can just tell a concrete contractors about your needs and he will be able to give you a quote on the price. A qualified concrete company can not only save you money by doing concrete work in your home or business; they can also help you get more work done faster. If you have decided that concrete work is right for you, contact one of your local concrete contractors today.