When it comes to finding a contractor for a concrete paving project, it’s essential to do your research, gather different quotes, and communicate efficiently. Once you find a handful of commercial paving companies that may work, you can begin to ask questions and look for their attention to detail or any red flags.
While most commercial pavers are professional and use high-quality materials, it’s a good use of time to follow the suggestions below to find a reliable commercial concrete contractor. This guide will give you some things to identify and get the best concrete paving contractor for your business needs.
Interview Several Contractors
When choosing a concrete paving partner for your commercial project, take the time to speak to at least three different commercial concrete pavers. Interviewing multiple contractors ensures that you select the best one for your project.
As with any contractor, ask your commercial concrete contractor as many project-related questions as you can. There are times that you may think you have found a great contractor, but their good reviews come from residential jobs. It’s crucial to find a candidate that is skilled in commercial paving and meets your requirements. While there are many questions you could ask a contractor, here are some to get going:
- Can you tell me about your experience?
- Are you insured and licensed?
- Where are testimonials that I can see?
- What do you think about my project?
Clarity and Experience
Sure, a concrete professional has a lot of industry experience and know-how that you do not. If they do not seem as knowledgeable or not as experienced in your type of project, go with a different contractor. Contractors with specific experience in your commercial concrete project will perform a higher quality job.
Another thing to notice as you are talking to contractors is if they translate their years of experience into plain language so that you can understand it better. As a business owner or Operations Manager, you likely do not have experience with concrete paving, so you need someone to explain things to you clearly and concisely.
Reputation and Reviews
Dependable contractors will not mind providing references. Ask to see references for similar projects. Understand that they may try to give you the best references they have, just as if you were in a job interview.
Most companies will have a portfolio of similar projects for you to look at, or they may have a commercial concrete project in the area that is similar to your request that you can drive by.
Cross-reference those with reviews that you might find online from Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Stay alert for any red flags. The Better Business Bureau or Angi are also sites to investigate potential contractors.
First-Rate Customer Service
One of the essential qualities of a commercial paving contractor is their level of professionalism and customer service. Are they able to address your questions in a timely and competent manner?
Letting the contractor know how you envision the project should be easy when they have good interpersonal skills and excellent customer service. It would not be worth your time or effort to work with a paving company that does not consider your needs before launching your project.
Additionally, a contractor who cares about customer service will make sure you understand everything that is going on at every point of your concrete paving project.
Industry Certifications and Memberships
Do the research and ask the company to see if they have any industry-specific certifications, memberships, or areas of specific areas of specialty. Suppose the paving company or contractors they employ have any of these. In that case, it demonstrates that the company is interested in learning the latest techniques, continuing their education in the industry to stand out against competitors.
Compare Estimates
Most commercial concrete contractors offer a complimentary on-site visit to provide an estimate. The companies you talk to should give you detailed quotes with an accurate idea of the materials they will use and the timeline of the project.
Make sure to compare the estimates so that you aren’t caught off guard by surprise or hidden charges. Also, look to see that everything that you need is included in the calculation.
Bear in mind that the cheapest bid isn’t always the best bid because it can mean cutting corners somewhere. You should also take into account the following points:
- Type of Materials Used
- Quality and Age of Equipment
- The difficulty of the project
- County Regulations
- If Current Surfaces Need Removal
- Environmental Elements
- Accessible Recycling Options
Get Everything in Writing
The paving contractor your company selects will provide you all the project specifications, deadlines, cost estimates, and labor and material warranties for your review. Ask for all of this project-related information in writing to document everything, and there is no room for doubt. When you have the timeline in writing, you will be able to follow the project plan.
It’s also important to ask about the concrete’s warranty and get any warranties that the company offers in writing before starting the project.
Beware of Fraud
Of course, sometimes, despite your best attempts, an unethical contractor can slip past your radar. What are some signs of a dishonest commercial concrete contractor to keep in mind?
- Unforeseen Problems That Arise
- Poor Quality Workmanship
- Contractors Without Valid Phone Numbers or Websites
The Best in Commercial Concrete Paving
When you look for concrete paving for your commercial project, you want the best customer service, quality, and attention to detail. Remember that the cheapest estimate isn’t necessarily the best, and take your time to research multiple options thoroughly.
Richfield Concrete has decades of experience in the Twin Cities area with commercial and residential projects. Whether it’s choosing a finish for your garage floor or detecting the common signs of sidewalk breakdown, we’re very proud of our experience and putting our customers first.