If you need a concrete contractor, Fort Worth has plenty to offer. But it’s never smart to just hire the first one you speak with. Depending on your needs, a standard contractor might not be able to provide you with the services your project requires. Spending a little time getting to know your options will go a long way in helping you find a great concrete contractor who can assist you perfectly. Click here for more info about a concrete contractor.
But how can you discern if the contractor you are speaking with is good at his job or not? There are a few things you can check. Some of these can be done easily with a phone or a computer, while the others may require you actually talk to the contractor and a few of your combined contacts. These are guaranteed to help you gauge the capacity of your candidates and will make the job of choosing one easier in the long run.
Research
Hit the internet (or the yellow pages, or both) first, and come up with a list of potential candidates. If you live with or near family, you can ask them for referrals as well. Contractors have social media, websites, or both that can help them get in touch with potential clients easily. And referrals can also be a great option to go with since these are already first-hand accounts of contractors who’ve done a job well enough to get other people to hawk their business.
Contact your candidates
Give your options a call to discuss your project. This will help you get a feel for the concrete company. The way they handle your call, and what options they offer as a follow-up can tell you a lot about the contractor. Friendly contractors who are easy to get along with can indicate somebody who will be willing to work with you through potential issues throughout the project. Contractors who are uncommunicative in the initial process, on the other hand, might be tougher to work with.
Get more than one quote
But don’t go for the lowest bidder. Getting multiple quotes gives you a ballpark of how much your project will cost overall, and allow you to gauge your budget. You may be inclined to go with the lowest bidders, but watch out. Cheaper contractors might mean you are hiring a concrete contractor who is cutting corners. Whether this is by using sub-par material or by skimping on project insurance doesn’t matter, since this will still potentially put you in a difficult position later on.
Check their referrals
By this point, you should have narrowed down your options to a good few. Ask if you're shortlisted
for their references. After all, if they’re concrete contractors in Fort Worth, they should have a few previous clients who would be able to give you a first-hand report of their experience with your contractor. Note that even if you received referrals from your friends and families, it would be best to get a few other referrals from people who aren’t in your social circles.
Check their products and services
You may opt to do this step before checking their referrals. Find out what your shortlisted contractors have to offer. After all, you want to focus on contractors who are accomplished in working on similar projects to yours. This will ensure that you don’t waste time on contractors who might be unable to efficiently do the job you need them to accomplish.
Find out if they have the proper licenses
Texas requires concrete contractors to have a license to construct and repair some concrete structures, but not all of them. Find out if the contractor has the license required to accomplish your project since this means that the contractor is board-accredited and recognized as a bona fide concrete contractor in the state.
Find out if they have insurance
For that matter, check if they have contractor insurance. This will keep you from being liable for any workplace accidents or issues that may occur during the project proper. This doesn’t just keep you safe, however; it also shows you that your contractor candidate is willing to take responsibility for their work.
Get everything in writing
Write everything down. Contractors can easily miss something that you may have discussed during your initial meeting, and you might be in a pickle if you don’t have proof of your request in writing. This will protect both you and the contractor from future issues.
And if you need a reliable concrete contractor, Fort Worth is a great option to add to your list. They will be happy to give you a free estimate for your project so that you are able to gauge its potential cost. Give them a call today and find out what one of Fort Worth’s best has to offer.
