Guide on Choosing the Right Decorative Contractor

Decorative concrete is definitely making a huge impact in the home improvement industry. Home and business owners alike are opting for concrete resurfacing and refinishing projects because it requires minimal time, effort, and budget to make concrete spaces look and function better than it did before.

It is amazing how vast the selection is for design, color, and material. The result, however, will be highly dependent on the decorative concrete contractor you hire. There are several news about homeowners getting scammed by people with pickup trucks pretending to be experienced or skilled in paving and flooring projects. You wouldn’t want to be one of them, for sure, so make sure that you check out this guide on choosing the right contractor for your decorative concrete project.

Rely on Referrals, Not Promotional Ads

A good contractor does not have to spend an exorbitant amount of money just to promote their services. Some let their work do the talking. Word of mouth is a more effective way to find a reliable contractor. Ask friends and family if they know someone really good. Ask to see the work they have done as well.

Check with the Better Business Bureau

It is easy to say that a contractor is BBB-certified. Call them or check their website for local listings. The great thing about their website is that it also includes reviews from previous clients and images of previous projects.

Verify Licenses and Certifications

Technology is great but it also paved a way for scammers to create fake licenses and certificates. Find out which local agency handles licensing and registration and call them to verify a contractor’s credentials or ask for a list of licensed contractors within the state. It may not completely confirm that they are the best choice but it helps to show that they are professional and dedicated enough to acquire a license, invest in registering their company, and acquiring necessary certifications.

Ask for a Written Quotation

Contractors give quotes for free so take advantage of this. Ask for one from at least three contractors so that you can compare. Here are things you should check:

• Details of the work they will be doing and the proposed budget
• Cleanliness or neatness of the quote. If it is sloppy, so will their work be,
• The proposed time frame for the project to complete
• Check the required down payment. Never settle for way more than 10%. Some scammers ask for a big initial payment, do little work, and never come back. 10% should be enough to secure an agreement between you both.

The Lowest Bid is Never the Best Bid

Be wary of contractors who give a super low bid, claiming that they have leftover materials from a previous job. Consider this a red flag. Choose a bid that details how much will spent on every aspect of the project. Just because it is low, does not mean it would yield high-quality results. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask about the Warranty

A reliable contractor should be able to provide a reasonable warranty. If something goes wrong within a given time period, their warranty should cover repairs for free. The longer the warranty, the more confident a contractor is about the effectiveness of their product and their work.

While talking or discussing with contractors, observe how they interact with you. Are they friendly and accommodation? Are they patient and willing to provide answers to your questions? The level of customer service they provide is also a huge factor that you should consider to ensure the success of your decorative concrete project.

Additional Resources:

• The Importance Of Licensed, Bonded and Insured Contractors by Conor MacEvilly
• Getting The Most Out Of Your Contractors by Kevin Vitali