Are you planning a concrete project? Whether you’re a homeowner looking to put in a new concrete patio—or you’re a business owner looking to start a commercial project—you probably want to save time and money by hiring the right concrete contractor. Whether you hire Cascade Concrete or another concrete contractor, you shouldn’t go into a new concrete project blindly. That’s why we’ve prepared an important list of questions that you should ask any potential contractor. If the contractor answers negatively, it could be a red flag that they may not be the right fit for your project.
1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Depending on your state, the contractor may be legally obligated to be licensed. Washington State, for example, requires all construction contractors to register with L&I. This requires contractors to purchase:
- general liability insurance.
- a surety bond or assignment of savings.
If a contractor or concrete company is not licensed, bonded, and insured, you might want to consider finding someone else. Liability insurance and worker’s compensation are an essential part of any construction project, because they minimize your risk of paying for damages or injuries that may occur as a result of your concrete project.
Cascade Concrete is licensed, insured, and bonded. With our steadfast dedication to upholding safe work practices, you can rest easy with the peace of mind that you’re protected.
2. How much experience do you have with my kind of project?
Don’t be shy about asking about previous work if you’re interviewing a potential contractor. You wouldn’t ask a general dentist to perform a root canal on you if they’ve never done one before—there’s a specialized dentist for that. So, you probably wouldn’t hire a contractor to pour a concrete driveway for their first time. That’s why we suggest it’s better to hire a specialized concrete company to do your concrete work.
We have the years of experience necessary, the tools, and the know-how to do any type of work in concrete cutting and drilling.
3. Will you handle any necessary permitting for my concrete project?
Many projects don’t need a permit. From decorative concrete projects to parking lots, good contractors will tell you if your project needs a permit. Some contractors will handle the process and include it in the cost of the project. But if a contractor doesn’t handle the permit, it may be your responsibility to do so. Here’s a helpful article from Angi.com that explains what to do if a contractor doesn’t handle the permitting on a project.
At Cascade Concrete, we handle the cutting and drilling. While we don’t handle the permitting, we work tirelessly to ensure our cutting and drilling work is safe, high-quality, and meets your standards.
4. How long will my project take, and when can you start?
This question can be overlooked, but it’s still very important. An estimate should be accurate and detailed, and that includes the timeframe. If there is anything that could interrupt the schedule—like forecasted bad weather or known supply chain delays—then it should be included, as well.
Sometimes things happen out of our control — like inclement weather or unexpected supply chain delays — but we know you have a timeline, and we’re committed to finishing your project according to that deadline.
