Five Important Questions For Successful Concrete Flatwork Project
Whether you are considering a new Concrete driveway, sidewalk, patio or porch in One, or More, of Several Concrete Finish Options – This article will give you insight to vital questions that need to be answered BEFORE you embark upon your Concrete Flatwork Project.
Ready to learn more about your next concrete project? Here we go!
Roads, bridges, schools, house foundations, driveways, patios. On and on…
Do you realize how much concrete there is actually is nearly everywhere?
Crazy if you stop and think about it, right?
Concrete is a wonderful Construction Product if done correctly.
Careful consideration must be a part of the concrete process.
Your Concrete Contractor should ask and therefore know the answers to the following Five Questions regarding your next Concrete Flatwork Project.
- WHO is the Concrete Flatwork for?
Does the homeowner just want a solid surface or does aesthetics play a critical role in the project?
- WHAT is the Concrete Flatwork to be used for?
A walkway, driveway, foundation, patio, pole barn or garage floor, shed or hot tub pad?
- WHEN is the Concrete Flatwork to be poured?
In the heat of the summer, the uncertain spring weather, the cold of the winter, the falling leaves and temperature of the fall?
- WHERE is the Concrete Flatwork to the placed?
In the front of the home with easy access, around the rear of the home with zero equipment access, far removed from a road so the concrete has to be transferred long distances?
- WHY is the Concrete Flatwork being poured?
Is it form, function, necessity, new or replacement?
Once these questions are answered you should be well on your way towards a great concrete project.
Does the homeowner just want a solid surface or does aesthetics play a critical role in the project?
A walkway, driveway, foundation, patio, pole barn or garage floor, shed or hot tub pad?
In the heat of the summer, the uncertain spring weather, the cold of the winter, the falling leaves and temperature of the fall?
In the front of the home with easy access, around the rear of the home with zero equipment access, far removed from a road so the concrete has to be transferred long distances?
Is it form, function, necessity, new or replacement?
The answers to these questions are important because they are what makes your project unique.
These answers help determine the true costs of your project that covers all the bases.
The cost of your concrete project should be clearly stated up front and contain little to zero additional cost at the end of the project.
(If there happens to be additional costs they should not be a surprise as your contractor should have clearly stated early on that there may be some factors unforeseeable.)
You can call a handful of Concrete Contractors in your area and they may provide you a price right over the phone. (if they pick up the phone or call you back)
That may work for them but that does not work in my eyes nor should that work for you.
Over the phone Concrete Flatwork pricing is considered the ‘law of averages pricing’. Some projects may be profit home runs and some most likely will be profit single base hits or worse yet, profit strikeouts
Now you may be thinking, “Heck yeah, I want to be in the profit strikeout category. What do I care if he makes any money?! I’ll get my concrete done for cheap and put the rest of the money in MY pocket!”
What do you think happens when a ‘law of averages pricing Concrete Contractor’ is in the middle of a slump? Worse yet, during that slump it happens to be your turn at bat?
Will there be corners cut? Will you have the proper amount of rock under your concrete? Even better, will your concrete be the proper thickness? How about respecting your property and the neighbors property?
Will encroachment onto your neighbors property from equipment or foot traffic cause an irreparable rift between you and your neighbor that you have to live with until one of you moves?
Will your home be protected from the demo and placement of the concrete?
Will your project be manned with the proper amount of people for the pour so your project will be finished well?
Will the proper amount of wire and rebar be used?
I can continue on but I imagine that you are understanding my intended point.
In my opinion, nobody can provide a proper Concrete Flatwork Estimate over the phone.
This is not widgets being sold or that you are buying.
While there are many similarities between concrete projects there is just as many, if not more different variables.
Variable which MUST be factored into your project to help ensure your Concrete Flatwork Project having wonderful results that you can use and enjoy for years to come.
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