Hiring a Cement Contractor? Here Are The Questions You Need to Ask!

Whether you’re a city planner looking to repair damage to the public sidewalks or you’re looking for ways to spruce up and protect your residential property, cement contractors are there to help. Like anything else, having substantial knowledge beforehand can help ensure all parties are happy with the task at hand and the results thereafter. Concrete services require investment and commitment, ergo, having peace of mind prior to is essential. The city of Vancouver is beautiful and in-demand, ensuring it’s in tip-top shape in both functionality and aesthetically can help preserve the landscape of the booming city.

When purchasing a new house, going to the doctor, or even ordering something new on a menu, it’s normal to ask a plethora of questions as you are investing both time and money in the process. Just like these instances, asking your cement contractor a few questions prior to can help ensure both parties understand the needs of one another. Here are a few questions to ask your cement contractor beforehand:

“Do you have a portfolio of your work I can see?”

As much as we want to instill trust in others right off the bat, when finances and time are involved, we want to make sure our needs are met. Similar to a resume, cement contractors have a portfolio of projects they have led or participated in. This will give you a good idea of the work they have done in the past and compare it to your task-at-hand. In the same realm, you can also ask their experience level. Are they just starting? Have they been in the business for over a decade? Albeit, the determining factor is the quality of work, many people are curious about the experience level.

Similar to asking for a portfolio, asking for references is just as important. The reception given based on work previously done is a telling sign as to whether or not to proceed with service.

“What permits (if any) do you need to obtain for the project?”

Cement contractors have a high-level knowledge of the permit process and understand what permits are necessary depending on the project. For example, resurfacing a sidewalk in the downtown may require permits from the city. It’s important that both parties understand the permit process and the permits required prior to completing the project to avoid discrepancies down the road and potential legal ramifications.

“Can you walk me through the process. What will you be using and what does the timeline look like?”

Similar to any process we go through that may be out of our full control, we want to know how it will be done and when it will be done. This will also give you a good indication as to whether or not the cement contractor can fulfill your needs within the allotted time frame.

It’s also important to note what products are being used for a variety of reasons. All products have a correlating maintenance guide, ergo, some require different post-process care than others. Should an issue arise at any time, knowing what products were utilized can help you better communicate with those aiding in the resolution process.

“Will you be handling this project or do you have a team to help you?”

Knowing who is working on the project at hand and how many people are not only important for knowing just how many people will be on site, but for liability purposes as well. Depending on the size of the job, cement contractors may have a team with them to aid in decreasing the timeframe of completion. There will typically be an individual managing the project and operations and it’s essential to note who this individual is as well as what role others play in the project.

“What safety measures will you be taking on the job?”

The duties of cement contractors involve a lot of labour and machinery, ergo, the risk of injury is higher than those who work in sedentary occupations. Most cement contractors have the necessary level of insurance needed should anything happen, however, it’s important to confirm this prior to the start of any work. If a worker does NOT have the necessary insurance, in the event of an injury on the job, the expenses could land on you.

Cement contractors also go through a high level of training prior to working on any projects. The training includes safe work practices which includes; guidelines on how to create a safe work environment, what do to in the event of an injury (either incurred from oneself or a fellow worker), who to report to following an injury, how to handle various equipment that could be grounds for injury, etc.

When it comes to hiring a cement contractor worker or workers, you want to ensure you find the best one/s for your project needs. Asking questions is a vital part of doing so and can determine if the project is a viable fit on both ends.

Looking to hire a cement contractor for your commercial or residential needs? Contact us today and get the answers YOU need!