Concrete is a widely used material in both residential and commercial properties in New York. In fact, it's estimated that the U.S. has used approximately 1,000 metric tons of concrete in the past decade. It's no surprise why concrete is so popular—it's a durable material that, when well-maintained, provides smooth and robust surfaces for years to come.
Businesses often utilize concrete for various purposes on their properties, such as parking lots, foundations, and loading docks. When you need to pave or repave one of these areas at your business, you'll need to collaborate with a commercial concrete contractor. Before you hire a contractor, it's crucial to seek answers to some key questions. Here's a checklist to get you started.
Licensed and Insured Sidewalk Repairer
This is the very first question you should ask before working with a commercial concrete contractor. If the answer to this question is no, don't even consider hiring that company. Here's why.
Every state has different licensing requirements for contractors. A company's licensure ensures that all employees have the necessary education, apprenticeships, and training for the work they do. Make sure all their licenses are up to date.
You also need to ensure that the contractor you're working with has liability insurance. This protects your business if there's damage to any existing structure during the course of the job. It will also cover any injuries incurred during construction.
What Guarantees and Warranties Come with Construction Work?
In general, the work your contractor does will look excellent the day they complete the project. What's important, however, is that the quality of the work holds up over time. The last thing you want is to discover that the job was done improperly when significant cracks start developing in the pavement.
To protect yourself against shoddy workmanship, be sure to inquire with the contractor about the types of guarantees and warranties they provide. A reputable company will offer a written warranty for their work.
Look for a company that will stand behind their work for at least twelve to twenty-four months. This way, if there is an issue with the work during that time frame, the contractor will be committed to fixing it.
Do You Have References from Other Customers?
The best way to assess the quality of a contractor's work is to speak with other businesses that have worked with that contractor. People who have firsthand experience with the contractor's work will often be honest about the quality they received.
Ask your contractor for a list of past and current customers who have had work similar to the project your business needs. It's important to speak with a business that used the concrete sidewalk repair Brooklyn contractor for a similar project, as this will provide better insight into their specific capabilities.
Bottom Line
When you have the opportunity to talk to a customer, ask them some specific questions. For example, inquire about whether the contractor adhered to the agreed-upon timeline and budget. This will help you determine if the contractor is reliable.
You should also ask the customer how easy it was to get in touch with the sidewalk repair Brooklyn contractor. The last thing you want is to hire a company with whom you can't communicate effectively with those who should be working for you.
