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If you are planning on repairing or relaying concrete around your Wellington property, it is essential to get the right contractor for the job. Concrete can be difficult to work with, and an expert touch is needed to prevent cracking and other issues. Choosing the perfect concrete layer may take a little time, but it will be worth it for a better finished product.
Make a plan before choosing a contractor
Before you look for a concrete layer, think carefully about what it is you want to achieve and where you would like the concrete laid. This will make it easier for the contractor to give you a well-informed quote and reduce the likelihood of the final bill being bigger than you anticipated.
Once you have decided what you want, ask the concreting company to visit you at home to discuss the details of the job and put together a quote. You might like to ask more than one tradie to give you a quote so you can compare prices. If you are comparing estimates, make sure you are looking at a similar scope of works and a similar standard of materials. Just because one quote seems more expensive, it doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t the best value.
As well as the size of the area to be laid, you will also need to think about what finish you would like. For example, you might keep it simple with exposed aggregate, or opt for a more interesting finish with stamped or cut concrete. If you are looking for a particular finish, you might want to find a contractor who specialises in that area.
Check out your concrete layer before committing
Before you make your final decision ask for references and whether you can see any other work the company has completed. In the case of driveways you may even just be able to drive past another house the firm has worked at to see the results.
Make sure you are happy with any contract before you sign and check the guarantees offered by the concrete layer in case of cracking or other problems after the work is complete.
Laying of concrete can be weather dependent, so you might need to be guided by your concrete layer as to when the job can start once you have agreed on a quote. Don’t forget to talk about how long the work will take and how you will be able to access your property while the workers are on site. You might also have to stay off the area for a period once the work is finished to allow the concrete to set. This is important if you are laying a driveway and might not be able to park or access your garage for several days.
Once work has started, keep in contact with your contractor to make sure no unforeseen problems have occurred and no delays are likely.
Deciding to get new concrete is a big commitment, so it is important to find the right contractor but, by following these simple tips your concreting work should flow smoothly.
Builderscrack has a fresh approach to finding great Concrete Layers. You tell us what you need done and we tell our trusted independent tradies about your job. In no time you've got great pros to choose from.
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