Avoiding Costly Mistakes When Hiring a Contractor

Before you hire a contractor for a project, it is important to understand that choosing the right contractor is crucial to the successful construction of any structure. Neglecting this part will not only lead to disastrous and costly mistakes but can also affect someone’s life—even your own.   

In 2021, the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida suffered a partial collapse, resulting in the tragic loss of 98 lives. According to the ongoing investigation, several contributing factors have been identified such as water damage and concrete deterioration, structural weaknesses, and design and construction flaws. Other possible contributing factors include land subsidence, inadequate reinforcing steel, and possible corruption during the construction process. However, as this remains an ongoing investigation, the NIST investigation (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is expected to offer more insight into these aspects when its final report is released in 2025.

Although they aren’t directly responsible, contractors have huge contributing factors in the failure, which also makes the contractor’s role in every project even more impactful. Due to these undesirable events, various contracting companies including professionals at Dallas Concrete Contractors became more eager to deliver top-notch services, ensuring that clients would get the best possible results. So, before you start hiring a contractor for your project, here are some essential tips on how to hire a concrete contractor with confidence and get the best value for your hard-earned money.

Do Background Checks

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when hiring their first contractor is they come across without looking deeper within or not going beyond the surface. Looking deeper at your contractor means checking their credentials, reputation in the industry, experience, and specialization. 

The credentials that need to be checked are their licensing, insurance, and bonding. Although these requirements can help a contractor to be considered a professional one, checking these papers and documents may still not be enough, as they do not guarantee a successful result. While most contractors can show their licenses, insurance, and bonding, these simply cover unforeseen problems—not guaranteeing a good reputation. Checking online reviews, and references, and exploring their past projects can give you evidence that they provide high-quality services. You can also consider word of mouth, some rumors, or hearsay, as they can help but do not base your decision solely on them.

Since you need to check their past projects, it is also best if you make the most out of them by knowing the whole story—evaluate their experience and specialization. Checking their past accomplishments can help you understand the type of work they have done, their style and quality if they already worked on a similar level of project to yours, and how recent or relevant their work is. But what it doesn’t always reveal is how long they’ve been doing it, their problem-solving skills, how they handle clients, deadlines, or changes, their professionalism, communication skills, and whether they did the work themselves or they just managed it. These matters are the ones you need to look for, which you can get an answer to by asking specific and situational questions—as mentioned, going beyond the surface. To learn more about the best qualities of a concrete contractor, click here. 

Make Sure You Know What’s in the Contract and the Plan 

It is mandatory to review contracts to avoid misunderstandings, disagreements, and being taken advantage of. Ensure a detailed project description that covers everything from the type of concrete to be used to any decorative elements and finishes. Also, payment terms—whether through cash or financing—should be clearly outlined; however, avoid paying the full amount upfront. Instead, arrange for payments to be made in stages based on completed work. Additionally, make sure that the contractor offers a warranty for the work to cover any defects or issues that may arise. 

Lastly, avoid contractors who seem vague about deadlines or the ones who promise overly quick turnarounds—it’s either that they will break their promise, or rush the process. In terms of the estimated timeline for completion, a reliable contractor provides you with a realistic completion date and keeps you updated on any changes as they understand that unexpected delays can happen. 

Ask about Post-Project Maintenance

In the issue of the Champlain Towers South condominium, they found out that major structural damage manifested in 2018 and started planning a 15-million-dollar repair project based on the report. Repairs were delayed due to several reasons such as disagreement with the cost, funding issues, turnover of board members, and waiting for permits and contractors. Because of the repeated postponement of repairs, the damage became exacerbated, which contributed heavily to its collapse. 

That is why asking them about post-project care is essential to somehow avoid this from happening. Some contractors offer maintenance plans or follow-up services to ensure your project can stay in top condition for years to come.

Don’t Forget These

Before you decide which contractor to choose for your project, keep in mind that if your instincts are telling you something, listen to them. If something feels off, whether it is a red flag in their communication, hesitance in answering questions, an offer that seems too good to be true, or you feel that they are hiding something, trust your gut and walk away. It is okay to be selective as contractors play a significant role in achieving the success of your project. It’s their job to make you feel comfortable and confident with them. 

Lastly, cutting corners on materials, rushing the process, and other dishonest practices where contractors gain something by taking advantage of clients happen behind clients’ backs. That’s why it’s important to always keep a keen eye out. Stay attentive and monitor their work regularly to make sure everything is done properly and according to plan. If you need reliable and professional concrete contractors today, reach out to Dallas Concrete Contractors right away. 

We are rooting for the success of your project—may everything run smoothly and turn out even better than planned!