What Does a Concrete Contractor Do?
A concrete contractor is a professional who provides a range of construction services including preparing, pouring, and finishing concrete. They also work with a variety of other materials, such as asphalt and stone, to create unique designs. They may work for a concrete supply company or own their own business.
They specialize in a specific area of construction and can handle everything from building foundations to pouring floors and slabs. They often partner with architects and engineers to ensure that their concrete projects meet all necessary specifications and regulations.
Site Prep – Some commercial concrete contractors perform their own site prep, which includes excavation and backfilling. Rocks, shrubs, grass and other debris are completely removed to ensure that the ground is properly compacted, leveled, and graded. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the structure will stand up for many years to come under different weather conditions.
Formwork – Another job or responsibility of a concrete contractor is to prepare the forms that are needed for the concrete to be placed in. These can be plastic, metal, or wood based on the type of design or shape that will be made.
Afterwards, it is important that the concrete is screeded on top of the forms to make sure that the concrete is compact and even. This process also helps to chamfer the edges of the concrete, so that it is less likely to chip.
Licensing and Insurance – Before hiring a concrete contractor, it is imperative that you do your research to ensure that they are licensed and insured. This will give you peace of mind and protect you and your property in the event that something goes wrong on the job.
References and Reviews – It is also helpful to find a concrete contractor with a good reputation. You can do this by asking friends and family for recommendations or by checking online reviews about their work.
Insurance – Some states require concrete contractors to carry general liability insurance and auto liability insurance. This protects you in case of third-party injuries or damage caused by a concrete truck or vehicle that your company owns. Bundle these policies for cost savings in a business owner’s policy (BOP).
This will help you to minimize the risk of lawsuits or other legal issues. It can also help you to avoid costly restitution costs.
These types of policies will also cover you if you are sued for a claim of negligence or other wrongful conduct. This is a valuable protection to have for your concrete business, especially if you are working on commercial projects with a lot of traffic.
In addition to this, you will need an insurance policy that covers your business equipment. Usually, this is included in a BOP, but check with your insurance agent to be sure.
You can also consider hiring a professional project manager to oversee your concrete project. These professionals are able to create and adjust schedules for the entire team. This can help keep the entire project on track and on time, which is critical for a successful build.