Before you rush out and hire a concrete contractor, there are a few things you’ll want to know. One important thing to consider is whether any excavation should be done as part of your overall project. What at first glance appears to be just a bench or large mound of dirt that needs to be removed can add considerable cost to a project, particularly if there is rock or a solid “hard pan” that needs to be removed.

If you have to do some digging, try to find a contractor that has the equipment, like bobcat, to do it and ask them to include it in the bid. Avoid “time and material” deals if possible, as they can escalate quickly if things go wrong. One thing you might want to familiarize yourself with is the many types of decorative concrete surface work that is now done before your job is done.

This is particularly true if you have any “flat work” such as a patio or walkways that you’ll be stuck looking at after the total job is complete. A very popular type of finished concrete surface is what is called “exposed aggregate” and leaves the finished surface covered with rounded rocks and is very pleasant to look at and walk on.

Ask any bidder to give you a couple of references that you can contact and drop by to see their work and if they won’t tell you where a sidewalk or driveway they’ve done is then you know you have a problem. This is because, the fact is, all of the reliable and competent concrete contractors have completed jobs in your community that you should be able to easily walk by and take a look at.