Recommendations for Concrete Work??

[René]

Can anyone recommend a good contractor that installs concrete driveways? We live about 2 miles south of the Dallas county line in Ferris.

Any help appreciated!

[fran reisner]

My only recommendation is to get references for anyone you get bids from. I hired a guy to do my studio driveway and regret my choice. He seemed respectable and the bid was fair. When they came to pour though, the guys laid the wire mesh (not sure what this is called, but it's hold the concrete together) directly on the ground rather than raising it off the ground before they poured. They also used three completely different mixes of the aggregate during the job (resulting in three distinctly different colors/textures). AND, a few months after the job was done and paid for the concrete company came after me for payment of the concrete (which of course I'd already paid to the guy who did the job).

I may have a small foundation to pour soon, so I'll be watching for names. Good luck with your job.

[Dsheree]

My other life is the concrete business...even though I don't know anyone in your area there are things to watch out for.
*Don't take the lowest bid. Yes you want to save money but there is a reason they are the low bid...you might get bit in the butt.
*Hold back retainage. 10% of the balance due till the work is completely done. This will help insure they finnish the job and clean up.
*Find a concrete supplier (the ones that haul the concrete) and ask them for a recommdation. They will tell you who has been around for a while, does good work, and pays their bills.

[René]

Thanks for the info Fran and Dawn.

Fran the mesh you are talking about is called rebar and that totally stinks that they didn’t do things right. I hope that you didn’t have to pay for that concrete a second time!

Dawn thanks for the tip on calling a supplier, I hadn’t thought of that.

[dcnctx]

Jordan Concrete (940) 733-4004

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by Dsheree

My other life is the concrete business...even though I don't know anyone in your area there are things to watch out for.
*Don't take the lowest bid. Yes you want to save money but there is a reason they are the low bid...you might get bit in the butt.
*Hold back retainage. 10% of the balance due till the work is completely done. This will help insure they finnish the job and clean up.
*Find a concrete supplier (the ones that haul the concrete) and ask them for a recommdation. They will tell you who has been around for a while, does good work, and pays their bills.

6X6 #10 Wire Mesh, and Rebar, are two entirely different things and both are commonly used in flatwork, (Driveways, sidewalks,patios etc.) Some cities may be requiring rebar in flatwork now. rebar is usually suspended off of the sand on plastic 'chairs' but wire mesh is left laying on the sand until they start pouring the mix, then the contractor should lift it up by hand into the fresh mix. But...lifting it up is a bit of trouble when the mix is coming out of the chute and it often doesn't get lifted unless someone...like you...is watching!!!! Always BE THERE when concrete is poured. Concrete is one thing that is not fixable if done wrong when poured and cured.
Here is some advise!!! BE THERE WHEN IT IS POURED!!!! Even if you don't have a clue about what is happening...Those guys don't know you are clueless unless you tell them, so just keep your mouth shut and supervise. They are much more conscientious when the person writing the check is watching! Concrete is not fixable after it is cured!!!~
And like Dsheree said. Don't pay it all up front. I recommend that you Hold back at least 50% until the job is done. Really, If the contractor can't handle his end of the deal dollar-wise...you probably don't want to use him!!!!

[fran reisner]

I can say I didn't make the smartest choice (obviously), but I didn't take the lowest bid and the guy I hired did some work for some folks in my neighborhood that they were happy with, so I thought I was being smart. They used the 6x6 wire mesh and didn't bother pulling it up until I stopped the job and hashed it out with the guy. It sure as heck didn't make sense to me that it would do a whole lot of good laying underneath the concrete. So... at least part of the job was done right, but probably only the part I stood there and watched. I was smart enough to withhold part of the payment and told him when he finished the job right (there were several other problems) I'd happily pay the balance. He never came back. When the concrete company tried to collect from me I didn't pay them either. The way I looked at it, he got paid for the concrete, he just didn't get paid for all of his labor. I'd never had concrete poured before, so this was a learning experience for me. Heed the sound advice Paul and Dawn share above. One thing though Paul, there is a way to fix concrete after it's cured. It starts with a jackhammer and a dump truck.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by fran reisner

One thing though Paul, there is a way to fix concrete after it's cured. It starts with a jackhammer and a dump truck.

You got it Fran. That is the ONLY way!

[andyz]

Originally Posted by fran reisner

When the concrete company tried to collect from me I didn't pay them either.

I'm sure you'd know if it happened, but suppliers can place liens on your property when they don't get paid by the contractor. There may not be much done except to place the lien and wait for a sale of the property. The lien would have to be satisfied to transfer ownership.

More likely they went after the contractor, but... I'd keep this in the back of my mind, just in case.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by fran reisner

When the concrete company tried to collect from me I didn't pay them either. The way I looked at it, he got paid for the concrete, .

Be a bit cautious here Fran. If you have a lawyer, you might consult with him/her on this. The unpaid for concrete is on your property, and the concrete supplier could place a lien on that property that could make selling it a problem.

[Dsheree]

Ask for a release of lien from the rebar supplier and concrete supplier. That is a form that says they've been paid in full.

[René]

Fran that is just crazy and unfair!

Paul, my mistake, I thought all cement was done with rebar.

I really thought this would be a fairly simple process but boy was I wrong. I did as Dawn suggested and called my local concrete supplier for contacts, searched all the local and not so local Chamber of Commerce websites too and I spent a good part of yesterday on the phone calling contractors. I basically got nowhere when I asked if the company was insured and could provide references. I felt like I was getting the run around although one man told me I wouldn’t find anyone that carried insurance because there just isn’t enough money in his line of work to afford it. I sincerely hope that isn’t true for the sake of all involved in these type projects. I didn’t get a good feeling about anyone I talked to. All I want is a new driveway for crying out load. I don’t mind paying a reasonable price for a reputable insured contractor. PLEASE take my money, but do a good job and be financially covered if you destroy my home.

My Father used to be a commercial contractor and I was trying to get this done without running to him for help and trying not to put yet another project on my poor husband to have to get done by winter. But after reading yalls post this morning I'm really glad I broke down and called him last night to talk about this. As I anticipated he insisted that he and my husband are going to install the driveway. I’m grateful I have this option but would rather just hire someone and not burden by family. We are planning on having a new house built in a few years, maybe I should start researching contractors now.

[fran reisner]

Andy and Paul, FYI... no lien. They threatened that, but I explained the situation and convinced them that their battle was with the contractor. Thanks for the advice though.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

6X6 #10 Wire Mesh, and Rebar, are two entirely different things and both are commonly used in flatwork, (Driveways, sidewalks,patios etc.) Some cities may be requiring rebar in flatwork now. rebar is usually suspended off of the sand on plastic 'chairs' but wire mesh is left laying on the sand until they start pouring the mix, then the contractor should lift it up by hand into the fresh mix. But...lifting it up is a bit of trouble when the mix is coming out of the chute and it often doesn't get lifted unless someone...like you...is watching!!!! Always BE THERE when concrete is poured. Concrete is one thing that is not fixable if done wrong when poured and cured.
Here is some advise!!! BE THERE WHEN IT IS POURED!!!! Even if you don't have a clue about what is happening...Those guys don't know you are clueless unless you tell them, so just keep your mouth shut and supervise. They are much more conscientious when the person writing the check is watching! Concrete is not fixable after it is cured!!!~
And like Dsheree said. Don't pay it all up front. I recommend that you Hold back at least 50% until the job is done. Really, If the contractor can't handle his end of the deal dollar-wise...you probably don't want to use him!!!!

Zackly correct on all accounts... I know of a guy that told the concrete truck driver to go ahead and dump his load in the driveway and he would come out later and spread it out The big lump of concrete sat in his driveway for over a year He has a drinking problem... and was sitting in his favorite chair, watching TV, and refreshing himself... and he passed out I got that straight from the horses mouth...

[andyz]

Michael, that is funny. No driveway and no way to get to the garage.