Concreter › Questions to ask a concreter before you hire
Questions to ask a concreter before you hire
Print this list, take it to each quote visit, and write down the answers. Good contractors are glad to answer. Vague answers tell you something too.
These questions follow the order the work happens. If you have not done so, read choosing a concreter first for how to write a brief and compare quotes.
About the business
- Who will actually do the work: your own team or subcontractors?
- Do you have public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Can I see or phone about a job at least a couple of years old?
- When can you start, and how long will it take?
Groundwork
- How deep will you dig, and where will the spoil go?
- What is the sub-base made of, how deep is it, and how is it compacted?
- What will you do if you find soft ground, tree roots or old drains?
- How will water drain? Will the surface slope away from the house and where will it go?
- Do I need permission for this surface? See front-garden paving rules.
The concrete
- What grade and thickness, and why? (Typical guidance: about C30 for drives, C25 for bases, C20 for paths; confirm for your job.) See ready-mix, volumetric or DIY.
- Is it ready-mix or mixed on site? Who supplies it?
- Will there be mesh or fibres? Where does the mesh sit in the slab?
- Do you add water on site to make it easier to work?
- Do you have enough people for the pour and finish, and a plan if the weather turns?
Joints, finish and curing
- Where will the joints go? Can you mark them on a plan?
- What finish will it have, and can I see a sample?
- How will you cure it, and for how long? See curing and cracking.
- When can I walk on it, drive on it and park a heavy vehicle on it?
- When should it be sealed, and with what?
Price and paperwork
- Does the price include VAT, skip hire, removing the old surface and disposing of waste?
- What is excluded? Edging, drainage, a dropped kerb, steps?
- How and when do you want payment? Is there a deposit, and what is it for?
- What happens if the price changes during the job? Will you tell me first and put it in writing?
After the job
- What guarantee do you give, in writing, and what does it cover?
- What counts as acceptable cracking, and what would you put right?
- What care does the concrete need in the first year?
Questions to ask yourself
- Did they turn up when they said they would?
- Did they look at the site properly, measure and ask about drainage?
- Could I explain in two sentences what they plan to do?
- Do I trust the answers about price and timing?
How to read the answers
You are not looking for the cheapest answer. You are looking for specific ones: depths in millimetres, a named grade, a joint plan and a curing plan. Answers like "we always do it this way" or "don't worry about that" suggest corners may be cut. Compare the price with ranges on our driveway cost page and ask why if it is far lower.
Write down the answers, add them to the written quote, and keep a copy. If a dispute arises, a quote that states depth, sub-base, grade and joints gives you something to point to.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important question to ask a concreter?
How deep they will dig and what sub-base they will use. That groundwork decides how long the slab lasts.
Should the quote be in writing?
Yes. It should state the specification, price, VAT, start date and what is excluded.
Can I ask to see previous work?
Yes, and jobs a couple of years old tell you more than new ones.