Dealing with concrete companies in Chicago can be quite a task. It is a competitive city that houses the third-largest number of concrete manufacturing plants in the nation, right behind New Orleans and Detroit. It also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation at 7%. To get the best concrete services you need to research well to ensure that you are hiring only the best.

First off, you have to make sure that your chosen company is certified by the Department of Commerce. There are some very specific guidelines that they follow to ensure that their plants adhere to certain codes and standards. One of the most stringent is the National Certification Board for Concrete. This board holds all contractors to a standard when it comes to building and finishing concrete. Only after passing this rigorous exam will a company be considered a “Certified Concrete Company.”

You should also ask if they are licensed with the Department of Natural Resources. If not then make sure they are licensed next. There are different laws in each state, so it is important to know what these laws are. For instance, if you are in the state of Arkansas, you will need to know what “stagnant water” is and what the minimum thickness is for concrete that has been poured. If you are in the state of Massachusetts, you need to know what the specific requirements are regarding concrete in your area. Many different laws surround the construction of concrete and you will want to know what your specific requirements are.

Ask about the warranties offered. Many concrete services will offer a limited warranty. This basically means that if something is damaged during the job you will be able to get them to pay for it. If the job is a success then you will be able to get satisfaction from the concrete services. Most companies offer some type of warranty. The question is whether or not it is reasonable and within reason.

Get specific information on what materials they use and if there is a warranty on them. Just because they say they use cement and high-quality products do not mean that everything they say is true. At least find out what kind of products they are using and how long it will last them. You do not want to waste your money or have a job that is going to last you only a few months.

Ask what their payment schedule is and if it includes any extra payments for added work. Some companies may charge extra if you have to hire a sealer. Others may charge you a little extra if they have to remove old concrete at the location of the job. Make sure you know what all of these extra costs are before you sign any contracts for concrete services in Chicago.

Find out what the rates will be for a particular job. Most companies charge based on square footage but you will want to find out what they will pay for as well. If you are paying by the hour or by the job then this will be a huge factor in your overall budget. To find out if Concrete Companies in Chicago have any special pricing or if they are just like every other company around.

Ask them what is the average time that it will take for them to complete your project. You want to get a concrete job completed fast so you do not have any late costs. Also, you do not want to wait too long for the concrete because you may end up with cracked or stained concrete. At the end of the day, you want your project to look perfect. You can accomplish this if you select a good company to give you professional results.