Services Offered by Concrete Companies
Concrete companies offer a variety of services for home improvement projects of all sizes. We outline these flagship services below.
Concrete Cleaning
Concrete cleaning helps remove dirt, grime, contaminants, and stains to improve aesthetic appeal. It can also prolong your surfaces' life span by preventing deterioration from trapped pollutants. Concrete cleaning done right takes the right equipment and skill to cleanly remove stains without compromising durability. Companies use a combination of chemical treatments, pressure washing, and scrubbing to renew the original sheen and color of the concrete.
Concrete Pouring
Proper pouring is essential for robust driveways and patios. Technicians must ensure that the concrete sets correctly and hardens evenly. Before they begin to pour, concrete technicians must find the optimal mix based on your job's size and Grand Rapids' weather conditions. Vibration and leveling techniques can help remove voids for a consistent surface.
Concrete Reinforcement
Reinforced concrete can better withstand heavy loads and environmental stressors. It's also at lower risk of cracking and deforming. The most common way to reinforce concrete is for your installer to add steel bars or meshes to the poured concrete.
Concrete Sealing
Concrete sealing safeguards surfaces from damage by moisture, chemicals, and weathering. Technicians apply a protective coating or sealant to the concrete, forming a barrier that prevents water intrusion. The coating also enhances the concrete's resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, UV radiation, and abrasion. Expert application is crucial to ensure even coverage and proper adhesion. Sealing doesn't just extend the life of the concrete. By boosting its structural integrity, it also reduces the need for expensive maintenance and protects its visual appeal for years to come.
Concrete Repair
Concrete companies have the expertise to assess deteriorating or damaged paths, driveways, and patios. This includes problems with eroding, cracking, and spalling. In Grand Rapids, some usual suspects for concrete problems are ordinary wear and tear, subpar initial construction, or environmental factors. Technicians can use patching, resurfacing, epoxy injections, or rebar replacement to return your concrete to its healthiest, safest state.
Choosing The Right Grand Rapids, MI Concrete Company
To select the right Grand Rapids concrete contractor, weigh the key elements that lead to a successful project. These include:
- Cost: Price shouldn't be your sole determining factor. Instead, try to find a team that strikes the right balance between price and good quality work. We suggest getting at least three different bids from different companies to compare.
- Licensing and insurance: Concrete companies in Grand Rapids need a residential maintenance & alteration contractor trade license from Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Each licensee will have taken the same pre-application coursework and passed the same exam.
- Portfolio: Evaluate a company’s years of experience in the industry and ask for a portfolio of completed projects. A long track record can signal experience successfully working with concrete.
- Reviews: Check customer reviews on sites like Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and try to find information on how the company communicates project status with customers and manages their timelines for jobs.
- Trade group membership: Trade groups offer certifications and accreditations showing that contractors follow professional standards and best practices. The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) are two of the most respected.
- Warranties: Ask each contractor about the warranties it offers for materials and labor. An extensive combined warranty can shows a contractor's commitment to high standards and confidence in its own workmanship.
Cost to Hire a Concrete Company
The cost of hiring a residential concrete contractor can differ significantly depending on a number of key factors, including the size and complexity of the project, the location, and the class of concrete used. Concrete per cubic yard typically costs about $125 nationwide, with most concrete contractors quoting prices between $110–$165 per cubic yard.*
A full truckload of concrete can cost about $1,025–$1,395 for larger residential projects, such as a driveway replacement. Labor costs for pouring concrete range from $8–$18 per square foot of the project. It's important to note these costs are for plain concrete. Custom concrete options such as stamping, staining, and special finishes will add to the concrete project’s cost. There may be extra fees for long-distance delivery.
*Cost figures sourced from 2022 reports from multiple sources, including Concrete Network and LawnStarter.