You are ready to upgrade your East Greenwich home with some new concrete. This might be a nice patio for those summer evenings. It could also be a sturdy driveway. That is a great plan. However, before you start, we should talk straight. Our team has been doing this work for a long time. We have seen firsthand the headaches and wasted money that come from common mistakes. These mistakes happen when folks plan or hire for a concrete project around East Greenwich. You do not want to be that homeowner who calls New Look Concrete & Masonry later. You will wish you had known better if you make these mistakes.
Ignoring the Ground Beneath Your Feet
This is probably the most important mistake. This is especially true in East Greenwich. We have all sorts of soil conditions in East Greenwich. These range from sandy spots near the bay as well as more clay-heavy areas further inland. You cannot just pour concrete on unprepared dirt. You also cannot expect it to last. Our team has seen beautiful new driveways crack and heave within a year. This happens because someone skipped the base preparation. New Look Concrete & Masonry always does proper base preparation for your concrete project in East Greenwich.
- No Proper Sub-base: Concrete needs a solid foundation. It also needs a well-drained foundation. If your concrete contractor is not talking about excavating, that is a red flag. Laying down a good layer of compacted gravel is important. This should be like #57 crushed stone. It should not just be any old fill. Making sure it is properly graded is also important. Without a proper sub-base, your concrete will settle unevenly. You will get cracks fast. New Look Concrete & Masonry always makes sure to prepare the sub-base for your East Greenwich concrete.
- Poor Drainage: We get our fair share of rain in Rhode Island. We also get a lot of snow. If water cannot drain away from under your concrete slab, it will freeze. It will also expand in winter. This pushes your concrete up. This causes major damage. We call that frost heave. You must make sure your concrete project includes proper grading. It also needs a plan for water runoff. New Look Concrete & Masonry always plans for proper drainage for your East Greenwich concrete.
Hiring the Cheapest Bid and Ignoring the Red Flags
We understand that everyone wants a good deal. However, when it comes to concrete work, the cheapest bid is often the most expensive bid in the long run. You must be smart about who you let work on your East Greenwich property. New Look Concrete & Masonry provides fair pricing for quality concrete work.
- Vague Estimates and No Contracts: If a concrete contractor gives you a verbal quote, you should walk away. If they give you a super-short estimate with no details, you should also walk away. A professional concrete contractor will provide a detailed, written estimate. This estimate will break down material costs as well as labor. It will also detail the scope of work. You must always get a written contract for your East Greenwich concrete project. New Look Concrete & Masonry always provides detailed written estimates and contracts.
- No Proof of Insurance or Licensing: This is not optional for concrete contractors. Any reputable concrete contractor will be licensed. They will also be insured. This includes us at New Look Concrete & Masonry. If they cannot show you proof, you are opening yourself up to huge liability. This is true if someone gets hurt. It is also true if something goes wrong on your East Greenwich property.
- Demanding Too Much Upfront: A reasonable deposit is normal for concrete work. This is usually 10-30%. However, if they are asking for half the money or more before they have even started, that is a major warning sign. If they ask for the whole thing in cash, that is also a major warning sign. It could mean they have cash flow problems. Worse, they could be planning to disappear. New Look Concrete & Masonry asks for a reasonable deposit for your concrete project in East Greenwich.
- No References or Portfolio: A good concrete contractor will be proud of their work. They will also be happy to show it off. You should ask for references. You should also look at their past concrete projects. Look at ones that are a few years old. This way you can see how they have held up. New Look Concrete & Masonry is happy to provide references and show our concrete portfolio in East Greenwich.
- Poor Communication: If they are hard to get a hold of for the estimate, imagine how it will be when they are actually on the job. Good communication from the start is key. This helps make a smooth concrete project. New Look Concrete & Masonry believes in clear communication for all concrete jobs in East Greenwich.
Skipping Important Concrete Details
Concrete is not just concrete. There are specific things that need to happen. This makes sure it lasts a long time. New Look Concrete & Masonry pays attention to all the important concrete details for your East Greenwich property.
- Wrong Mix for the Job: Not all concrete mixes are the same. You need the right strength for a driveway. You also need the right composition for a decorative patio. Using a generic mix can lead to premature cracking. It can also lead to surface damage. Using an incorrect mix can also cause these problems. New Look Concrete & Masonry uses the correct concrete mix for each specific job in East Greenwich.
- Ignoring Control Joints: Concrete expands with temperature changes. It also contracts with temperature changes. Without proper control joints, the concrete will crack wherever it wants. These are the lines you see cut into slabs. Without them, it will not look good. These joints guide where the cracks will form. This keeps them straight. It also keeps them mostly out of sight. New Look Concrete & Masonry always includes proper control joints in our East Greenwich concrete installations.
- Improper Curing: This is very important for concrete. Concrete does not just dry. It cures through a chemical process. If it dries too fast, it will be weaker. It will also be more prone to cracking. Your concrete contractor should have a plan for proper curing. This could be covering it. It could also be keeping it moist. Using a curing compound is another method. New Look Concrete & Masonry always makes sure your concrete is cured properly in East Greenwich.
- Walking or Driving Too Soon: We know you are excited about your new concrete. However, new concrete needs time. Walking on it too early can cause surface imperfections. Driving on it before it is fully cured will almost certainly lead to cracks. It will also lead to damage. You should listen to your concrete contractor's advice on cure times. New Look Concrete & Masonry will tell you the proper cure times for your East Greenwich concrete.
A concrete project is an investment in your East Greenwich home. Do not let a few common missteps turn it into a headache. You should do your homework. You should also ask the tough questions. Make sure you are working with someone who knows their stuff. They should also care about doing it right. Your East Greenwich home deserves quality concrete work that lasts. New Look Concrete & Masonry provides quality concrete work in East Greenwich.