A concrete slab is hard to fix once it cures, so the hiring decision matters more than with most home projects. These are the questions to ask a concrete contractor before you sign anything. Some are about the work itself. Others are about paperwork, money and what happens if something goes wrong. Bring them to every estimate, ours included, and compare the answers side by side. Our process page shows how we handle each step.
You want a written, itemized scope, not a single number on a business card. It should list the area, the tear-out, the base prep, the finish, the extras and any exclusions. Our guide to a written scope of work shows what a complete one looks like.
The base decides how a slab handles Indiana clay and frost heave. Ask how deep they dig, what stone goes down and how it gets compacted. A vague answer here is a warning sign.
Every slab cracks somewhere. Control joints tell it where. A contractor should be able to sketch the joint layout and explain the spacing.
If there is existing concrete, ask who breaks it out, who hauls it away and whether that is in the price. Ask how the crew will protect your lawn, landscaping and the rest of the driveway when the truck arrives. Small details like these show how carefully a contractor plans.
Ask how the slab will be sloped and where downspouts will drain. Water sitting against a foundation or pooling on a patio is a design problem, and it is far easier to solve before the pour. Our guide to drainage and grading explains the basics.
Who applies for permits? Some projects need one, especially work near the street. Requirements vary by city and county, so the contractor should know whether yours does and handle the application. Read more in concrete permits in the Indianapolis metro.
Are you insured? It protects you if something goes wrong on your property. Ask, and don’t feel awkward about it.
What does your warranty cover, and what doesn’t it cover? A real warranty is written down. It should say how long it lasts and what it excludes. Damage from de-icing salt, for example, is usually on the owner, not the installer.
Ask when they pour and how weather changes the plan. Concrete is poured in the warmer months in Indiana, and rain or a cold snap can push a pour back a day or two. Then ask what you need to do afterward: when you can walk on it, when you can drive on it and how to treat it the first winter. Our guide to caring for new concrete gives the general timeline.
How much is due up front, and when is the rest due? Be careful with any contractor who wants the full amount before work starts. Ask which payment methods they take and whether they offer financing. Get the payment schedule in writing alongside the scope.
We’d rather you ask than wonder. Here is how Golden Paw answers the list above:
We are rarely the low bid, and we don’t pretend to be. What we offer is a clear explanation of every choice, the time to ask questions and no pressure to sign on the spot. Compare our answers with anyone else’s.
The best way to judge any contractor is to hear the answers in person. Golden Paw Concrete will walk your property, answer every question on this list and leave you with a written scope to compare. Call or text (317) 672-0966, or request a free estimate.
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