How To Read A Quote From A Concrete Contractor

If you are about to break ground on a concrete pavement project, you will need to become familiar with how to read a quote from a concrete contractor. Every quote includes several important pieces of data that you will need to know before committing to the job. Be sure the quote includes the following information:

The company’s name, address and contact information
An itemized list of the project’s details, including a summary and scope of work
Project details like concrete specifications
Any project exclusions or assumptions
Payment terms and timeline
Warranty terms (if any)

Once you have an idea of how to interpret all of this, you will be able to spot an incomplete or unfairly calculated estimate.

What Should Every Quote from a Concrete Contractor Include?

Every contractor has their own set of forms, so you may encounter many approaches to formatting a quote. In general, concrete contractors will include the following on any estimate:

- The company’s name and contact information – Every estimate includes a header that should have the company’s vital details including their name, address and contact information. In Texas, concrete contractors do not need a license to perform work. In other parts of the country, you may see a license number listed with contact information.
- The project’s details and scope of work – Most of the estimate will be dedicated to the project’s scope details. A proper quote will itemize every service (site preparation, base installation, paving, etc.) and the materials involved. Pricing will be listed with each item for transparency unless it is lump sum in which case the estimate should state per design and the date of the design. The size of the project area (typically in square footage) will also be detailed in this section.
  
  Some contractors also include the exact concrete mix to be used in the project and reinforcement within the concrete.
- Any exclusions or assumptions associated with the project – Exclusions and assumptions are used by the contractor to define the project’s “boundaries.” Exclusions specify what is not included in the estimate (demolition, sealing, etc.) and assumptions (access to water, weather delays, etc.). Both are important for defining the project’s details.
- Payment terms and schedule – Concrete contractors also detail the payment terms for the project. This may include deposit details and final payment terms. Late payment details are also included here if there are any.
- Any warranty terms – Many reputable concrete contractors will include a warranty with their work, which will define the warranty period and any relevant terms.

Some concrete contractors also include a contingency allowance or buffer that provides a cushion against any unexpected expenses or delays.

How to Spot an Unusual or Unfair Quote from a Concrete Contractor

If you know how to read a quote from a concrete contractor, you will know how to spot one that appears incomplete or potentially deceptive. Here is how to verify that you are looking at a proper estimate:

- Secure multiple bids for your concrete project – It is a good idea to get multiple bids from concrete contractors, if only as a point of comparison. The more bids you have, the more information you will have to work with, and any unusually expensive (or cheap) quotes will be immediately noticeable.
- Confirm the company’s contact information – The first, simple step you can take to check the company is to follow up with the contact info included on the estimate. If the company’s contact information is not up to date, that is a red flag.
- Ask about any unclear project details – You should be able to read the project quote and know exactly what to expect, including the scope of the project, both timeline and cost-wise. If any of the details are vague (like missing material quantities), then follow up and verify that they are within expectations.
- Compare listed material quantities to your project’s needs – Concrete contractors specify the amount of material they will need to complete the job. This may include base materials, as well as materials for the pavement mix. If the amount of material quoted seems way out of line with what your project will require (in terms of square footage, cubic footage or weight), then this may be a sign that the contractor is driving up the price in a subtle, but deceptive way.
- Ensure all exclusions and assumptions are clearly defined – Exclusions and assumptions are where both parties need to be on the same page. Confirm both before signing on the dotted line to ensure everything you need (and nothing you do not) is included in the job.
- Ask if there is a contingency fund in place – It is normal for contractors to include a contingency cushion, but if it is larger than normal (10-20 percent of the total project cost), this may indicate that the contractor is uncertain about parts of the project. If so, follow up and ask why a large contingency is in place.
- Verify work order processes – Things come up during every pavement project and you may find that additional work is needed to complete the job. Before committing to the contractor, check with them to determine whether they accept additional work orders, and what the stipulations are on those. That way you will not be caught in a tough spot if more work needs to be done.
- Read the fine print – It is a good rule of thumb whenever you are reading a contract to check the fine print. This goes for concrete estimates as well, as there may be hidden fees lurking in the contract such as disposal or hauling fees.

You do not need to be an expert to read a quote from a concrete contractor, you just need to know what to expect and when something does not look quite right.

If You Can Read a Project Quote, You Will be Able to Choose the Right Concrete Contractor

Concrete pavement is a significant investment, so you will want to do your due diligence before shaking hands with any contractor. That research should involve a close review of their online reviews. By reviewing several quotes, you should be able to secure fair pricing and to eliminate any questionable concrete contractors from the mix.