With so many options in “cement cocktails,” where can you turn for the right recipe? Home contractors know best. These guys have sampled every concoction in a variety of settings.
Homeowners planning repairs, additions, remodeling or new construction can start from the ground up with good concrete footing—the right anchor for any home. Concrete also forms no-nonsense walls, curbing and basements. Decorative concrete provides the finishing touches to decks, walkways, countertops and interior flooring. Today’s concrete can be reinforced, paved, stamped and poured into limitless shapes.
With so many options in “cement cocktails,” where can you turn for the right recipe? Home contractors know best. These guys have sampled every concoction in a variety of settings. Turn to a general contractor for large or integrated jobs, and a specialty concrete contractor for design and installation of custom exteriors and interiors.
What You Need for the Job
Thanks to the growing demand, there are a lot of concrete contractors out there. Determine your concrete needs before picking up the yellow pages and the phone.
Footing needs can be big or small, from:
- Home foundations
- Basements
- In-ground swimming pools
- Retaining walls
to more refined jobs, such as:
- Decks
- Porches
- Railings
The contractor who does the concrete installation will start by pouring the footings, which may be reinforced as necessary.
Foundation contractors do the big home and garage jobs, including below-ground concrete footing. General contractors can tap their roster of trusted foundation pourers for new construction. This is critical, because laying a foundation requires knowledge of soil and water qualities, as well as the size of footings and the level of reinforcement needed. Many foundation contractors also pour concrete patios, continuous curbing and driveways.
Flatwork is the corner of the concrete world that has outgrown its name. Once the domain of utilitarian patios and driveways, the new colored and textured concrete has moved in. Poured, paved, stamped and washed, the decorative stuff turns flatwork into fine art. With acid stains and graphic stamps, all manner of flat surfaces can have the life of concrete with just about any custom look.
Choose a specialty concrete contractor for decorative flatwork, including:
- Driveways
- Patios
- Porches
- Pool decks
- Interior flooring
- Kitchen countertops
- Walkways
- Garden accents
Who to Call
If you suspect damage to your basement, foundation or an exposed footing, call a concrete foundation contractor that focuses on concrete repairs. An experienced contractor will be able to assess your foundation and prescribe the least painful solution. If this involves demolition, a concrete cutter may be called in. If a simple basement sealant will do the trick, a skin coat can be applied. Patio and driveway repairs may also be available.
To learn about the new options in colors and textures, call a concrete flatwork contractor. You may be able to … give an old patio new life with an overlay that looks like rustic natural stone … give your driveway a facelift to match your new car … design backyard footing that does justice to a special garden. From geometrics to meandering walkways, there’s no limit on shape or form anymore. If you can imagine it, concrete contractors can probably design it.
