Concrete is one of the most versatile building materials and can be used for various purposes. There are several different types of concrete, including normal strength, reinforced, precast and high-density.
Choosing the right concrete contractor will depend on your project requirements. Finding a concrete professional with experience in your specific type of work is important.
Ready-mixed
Ready-mixed concrete is mixed to specific specifications at a central plant and transported to the construction site. The concrete is often partially mixed while in transit to prevent hardening and may need to be remixed upon arrival at the site. It is more commonly used for construction projects that are too large to batch at the job site.
A major advantage of ready-mixed concrete is that the mix design is controlled to a high standard at the batching plant. This allows specialty concrete mixtures to be designed for specific applications. This is often necessary for large projects, such as bridge supports, and it will enable the concrete to be delivered by truck in smaller quantities than traditional dry concrete.
When selecting concrete services, ask for pricing based on the concrete you need and how many days of lead time they require to get an order together. Also, make sure that your delivery route can accommodate the weight of a truck plus load, and that you can receive concrete at the time of day you want to place it.
Precast
Concrete is an extremely versatile building material. It can be cast in various shapes and sizes, making precast concrete a viable option for commercial and residential construction.
Typically, precast concrete is formed in a reusable mold at a concrete plant, transported to the job site and maneuvered into place. This method helps to eliminate obstacles on the job site and allows for faster installation, which is ideal in a construction industry where time is money.
When selecting a precast concrete supplier, look for one that offers a comprehensive service. They should provide a single-model solution that supports modeling all the structural elements and MEP services within the same digital environment. This enables a streamlined process, eliminating the need for multiple programs and potentially reducing errors.
Commercial
Using concrete in commercial construction projects requires higher strength and durability than residential use. This means the materials used must be rated for higher strength, have reinforcement and have finishes that will hold up to the heavy wear and tear of a busy office building or shopping mall.
Many concrete contractors offer a full range of services for commercial buildings. This includes repairing cracked or uneven sidewalks, laying driveways and roads and constructing concrete base structures for tanks, shed floors or bridges.
Depending on the size of the job, a concrete contractor may also be called upon to help prep a construction site, clearing rocks and weeds and compacting the soil before laying the foundations for a building. They may also offer landscaping work like laying lawn blocks, installing non-slip or faux natural stone surfaces or adding decorative concrete finishes for patios and walkways. Using concrete in these projects helps create the right impression for visitors or clients.
Residential
Residential concrete contractors can provide a wide variety of services to homeowners. Homeowners often attempt DIY concrete projects, but choosing a professional with the right specialized equipment and experience is important. Shoddy work can be expensive and unsafe; improper installation can cause cracking or surface damage. A good concrete contractor will also know how to go about hiring things like specialist concrete dumpsters to help with waste management during the project, and whether this is something that will be done for you or whether you’ll need to arrange for this yourself.
Concrete has many benefits in a personal environment, from withstanding wear and tear caused by heavy vehicles or furniture to standing up to extreme temperatures. It’s also easy to customize and design for unique aesthetics and can be shaped into different shapes and textures.
For residential flatwork, concrete contractors can pour and finish foundations, driveways, sidewalks, patios and more. They can even add color and decorative finishes for an added flair to your project.
