10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Concrete Contractor in Texas

A concrete driveway, patio, or pool deck is a significant investment — one that should last 30+ years with proper installation. Unfortunately, the concrete industry has more than its share of unlicensed operators, low-quality work, and fly-by-night contractors. These 10 questions will help you separate the professionals from the problems before you sign anything.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured in Texas?

This is the non-negotiable starting point. Ask for:

• General liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence) — protects you if they damage your property
• Workers’ compensation insurance — protects you if a worker is injured on your property
• License numbers — verify with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Any hesitation, vague answers, or inability to provide certificates is a red flag. Walk away.

2. How Long Have You Been Operating in This Area?

Local experience matters more than you might think. A contractor who has been working in Kendall County and the Hill Country for years understands:

• Local soil conditions (expansive clay, caliche, limestone)
• How the summer heat affects the pour and finishing window
• HOA requirements in Fair Oaks Ranch and Boerne
• Local suppliers and which ready-mix plants produce quality concrete

Ask specifically about local experience, not just years in business generally.

3. Can You Provide Local References?

A reputable contractor should be able to provide 3–5 references from recent local projects similar to yours. When you call references, ask:

• Was the work done on schedule?
• Were there any unexpected costs beyond the original quote?
• How does it look a year or two later?
• Would you hire them again?

Bonus: Ask if they can show you a completed project in your neighborhood. Driving by a finished driveway or patio tells you more than any reference call.

4. What’s Your Sub-Base Preparation Process?

This question separates serious contractors from corner-cutters. The correct answer should include:

• Excavation depth (6–8 inches below finished grade)
• Sub-base material (crushed caliche, limestone base, or compacted gravel)
• Base thickness (minimum 4 inches)
• Compaction method (plate compactor)

In the Texas Hill Country, proper sub-base work is critical because of our expansive clay soils. A contractor who glosses over this or says “we just pour on what’s there” is going to give you cracking concrete within a few years.

5. What Concrete Specifications Do You Use?

Standard answers for residential work:

• PSI strength: 4,000 PSI minimum (not 3,000 PSI, which some contractors use to save money)
• Thickness: 4 inches for patios and standard driveways; 5 inches for heavy vehicle areas
• Fiber reinforcement: Should be added to the mix (polypropylene fiber helps control micro-cracking)
• Wire mesh or rebar: For driveways, 3/8-inch rebar on 18-inch grid is standard; mesh is acceptable for patios

If a contractor proposes 3,000 PSI concrete or 3.5-inch slabs, negotiate up or consider other bids.

6. How Do You Handle Control Joints?

Concrete cracks as it cures and with temperature changes — this is physics, not a defect. Control joints channel that cracking to planned locations. Ask:

• How are control joints placed? (Saw-cut or tooled)
• What’s the joint spacing? (Every 8–12 feet for driveways; every 10 feet for patios)
• How soon after the pour are saw-cut joints made?

A contractor who doesn’t have a clear answer about joint placement doesn’t understand basic concrete engineering.

7. What’s the Timeline, and What Could Delay It?

Get specifics:

• When can you start?
• How many days will the project take?
• What weather conditions would cause a delay?
• When can I walk on it? Drive on it?

In Texas summers, be realistic about scheduling. Pours are best done in the morning before temperatures peak. Ask how they handle hot-weather concrete work.

8. What’s Included in Your Price — and What’s Not?

Get a written, itemized proposal that clearly includes:

• Excavation and hauling
• Sub-base material and compaction
• Concrete (specify PSI and thickness)
• Finishing (specify surface texture)
• Initial sealer application
• Control joint cutting
• Cleanup and debris removal

Watch for exclusions: some contractors bid low by leaving out demolition of existing concrete, tree root removal, or sub-base material. These add up quickly.

9. Do You Use Subcontractors?

This isn’t necessarily a problem, but you should know. If they use subs:

• Are the subcontractors covered under the main contractor’s insurance?
• Who is your primary point of contact for questions and concerns?
• Does the main contractor supervise the work directly?

The best contractors have their own experienced crews. If work is being subcontracted to the lowest bidder, quality control can suffer.

10. What Warranty Do You Provide?

A reputable concrete contractor should offer a written warranty on their work. Typical warranties:

• Workmanship warranty: 1–2 years minimum
• Material warranty: Covered by the concrete supplier

Be clear about what the warranty covers: cracking due to poor installation vs. normal hairline cracking from curing. Any contractor who offers no warranty or only a verbal warranty is a concern.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No physical address (just a phone number or Google voice number)
• Requires full payment upfront before any work begins
• Offers a price dramatically lower than all other quotes
• Pressures you to sign immediately (“this price is only good today”)
• Can’t provide certificates of insurance on request
• Wants to be paid in cash only
• No written contract or uses a vague one-page document

Getting Multiple Quotes

For projects over $5,000, get at least 3 quotes. Significant price variation is normal — but understand what’s driving the differences. A low quote that excludes proper sub-base or uses inferior concrete is no bargain.

The right contractor for your project isn’t necessarily the cheapest. It’s the one who communicates clearly, backs their work in writing, and has a track record of quality work in your area.