Here are a few commonly asked questions and answers, over the years we have found them to become very helpful to our customers. If you do not find the answer to your question please give us a call. Q: I want to do a concrete project (ex: a patio, sidewalk, driveway or patio extension) about how much will it cost? A: Unfortunately, there is no set answer to this question, because each project has so many variables. However, if you are just trying to budget for the project, we always estimate the cost to be between $4.25 a square foot and $5.75 a square foot. Q: What makes the price vary from $4.25 to $5.75 a square foot? A: There are a number of things that can cause the cost of the project to vary. One of the things is the preparation of the area where the concrete will go (Is it grass, hard dirt, rock, soft dirt, landscape granite or old broken concrete). As you can see, in each case the amount of work to prepare for the new concrete can vary greatly, from just leveling the soft dirt to using a jackhammer to remove old concrete. The amount of labor and the type of equipment used or needed is a major factor. Q: What other factors can change the cost? A: Just like any other home improvement, we all have a different idea of what the finished project will look like. Some people may select a sidewalk with a curved design while others prefer a straighter look. Here in Arizona we also like to try to match up our new concrete with the existing landscape and colors. Q: I'm not exactly sure what I want but I have a few ideas, how can I be sure I am making the right choices for the project? A: As long as you have a pretty good idea what you want, a good contractor will be glad to make suggestions to help you decide what to order. Q: Is there anything to worry about when I want to put concrete in my yard, or do you just put the forms up and pour the concrete? A: There are a lot of things we do before we pour the concrete. We always bring along instruments to check the drainage of your property. We want to be sure that the concrete will drain water properly and not trap water somewhere in your yard. We also look for existing water lines that may go to your sprinkler system or electrical lines that may go to lights in your yard. Q: I don't have a sprinkler system now, but what if I want to put one in some time in the future. A: Many times we are asked to run some plastic pipes(PVC) under the concrete for a future water line or electric. Of course there is a minimal charge for any extras you may add. Q: How do I select a contractor to do the job? A: The first thing to remember is to protect yourself and the best way to do that is be sure the contractors that bid on you job are LICENSED, INSURED, and BONDED. Q: What does that mean, LICENSED, INSURED, AND BONDED? A: This means that the contractor you select has passed tests given by the state of Arizona to be sure he is knowledgeable and also has the experience the state requires. It also means that he carries Insurance such as Workmens Compensation in the event that someone got injured on the job that can be treated for that injury, and the Bond protects you so you are satisfied with the completed job. Q: What if I hire a contractor that isn't Licensed, Insured, or Bonded? A: This can be a dangerous risk on your part. In the event that one of his employees got injured on your property, you would be responsible for his injuries, and if they do a bad job or have poor workmanship you would probably not be happy with the job and their work may not be guaranteed. Q: What if I only have a small job to do. Will the contractor still give me a bid? A: Each contractor is different, and some concrete contractors are getting away from small jobs and some have stopped doing residential jobs altogether. Other contractors will still come to look at the job, but they do have a minimum price to do a job. Q: Do you have a minimum charge? A. Yes, for residential jobs there is a minimum charge of $700.00. Q. Why is the minimum charge so expensive? A: Unfortunately even a small job requires concrete finishers to stay on the job all day long, also when a job is under 5 yards of concrete, concrete companies charge $125.00 delivery charge this and other overhead items are responsible for the $700.00 minimum charge. Q: OK - I am ready to do my new patio, how can I contact you? A: You can always contact us by phone, and our number is at the top of our website, but we also have a page you can fill out right on the website that will send us an email. Look for the "Contact Us" section on the Homepage. Q: Do you do commercial jobs? A: Yes, we do both commercial and residential jobs, and we always like the opportunity to bid on both. Q: What services does Perfection Paving and Concrete perform? A: Up until now we mostly talked about concrete, however, we also do small paving jobs and asphalt repairs. We also do sealcoating and crackfilling for asphalt parking lots along with other related masonry such as block walls and stucco, and a variety of other work. COMMENT: We at Perfection Paving and Concrete hope that this may answer some of your questions, but remember we are always willing to talk to you in person and help you with you projects. Please feel free to give us a call or stop by our Contact Us page and we will arrange a meeting.