The right concrete contractor in Arvada will be licensed and insured, put a detailed quote in writing, back the work with a written warranty, and explain exactly how they will prepare the ground under your slab. Here is a checklist for hiring one, the questions to ask, and the red flags to watch for, from Golden Concrete Company, which pours residential concrete in Arvada from our base just down the road in Golden.
1. Confirm licensing and insurance
Ask every contractor for proof of a business license and insurance before you sign. At a minimum you want general liability insurance, which covers damage to your property, and workers’ compensation, which covers the crew if someone is hurt on your job. Without workers’ comp, an injury on your property can become your problem. Golden Concrete Company holds standard business licenses in the cities we work in and carries both.
2. Get a detailed written quote
A one-line quote (“new driveway, $8,000”) makes it impossible to compare contractors. A good quote spells out:
- Square footage and slab thickness (residential concrete is typically 4 inches)
- The concrete mix (for example 4,000 PSI, or 4,500 PSI with micro fiber for driveways)
- Tear-out and haul-away of old concrete
- Base preparation: how much soil is removed and what gravel goes back in
- Reinforcement (steel or fiberglass rebar)
- Finish (broom, sand-finished or stamped) and sealing
- Control joints
- Who handles permits, if any are needed
For reference, our driveway replacements typically run $12.50 to $13.50 per square foot including tear-out, and new driveways $10.50 to $11.50. See the full breakdown in our driveway cost guide.
3. Ask how they will prepare the base
Most concrete failures start underneath the slab, not on top of it. Ask how the contractor will handle soft soil, what they will replace it with, and how they will compact it. A contractor who skips base work can quote low, but the savings disappear when the slab settles. On our jobs, most replacements need some soil removed and replaced with crushed gravel or recycled concrete, compacted well so the new slab moves as little as possible.
4. Get the warranty in writing
Ask what the warranty covers and for how long, and get it in writing. Our standard warranty covers shifting or cracking of the concrete for 12 months. Be cautious with any contractor who will not put a warranty on paper.
5. Understand the payment terms
A deposit to get on the schedule is normal. Be wary of anyone who asks for the full amount before the work starts. Our terms are 50% up front to get on the schedule and the final 50% once the job is done and you are happy with it, and we accept credit cards.
6. Ask about permits
Most residential driveways do not need a permit. A permit from the city is usually required when the work affects the public right-of-way, such as adding a new driveway entrance from the street or changing the shape or slope of the curb cut. A good contractor will tell you up front whether your project needs one and help you get it.
7. Check reviews and past work
Read recent Google reviews and ask to see photos of jobs similar to yours. You can browse our finished driveways, patios and stamped concrete in the project gallery.
What is different about concrete work in Arvada
Arvada ranges from mid-century neighborhoods around Olde Town to newer communities on the west side of the city. In the older neighborhoods, most projects are replacements of original driveways, walks and patios that have cracked, settled or flaked after decades of freeze-thaw. In newer neighborhoods, homeowners more often add on, with patio extensions, wider driveways and stamped concrete. Either way, ask your contractor how they will handle drainage and the base under the slab. Read more on our Arvada concrete contractor page.
Red flags
- No proof of insurance, or “we don’t need it for small jobs”
- A price far below everyone else, with no detail on base preparation
- Pressure to pay in full up front
- No written warranty
- No physical address or local phone number
Questions to ask before you sign
- Are you licensed and insured? Can I see proof?
- What thickness and mix will you pour?
- What base preparation is included?
- What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
- How much is the deposit, and when is the rest due?
- How far out are you scheduling?
- Do I need a permit, and will you help with it?
We are typically scheduling 3 to 4 weeks out from April through October and 1 to 2 weeks out in the off season. More answers are in our concrete FAQ.
Planning a project in Arvada? Visit our Arvada concrete contractor page, call (720) 636-8986, or request a free concrete quote and we will call you back to schedule a free concrete consultation.