Walkways in your front yard are the first part of your home guests come in contact with. You can even install walkways in other areas of your yard. When properly done, they add beauty to your space.
There are many reasons why you need professionals for this job instead of doing it yourself. Most times, when folks carry out this task without proper training and knowledge, they end up making a mess. Sure, the whole thing might look great at first, but what happens when a temperature rise occurs? If you don’t know, the answer is crack and damage to the walkway.
States like Philadelphia are known to have extended heat wave spells. You can read this article to find out more about Philadelphia’s recent hot spell. If you live in Philadelphia when such a heat wave occurs, the heat usually causes the soil to contract. This contraction then pressurizes the concrete path you installed leading to cracks and damage.
Professional masonry contractors are well aware of this. As a result, they make allowances between the tiles to account for such contraction and pressure when the temperature rises. Now, you see how important it is to get these masons.
Sadly, not every so-called professional is professional enough to know about this issue (which is one of many when installing walkways). As a result, it can be difficult to get the right hands. To ensure you get the best, we’ve compiled this guide that will help you choose the best professional masonry contractor in Philadelphia or anywhere in the world.
Tips to Choose the Right Masonry Contractor
Not every mason out there is right for the job. You need to confirm that a professional can deliver before hiring them. The tips below will guide you:
Verify Their License and Insurance
Before you hire a contractor, ask them for their license to operate in that state. If they fail to produce it, then you must not have anything to do with them. On the other hand, if they provide you with one, ensure that you verify its authenticity.
You can do this by checking with your local licensing board. If they are indeed licensed by the state, their information will be readily available. Once you are sure of their licenses, ask them for their insurance coverage. This is crucial to protect you from certain issues.
The license ensures that you are not dealing with a masonry contractor just by name but one who has been approved by the state. The insurance, on the other hand, protects you from taking care of damages that might happen to the professionals or your building when they do your job. When such occurs and the company is well-covered, the insurance will pay for such damages. Therefore, do not hire a company that lacks insurance no matter how they might try to persuade you.
Request a Quote in Writing
When you contact a masonry contractor and tell them about the job you want to do, always request a written quotation before you hire them. Why do you need this? A written quotation enables you to see the contractor’s estimate for the job. It also allows you to determine if the price is fair. Mind you, you need to get quotes from at least three companies to enable you to ascertain what is fair in the industry.
If they refuse to provide the quote, then it might mean two things. One, they’ve not properly priced their services. Secondly, they aren’t experienced enough in providing such services to do so right off the bat.
A good masonry professional should know how much it costs for any of their services and provide a quote on demand. Visit www.bluestonemasonrypa.com/ to find out some of the services professional masonry contractors provide. If a company fails to provide a written quotation, not a verbal one, then you shouldn’t do business with them.
Check References and Reviews
Before you hire, check if there are folks in your neighborhood who have employed the company you’re considering. Ask them how well they did the job and if they have any complaints. Most folks will be willing to bare their hearts out regardless of their experience. If it was great, they would be glad to let you know, and if it was bad, they’d also make sure you’re aware.
You can take it a step further by asking them for pictures of the project. If they have photos before the project and after it was completed, that’s even better. Doing all this is to ensure that you select the right mason.
If you can’t find anyone who has used the company, you can check online for reviews. Ensure that you use third-party review sites instead of the company’s website. This way, you can be sure to a higher degree that the reviews aren’t doctored to make the company look good.
Confirm that they Have the Right Equipment
Although it is not your job, you need to still have an idea of the equipment the masons will use. A simple Google search and a few minutes of reading should give you a basic knowledge of the equipment these professionals use. Armed with that knowledge you can then go about querying the contractor.
Ask them what equipment they’ll be using for the project. You can even ask them to show you pictures to be sure. Their response will either encourage or discourage from hiring them.
Conclusion
Hiring the right contractor for any project can be a hassle. However, that shouldn’t be the case anymore for you thanks to the information we’ve shared in this article. Whatever the nature of the job (repair or installation), the tips we shared are sure to get you the right masonry contractor
