When you’re looking for a flooring contractor, it’s important to do your research and find someone who is qualified and experienced in the type of flooring you want. If you’re interested in sealed concrete or epoxy floors, for example, it’s important to find a contractor who specializes in those materials. A popular option for many homeowners and business owners today is polished concrete. Maryland renovators know that installing concrete floors comes with ample benefits–but how do you select the right person for the job?

Not all contractors are created equal, so it’s important to ask questions and make sure you choose someone who will do a quality, lasting job for your home or workspace. In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for in a flooring contractor so you can end up with beautiful, polished concrete!

There are so many benefits to polished concrete flooring that we’ve written extensively about their upsides. However, for those who remain unconvinced, let us cover some of the high notes for you.

Polished concrete is an affordable, durable, waterproof, allergen-proof flooring material that has the potential to conduct hot or cold temperatures in a controlled manner. If treated right, polished concrete floors can last a lifetime—and they likely will, as upkeep is incredibly minimal. Don’t like the color gray? No problem. Concrete flooring comes in all manner of different dyes, stains, and opportunities for visual embellishment that can take your floors from feeling drab to being the centerpiece of your home. Of course, the more complex your concrete flooring project is, the better your flooring contractor will have to be…and even if you’re just looking for regular polished concrete floors, there’s still plenty of room for things to go awry. That’s why it’s best to do a little research ahead of time before settling on the right flooring contractor for your space!

Concrete floors are beautiful when done right—and a huge pain to remove or resurface if done incorrectly. This is why it’s important to choose a flooring contractor that will help you create the polished concrete floors of your dreams! In the following section, we will break down the top five qualities your flooring contractor should have.

1.     Qualifications: It won’t do you much good to work with an unlicensed or uninsured contractor. Whether you’re renovating your home or business, the cost of flooring is a significant investment—but it’s not an area to cut corners. Ask your contractor about their license and insurance coverage; this ensures you are not only remaining on the right side of the law but that you are covered should an accident occur. In fact, most contractors include their license number on their business cards, so you can easily verify that their license is unexpired.

2.     Expertise: Does the flooring contractor in question specialize in a particular field, or are they more of a generalist? How many years of experience do they have working with your preferred material(s)? Is the flooring contractor of interest recommended by any corollary contractors, such as electricians or plumbers? If you are looking for a simpler flooring job, you may be able to get away with taking a risk on a contractor who’s just starting out—but for more advanced projects, you’ll want an expert.

3.     References and client reviews: Of course, sometimes you have to read public reviews with a grain of salt—but it’s always a good idea to ask your flooring contractor for references. Once you do this, follow up. Call their references and ask about the quality of their work, their turnover rate, their tidiness, and whatever else may come to mind. This can help build trust in your flooring contractor and make the process a lot less stressful for all parties.

4.     Transparency about the process: If you’re hiring a flooring contractor to come and service your home or business, chances are you aren’t a flooring contractor. This means that you are bound to have questions, ranging in everything from price to timeline. Ask yourself if your flooring contractor would be easy to work with, or if it’s challenging to get ahold of them if you have a question. Make note of those who take the time to have a conversation with you and honor the significant commitment you are both about to undergo. The more transparent they are about their practices, methods, and crew, the better.

5.     Professionalism: Do you want a flooring contractor who comes in, causes problems for other corollary contractors, damages your property, or has untrustworthy employees? Has your flooring contractor told you in advance about any potential for hazards with the project, or areas where the price might increase? It is one thing to physically complete a job, but it is another to do it without negatively impacting the people or property around the floor—so choose your contractor wisely! Finding a contractor with integrity will put your mind at ease and prep you for a much more positive experience.

There’s a lot to love about polished concrete floors—but the process is not quite as simple, nor as fast, as it might sound. In fact, there’s a lot that can go wrong in working with concrete. With such a durable flooring material that can withstand heavy foot traffic for a lifetime with very simple maintenance, the benefits often outweigh the risks of working with this material. However, being selective about your flooring contractor is one way to tip the scales so that you are more likely to end up with a floor you will cherish.

Looking for flooring contractors specializing in polished concrete Maryland? Contact The Concrete, Etc. today for a quote, or browse our gallery of previous work!