Do Concrete Contractors Need to Be Licensed? What About Bonded?

Pouring concrete is a big job you want done right, so you want to hire a pro with all the necessary skills and equipment. When choosing a concrete contractor, you'll want to ask a few questions, like are they licensed and bonded? But why do they even matter? Read on to learn how to hire the right contractor for your needs.

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Does a Concrete Contractor Need to Be Licensed?

Rules about contractor licensing vary by state. Check with your state's labor and industry department to see the requirements of where you live. In most states, local concrete companies need a special concrete license. In others, it's part of the general contractor's license.

While contractor licensing requirements vary by state, concrete contractors generally need to be at least 18 years old and have two to four years of experience working with concrete. They'll also need to pass a written test and show that their business is financially solvent, usually by putting money aside in a bond. We'll talk more about bonds later.

If your state licenses concrete contractors, hire someone licensed to do the job. That will ensure your local concrete driveway contractors have the training and experience necessary to lay the foundation of your home or install your concrete driveway and work around any environmental challenges. For example, concrete contractors have to think about drainage and how to make a sidewalk safe again when it's popped up from expanding tree roots.

Why Is Contractor Licensing Important?

The license gives you added protection that the job is done in accordance with state regulations and that the contractor is legitimate. A licensed contractor will have:

• Relevant experience 

• Passed an exam

• Experience pulling permits and working with building officials

• Deep knowledge about the regulations of the region

• Skills necessary to roll with challenges and customize solutions

Licensing also protects contractors. Some states can only put a lien on a homeowner's property if they're licensed.

Do Concrete Contractors Need to Be Bonded?

Bonding requirements also vary by state. Check with your state's labor and industry department to see what the requirements are where you live. It's good practice to ask if a contractor is bonded when interviewing them. It can give you additional peace of mind that the work will get done, and you have recourse if anything goes wrong.

What Is Bonding?

Bonding typically means the contractor has paid a premium to a surety company. This money is available to the customer if they file a claim against the company. The state controls the money in the bond, not the company. Ask the contractor for a bond number and certification, or contact the surety company directly to check the bond status.

Bonding protects the consumer in case a contractor fails to finish the job or doesn't pay for permits, subcontractors, or other financial obligations. Bonds also protect the homeowner if the service provider goes out of business. They can also cover damage as a result of a contractor's negligence.

Bonds can benefit contractors, too, because subcontractors and suppliers often prefer to work with bonded service providers.

When Is Bonding Important?

The bigger your project, the more important it is to use a bonded concrete contractor. If your job will take more than a week and requires a down payment far before the scheduled start date, be sure to ask about bonding. 

If you have a minor sidewalk repair or another project that'll be done in a day and doesn't require a down payment, you’ll be less at risk, and bonding will be less critical.