Hiring a concrete contractor should not feel like an interrogation. Most people in this trade work hard and take pride in what they pour. But concrete is permanent in a way that paint is not. If something goes wrong below the surface, fixing it usually means tearing it out. A little homework before you sign is worth the time.
This checklist is the same one we would want a friend or family member to use, including when they are evaluating us.
Verify the state license
In New Mexico, contractor licensing is overseen by the Construction Industries Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. You can look up a contractor's license status through that agency. Check that the license is active, that the name on the license matches the business you are contracting with, and that the license type covers the kind of work being done. If you are unsure which classification applies to your project, ask the agency directly.
Ask for proof of insurance
Ask for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, and confirm whether the contractor carries workers' compensation coverage for their employees. Concrete work involves heavy equipment, trucks on your property, and physical labor. If someone is hurt or something is damaged, you want to know whose policy responds. It is reasonable to ask for the certificate to come directly from the insurance agent.
Clarify who pulls permits
Many projects, including foundations, structural work, some retaining walls, and driveway aprons in the right-of-way, require permits and inspections. Requirements vary between the City of Albuquerque, the City of Rio Rancho, Bernalillo County, Sandoval County, and the incorporated villages. Your contract should say who is responsible for obtaining permits and scheduling inspections. Be cautious if a contractor suggests skipping a permit that the jurisdiction requires, or asks you to pull it as an owner-builder when you do not intend to manage the work yourself.
Get a written scope that actually says something
A one-line bid that says only the square footage and a total does not tell you what you are buying. A useful written scope typically covers:
- Slab thickness, including any thickened edges or footings
- Reinforcement type, size, spacing, and how it is supported
- Excavation depth, base material, and compaction approach
- Concrete mix: specified strength, and air entrainment for exterior work
- Joint layout: control joints, isolation joints, and how they are cut or tooled
- Finish type and any sealer
- Curing method and who is responsible for it
- Drainage and grading around the new concrete
- Demolition and haul-off, and site cleanup
- What happens if unexpected conditions, such as soft soil or buried debris, are found
Having the scope in writing also makes it far easier to compare bids. Our guide to driveway cost factors shows how each of these items affects a number.
Expect geotechnical input for structural work
For foundation installation, structural concrete, and taller or load-bearing retaining walls, design typically starts with engineering and, often, a geotechnical report. A geotech report characterizes the soil, flags conditions such as collapsible soil or expansive clay, and makes recommendations for things like over-excavation, compaction, and foundation type. Albuquerque soils vary enough that this step genuinely matters. Our guide to what is under your slab explains why.
A good contractor will build to the engineer's drawings and the geotech recommendations, and will raise questions when something on site does not match. Be wary of anyone who dismisses engineering as unnecessary on structural work.
Look at payment terms
A deposit is common, particularly when materials need to be ordered or the schedule is being held. A payment schedule tied to clear milestones is normal and fair to both sides. Some patterns are worth slowing down for:
- A request for most or all of the money before work begins
- Pressure to pay in cash only, with no written contract
- A deal that is only good if you sign today
- Vague terms about what triggers each payment
None of these automatically means a contractor is dishonest. They are simply signs to ask more questions before you commit.
References and photos of their own work
Ask for photos of projects the contractor actually completed, ideally with locations you could drive by. Older projects are especially useful, because they show how the work held up after a few monsoons and winters. Ask for references from customers with similar projects, and when you call them, ask about communication and cleanup as well as the finished result.
Call NM811 before anyone digs
New Mexico has a one-call system, NM811, for locating underground utilities before excavation. Calling 811 before digging is free and is a basic safety and legal step for excavation work. Ask your contractor whether they will place the locate request and confirm it has been done before excavation begins. Keep in mind that private lines, such as sprinkler lines, landscape lighting, or a line to a detached building, are often not marked by the utility locate.
Trust, but put it in writing
Good working relationships are built on clear expectations. Verify the license, see the insurance, agree on the scope, and understand the payment schedule. Then let the crew do their work. If you would like to see how we write up a scope, you can request an estimate and compare it against this list.