Subcontractor and Commercial Concrete Contractor : What’s the Difference?

If you are looking for someone who can help you with your upcoming concrete project, you have multiple options available. You might be considering working with a subcontractor or a commercial concrete contractor. What is the difference between these two options? What do you need to know? There are a few key points to keep in mind.

What Is a Subcontractor?

A subcontractor is a company or agent that has been hired by another contractor to help with a specific area of your project. For example, if you hire someone to help you build your house, then your home contractor might hire a subcontractor to handle the electrical work if he or she does not have experience in this area. A construction company might also hire a subcontractor to help with the driveway if he or she does not have someone on the team that can handle that job. The subcontractor reports to the original contractor, not you, if he or she has a question or payment concern. If the contractor hires subcontractors he or she is in charge of them, not you.

What Is a Commercial Concrete Contractor?

Another option is to hire commercial concrete companies. A commercial concrete contractor is someone who has specific training and experience to handle concrete needs as they relate to your project. If you want your project to be done correctly the first time around, then you should go with a commercial concrete contractor.

For example, a commercial concrete contractor will likely be up to date on the latest trends in his or her field. That way, he or she can follow all best practices to deliver the best outcome to you. In addition, if you hire a commercial concrete contractor, then that professional is going to be directly responsible and accountable to you instead of another contractor. This is the biggest difference between hiring a subcontractor and a commercial concrete contractor.

What Are the Top Benefits of Working with Commercial Concrete Companies?

If you decide to work with a commercial concrete contractor, there are a few main benefits that you are going to notice. These include:

  • A commercial concrete contractor has the specialized training and experience required to make sure that your project goes well.
  • A commercial concrete contractor will connections in the industry that he or she can use to make sure that you get the best price possible on all supplies.
  • Commercial concrete companies will also know who else to talk to if you have concerns about other areas of your project.
  • A commercial concrete company will provide you with an accurate estimate and make sure the project is done on time because he or she is accountable to you.

These are the top benefits of working with a commercial concrete contractor. You need to think about these benefits when you are deciding who to hire.

Work with a Professional Commercial Concrete Contractor

These are just a few of the many benefits of working with a commercial concrete contractor if you are looking for help with your concrete project. Make sure that you reach out to a professional commercial concrete contractor with any questions or concerns. If you work with an expert commercial concrete contractor, you will place your project in the best position to be successful.

Who Pays for Building and Maintaining Highways?

As you drive down the road, you may not spend a lot of time thinking about who was responsible for building them. At the same time, the safety, security, and quality of our roads are tremendously important. What would happen if our roads were not well-maintained? You would have a hard time getting where you need to go. Therefore, if you are having issues with local roads and highways, who is responsible for building and maintaining them? There are several important points you should keep in mind.

Where Does the Funding Come From?

First, who is responsible for paying people to build and maintain our roads and highways? This usually comes in the form of taxes. Taxes are collected on numerous items. Then, this funding is used to construct our roads. For example, fuel taxes that are collected by the federal, state, and local governments are often used to keep the roads in good working order. And some parts of the country, there are also tolls that are placed on highways and bridges. If tolls are collected, these funds are used to maintain our roads and bridges as well.

Who Hires People To Build and Maintain Roads?

So, who makes the hiring decision? Who is responsible for hiring people to build and maintain our roads? The vast majority of roads and bridges fall under the responsibility of state and local governments. Even though the federal government does play a role, most professionals are hired by state and local governments to work on our roads and bridges. Therefore, it is responsible for those making hiring decisions to make sure they hire the right people for the job. That is where local contractors are essential.

Local Contractors Do the Vast Majority of the Work

When it comes to roads and bridges, the best people for the job are local contractors. Local contractors have the training and experience necessary to build and maintain our roads and bridges. For example, anyone who is planning on laying out a new road for the first time will have to work with contractors who can help them find the right material for the job.

Then, if a repair is needed down the road, this is something else that is also handled by a local contractor. It is critical to make sure the repair is completed properly on the first attempt. That is why state and local officials have to work with professional local contractors, placing them in the best positions possible to do their jobs well.

Enlist the Help of Superior Aggregates

If you want to make sure that your roads are constructed properly, then you have to work with a local asphalt company. With the help of a professional asphalt contractor, you can rest easy, knowing that your roads are going to be constructed properly on the first attempt. That is where Superior Aggregates can help you. We have an unparalleled level of experience when it comes to working with roads of all shapes and sizes. We can anticipate problems before they develop, circumventing them before they derail the project. If you want your project completed on time and under budget, it would be our pleasure to assist you. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you!

Own a Commercial Property? Hire a Pro Parking Lot Contractor

A clean, well-maintained parking lot with clear markings and lighting is a catch, especially in countries where cars are the primary transport mode. In a commercial property, the parking lot makes the business’s first impression. A pro parking lot contractor keeps your commercial parking lot looking impressive and well-maintained.

What Do You Want Your Parking Lot To Say About Your Commercial Property?

If your parking is cracked, dented, and faded, your client automatically assumes that your services are equally worn-out and careless. It is unprofessional and risks damaging your client’s car. According to an INRIX report, 63% of US drivers avoid businesses with parking challenges.

But with a well-maintained parking lot, your clients have an easy time parking and will very likely come back to your property.

In a competitive market, businesses’ top priority is the customer experience. Customers are more willing to pay a premium for a great experience. Whether it’s the tenants or their customers, they demand the best parking experience.

Make Your Commercial Parking Lot Appealing

Parking lots are bound to depreciate. To make your commercial parking lot more appealing, then you need to fix any cracks, potholes, and drainage issues in your paved parking space. This means regular maintenance and repair.

Regular Maintenance

Sealcoating

The cheapest way to maintain an asphalt parking construction is a seal coating. Seal coating adds a protective layer to extend your asphalt parking lot’s life. It protects the surface from UV rays, oils, and water damage. The black coat gives a sleek and shiny look. It extends your parking space life by 2 to 3 years when done correctly.

Rehabilitation

If your asphalt parking lot is already in bad shape, call in a parking lot contractor to determine the best rehabilitation option. The contractor will walk you through your options and the estimated cost for rehabilitating your garage. You may choose to resurface or repave your parking lot.

Resurfacing Vs Repaving A Parking Lot

If your asphalt parking lot has cracks and dents that don’t reach the foundation layers, then an asphalt overlay can add up to 8 years more life to your parking lot. The paving contractor will fill up any dents, seal cracks, and repair drainage issues before applying a thick (1.5 to 2 inches deep) asphalt layer. This is resurfacing.

But if your parking lot is crumbling away with cracks and manholes, it cannot make a good foundation for an asphalt overlay. Your best option would be to replace the entire pavement. This is repaving.

Repaving is the most expensive and durable option. But it extends your pavement’s life up to 25 years or more. Hire an experienced and reputable asphalt company to get the most value for your money.

When To Repave Your Parking Lot

Repaving may be costly because the contractor removes the whole asphalt parking construction. They rebuild everything from the foundation to the surface. Asphalt companies recycle your old asphalt and mix it with new asphalt to reduce the repaving costs.

Repaving is the long-term solution to your parking lot problems. Sure, you may resurface a couple of times, but that does not repair your foundation. Small cracks will use an overlay, but serious damages require repaving. In the long run, you will need to replace the entire thing.

If your parking lot is older than 25 years, it’s time to repave. A new asphalt pavement will last you another 25 years with good maintenance (i.e. seal coating and resurfacing). It keeps your business looking professional and worthy.

A well-maintained parking lot shows that you care about your clients. You get more tenants, and your clients get more customers. Your clients will be less grumpy when you charge top dollar amounts. It’s a win-win.

Contract a pro parking lot contractor to learn how to reduce costs and plan the repaving without disrupting business.

How to Make a Concrete Mold

Are you interested in creating a concrete mold by yourself? You need to make sure that you know how to do this safely. Furthermore, you also have to have the right materials. What are the steps that you need to follow if you want to successfully build a concrete mold? There are several steps to note.

Gather the Right Materials

First, you need to gather the right materials. You will need panels to create the mold, drywall screws, silicone caulk, bar clamps, ball bearing, a cordless drill, a circular saw, and a caulking gun. You will probably also want to wear latex gloves during this process.

Step 1: Cut the Panels

First, you have to cut the panel to the right size. A lot of people use a melamine board. If you would like to minimize chipping as you are going through the board, use a fine-tooth saw blade. Then, set the depth to just below the depth of the saw cut. Usually, this is about ⅞ of an inch.

Step 2: Clamp the Longer Side Walls to the Base of the Mold

Next, take the panels and lay them on a work surface. Place the longer walls on the edges. Hold them in place using the bar clamps.

Step 3: Drill the Pilot Holes

Once you are confident that the clamps are holding the board and place, drill several pilot holes spaced equal distances apart. Then, place the drywall screws through these holes. 1-inch drywall screws tend to work the best. Make sure that every screw is seated firmly. That way, the walls are drawn tight against the base. This will keep the mold in place when you use it.

Step 4: Add the Shorter Side Walls Next

After this, you should place the shorter sidewalls on their edges. Make sure they are next to the longer sides. Go through the same process with the shorter sides as you did with the longer side. Drill a few pilot holes. Then, add the screws. Make sure the screws are seated firmly to hold the concrete mold in place.

Step 5: Bevel the Corners

This is when you want to put on your gloves. Squirt a bead that is about half an inch in size of silicone caulk into every corner of the mold. After this, dip the ball bearing in some water. Draw the ball bearing down every caulked corner to make sure the curve is smooth.

Step 6: Clean Up Your Work by Removing Any Excess Caulk

Finally, wait for the silicone caulk to cure. Then, remove any excess silicone that may be in place. You may want to start by picking at the end of the strip with your fingernail. Then, pull any excess caulk away. Dispose of it safely.

Rely on a Professional Local Asphalt Company for Help Making a Concrete Mold

If this sounds like a complicated process, then you may want to reach out to a trained professional for assistance. With the help of an asphalt contractor, you can make sure that you do this job right the first time. If you do not have the right concrete mold, you may have a hard time finishing your project. Fortunately, there are professionals who have the training to make sure this process is performed correctly. You do not have to go through this alone. Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional for help.

5 Planning Tips for Property Managers

Managing real estate can be a great way to earn a living. While there will always be a demand for property managers in the real estate industry, there are many important tasks that a property manager has to keep up with. One very important task that they need to follow is to keep up with the maintenance and repair for their concrete. While a asphalt and concrete can last for a long time, it does require some upkeep along the way. Eventually, the property will need either a new overlay or repairs to the existing concrete. There are five planning tips that a property manager should follow when going through this process.

Schedule and Prepare for the Consultation

If you have a property that you are looking to improve or notice that there are cracks or other wear and tear in the paving, it is important to have it checked out by a concrete and asphalt paving company as soon as you can. When you have one of these companies come out they will be able to provide a full consultation. This will include providing an assessment of the condition of your pavement and an analysis of what forms of remediation are available.

Once you have scheduled the consultation, you will need to prepare for it. This process will include clearing the pavement as much as possible and walking it to identify areas of concern that should be inspected. You should also questions prepared to ask your consultant when they arrive.

Review and Hone Your Budget

The cost of pavement projects can vary considerably from one to the next. It is important to have a good sense of what your project and future maintenance costs will be. You should assess your property budget regularly to ensure there are reserves available to pay for these costs.

Devise a Long-Term Maintenance Schedule

A maintenance schedule for any asphalt or concrete surface should also be put in place. Some forms of maintenance that are needed will include cleaning and reapplying sealer, cleaning up any spilled oil or stains as soon as possible and using chemicals that will not harm the concrete. Doing all of this will extend the life of your pavement.

Schedule Regular Site Inspections

Even if you stay current with your maintenance needs, you should stil inspect it regularly. A concrete inspector will be able to carefully check over your concrete to see if there are any cracks or other areas of concern. Based on these inspections, you may notice deferred maintenance items that can be fixed before turning into larger problems.

Choose the Right Commercial Paving Contractor  

One of the most important tips that you can follow for any pavement job is choosing the right contractor. There are likely a variety of asphalt and concrete companies in your local area to choose from. When you are looking for a contractor, you should do some research online to get a sense of consumer reviews. It would be a good idea to get a sense of their reputation for quality work, staying within budget, getting the work done on time and providing good customer service.

When researching contractors, you should also meet with at least a few different options. This will allow you to get multiple opinions and quotes, which could then be compared to select the best deal. Prior to signing any contract you should also get a current copy of their license and insurance.