So you’ve decided to take the plunge and put in a new concrete driveway at home or a parking lot for your business. After comparing the types of concrete contractors, you’ve reached out to local concrete contractors and you’re accepting bids. But once those bids start coming in, what should you look for?

While every contractor’s bid will look a little bit different, in order for you to make an informed decision, all your proposals should contain enough information to help you make that decision.

Let’s take a look at what should be included in a concrete bid for your parking lot or driveway.

No matter how different each proposal looks, your concrete parking lot bid and your concrete driveway bid should each include this basic information: how much the project will cost, how long it will take, the type of work that will be done and the methods that will be used. This will give you a general look at how each contractor will approach a project. This part of the project probably won’t vary much from contractor to contractor, with the exception of price. It’s when you get down to the details that you might start to see some differences.

A Breakdown

There are a few spots that should be further broken down to give you a clearer vision of the project. Rather than just a price, the contractor should include information on where that price comes from: 

• The cost of materials.
• The cost of each portion of the job.
• The cost of labor.
• How long that price will be valid (if you can’t start the project right away).

Expect to see a detailed breakdown of the work being done and a timeline for each portion of the work. How long will each section take and when will the entire project be done?

Look for descriptions of the methods that will be used to complete the work as that can determine how long the work will last.

Must Haves of a Paving Bid

Besides the general information, here are some specifics the paving bid for your concrete driveway or parking lot should include:

• Square yardage or footage, or linear footage of each section of the job.
• Number of locations (of patches) and depth of patch repairs or sidewalk/curb & gutter sections.
• Sealcoating details.
• Paving details including the thickness.
• Warranty information.
• The planned process to notify residents of project dates, times and contact information.
• Whether or not pavement marking is included.

While these are not required, it’s nice when proposals include:

• Photographs.
• Qualifications.
• References.

Tip: Always make sure to have a list of questions to ask your concrete contractor handy and ask them before accepting the bid. 

When this information is included in a paving bid, it’s easier to make a decision on who will be the right contractor for the job.

When you’re ready to start your concrete parking lot or driveway project, check out Michigan Concrete to find the right concrete contractor and supplier in Michigan for the job.