Almost anyone can agree that the sound of having "concrete" anything brings about a rather grey, boring and cold image. Because of this alone many home owners do not opt for the more economical choice for their home: concrete flooring, concrete driveways and concrete steps.
Did you know that concrete, thanks to advancements in technology and innovative thinking, can now be made to look just like marble? All it takes is a process named "stamping" that can change the entire appearance of your concrete flooring, patio, steps, driveway - what ever!
Some other popular choices that stamped concretes offer are:
What ever type of flooring or pattern you want to see in your concrete, it can be done! And the best news? You can achieve this appearance for a fraction of the cost when compared to the "real thing"!
Have you ever wanted an Italian marble in your kitchen? Or maybe you wanted a granite front porch but could never afford it. Stamped concrete can help you achieve these looks for a price that almost ANYONE can afford! More important than your budget, however, is the installer that you select. Be sure not to go with the very first contractor; select a few by running either an Internet search, or checking some numbers in your Yellow Pages. Another option is to call the stone mason guild near you for referrals, or simply ask friends, family, or a neighbor who has a great looking new front stoop. Stamped concrete is a specialized art, so you will want to be sure that you find one that fits your needs (and budget!).
Be sure that you do interview the contractors that you have selected. Remember, you are paying a lot of your hard earned money for this job. The work that they do can also either increase the value of your home, or, if it is a bad job, decrease it, so interviewing the contractors is certainly worth your while. Not sure what to ask? No problem. Here are the questions you want to ask:
- Are you licensed in this town/city/State?
- Are you insured? Are you bonded?
- Do you have any certifications?
- Do you have any co-workers and/or assistants?
- Do you have any references and pictures of previous works completed?
- What is the estimated time frame for this project?
- What is your expected payment schedule?
- How long should this particular project take?
- Do you provide clean-up services? If so, are there any limitations?
Run a quick Internet search to seek out any further questions you feel need to be asked. A good contractor will not only accept your questions, but they will welcome them.
