A good concrete contractor in Michigan talks about the base, the mix and the drainage before the finish. Use these points to check anyone you are thinking of hiring, including us.
How do I find a good concrete contractor?
To find a good concrete contractor, ask neighbors whose concrete has been through several winters and still looks good. Old work tells you more than a fresh pour. Read recent reviews, and look for photos of base and steel work, not only finished slabs. Get two or three written bids for the same scope. Then look up the contractor's licence on LARA's online search.
Does a concrete contractor need to be licensed and insured in Michigan?
In Michigan, a licence is usually required. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) licenses residential builders and maintenance and alteration contractors, and concrete is one of the listed maintenance and alteration trades. Under MCL 339.2403, a person is exempt only in limited cases, such as an owner working on a structure for their own use, or a single project where the total contract price for labor, material and everything else is less than $600. Insurance is a separate question. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you directly by the insurer, and check that the name matches the licence.
What should I ask a concrete contractor before hiring?
- How deep will you dig, and what base goes in?
- Is the mix air-entrained for outdoor use?
- What thickness and what steel are in the price?
- Where do the joints go, and how soon after the pour are they cut?
- Where will the water go?
- Who gets the Southfield right-of-way permit for the approach or sidewalk?
- Who contacts MISS DIG 811?
- What is your LARA licence number?
- Will your insurer send me a certificate?
- What happens if it rains, or gets too cold, on pour day?
- What warranty do you give, in writing?
What should a written estimate include?
A written estimate should list the square footage, thickness, base depth and compaction, steel, concrete strength and air entrainment, joints, finish, tear-out and haul-away, permits, cleanup, the price, the payment schedule and a start window. It should also say what happens if the crew finds soft clay or something buried, with a unit price for extra base.
How much deposit is normal? The contractor wants 50 percent up front in cash with no contract.
We did not find a Michigan law that caps a contractor's deposit, so the amount is whatever you agree to. A modest deposit to book the date or cover materials is common, with the balance due when the work is done. Fifty percent in cash before anything is signed is a reason to walk away. Sign a contract first, pay by check or card, get a receipt, and check the licence before you pay anything.
What are the red flags?
- No written contract, or a one-line price.
- Cash only, or a large payment before any work.
- No mention of base, steel, air entrainment or joints.
- A price far below the others with no reason given.
- Pressure to sign today, or leftover concrete from another job.
- No LARA licence, or a name that does not match the licence record.
- A crew knocking on doors after a storm offering cheap work.
What warranty should I expect?
Expect any warranty in writing, saying what it covers and for how long. Terms differ from contractor to contractor. Concrete warranties usually cover workmanship problems such as a failed surface or a slab poured with the wrong slope. They usually exclude hairline shrinkage cracks, damage from deicers and ground movement from frost or clay. Ask us for our terms in writing with the quote, and ask every other bidder the same.
I paid a deposit and the contractor stopped answering. What can I do?
If the contractor stopped answering, send a dated written demand by email and certified mail with a date to start or refund. Keep the contract, receipt and all messages. Check the contractor's licence on LARA's search. LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes reviews complaints such as unlicensed work and fraud, but it says it cannot resolve contract or payment disputes, so for money back look at small claims court or a lawyer. This is general information, not legal advice.
How do I know they have done stamped work before?
Ask to see stamped jobs they have done before that are at least a few winters old, so you can see how the color and sealer have held up to salt and frost. Ask which stamp patterns they own, who does the stamping, and for a color sample. Stamping is time-sensitive, and a hot or windy day changes how fast the concrete sets.
What if the crew hits a hidden water line?
If the crew hits a water line, work stops, the water is shut off and the pipe is repaired before the job goes on. Who pays depends on the line. Public utility lines are marked through MISS DIG 811, and a contractor who hits a properly marked line is usually responsible. Private lines, such as sprinkler pipe or a line to a garage, are not marked. Point them out before work starts, and agree in the contract who pays if one breaks.
Is a written estimate binding if they hit something unexpected?
How binding a written estimate is depends on how the estimate and contract are worded. A fixed-price contract holds for the scope written in it. Hidden conditions, such as soft clay, a void or old concrete buried under the slab, are usually handled by a change order. The contract should require your signed approval and a price before any extra work starts. Question any extra on the bill that you did not approve.
Sources: Michigan LARA maintenance and alteration contractor licence information and Bureau of Construction Codes Enforcement Section; MCL 339.2403; MISS DIG 811; City of Southfield Engineering. Checked October 2026.
To get a price for your own property, book a free on-site estimate. Call (313) 789-3411, or text a photo of the concrete to that number.