Checklist for Choosing a Concrete Repair Contractor
A good concrete repair contractor asks about movement before quoting, cleans the whole surface, repairs cracks rather than painting over them, treats joints as joints, follows product data sheets and is clear about what they do not do. This checklist turns those points into questions you can ask anyone, us included, before you hand over your driveway.
Send us a photo and the m²Does the contractor ask the right questions before quoting?
A careful contractor wants to know more than the size of your driveway. Expect questions about whether cracks are growing, whether any part sinks or rocks, whether there is an old coating and how the area is used.
- Did they ask for photos of the damage and a wide shot of the area?
- Did they ask whether any cracks have grown or reopened?
- Did they ask about sinking, rocking or hollow areas?
- Did they ask about old coatings and earlier repairs?
If nobody asks these, nobody is checking for movement, and that is the most expensive thing to miss. Our red flags article explains why.
Will they tell you when the job is not for them?
A trustworthy contractor will say when your problem needs an engineer, a builder or a different specialist. Someone who will take on any job, whatever the photos show, is a risk.
We are clear about our limits: we do not do structural surveys, new concrete, demolition, indoor or industrial floors or line marking. When the photos suggest movement, we recommend an engineer before we quote.
Does the quote describe the whole process?
A good quote is specific about what will be done, not just the area and a price. Check that each stage of the work is mentioned.
- Cleaning of the whole surface.
- Crack preparation and repair, not just painting over.
- Repair of small holes, spalled patches and broken edges where present.
- Joint treatment that keeps joints working.
- Brush cut-in along walls, posts and steps.
- Recolouring of the whole area, with the number of coats stated.
Our crack repair, pothole repair and expansion joint repair pages show how we describe each of these.
Do they refer to product data sheets?
Drying times, traffic times and expected performance belong to the product, not to the contractor's memory. A contractor who refers to the data sheets, and will show them to you, is working to the product's design.
Be cautious with confident durability claims that are not backed by a data sheet. We deliberately do not state lifespans or drying times on this site; we follow the product data sheet for each job.
Are their details and pricing clear?
You should be able to see who you are dealing with: a name, an address, an email and a phone number. Spain's information society law (LSSI) requires business websites to show identifying details, and to say clearly whether prices include taxes.
Our own details: Bauman Raymond Attila, Autónomo, Avenida Antonio Belón 3, 29602 Marbella, phone and WhatsApp 613 656 443. Our guide price is published on our price page, with VAT shown separately.
How do they handle communication and access?
If you are abroad, check that the contractor can work in your language, arrange access with your key holder or property manager, and send photos of the work. These are practical points, but they decide how smoothly the job runs.
We work in English as well as Spanish, by email and WhatsApp, and can share photos of the main stages.
Can they show real work?
Ask to see photos of real jobs, including stages in progress, not just finished shots. Photos of crack filling and edge work show whether the contractor actually repairs before painting.
Our Marbella imprinted driveway is documented stage by stage on our work page, from the faded, cracked surface to the finished colour. For what to expect from start to finish, read what working with us looks like.
What is the short version of this checklist?
| Check | Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Questions before quoting | Asks about movement and history | Only asks for square metres |
| Limits | Says when a job needs an engineer | Takes on anything |
| Quote | Lists cleaning, repairs, joints, coats | Area and price only |
| Products | Refers to data sheets | Vague durability promises |
| Identity | Name, address, contact shown | Hard to identify |
| Evidence | Photos of stages, not just results | No real photos |
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a concrete repair contractor first?
Ask how they will check whether your cracks are moving, whether the whole surface will be cleaned, whether cracks will be opened and repaired rather than painted over, how joints will be treated and whether you can see the product data sheets. Clear answers to these questions say a lot.
How can I tell if a contractor will just paint over the cracks?
Look at the quote and ask directly. If it does not mention crack preparation and repair, only painting, the cracks are likely to be coated without being repaired. Photos of their earlier work showing filled cracks before colour are a good sign that they repair properly.
Should a contractor promise how long a repair will last?
We do not make durability promises beyond what the product data sheets state, and we would be cautious of confident claims not backed by them. Ask any contractor what their claims are based on, and ask to see the data sheets for the materials they plan to use.
Is it a bad sign if a contractor turns my job down?
Not at all. A contractor who tells you your problem needs an engineer or a builder is protecting you from paying for a repair that will not last. Be more cautious of anyone who will take on every job regardless of what the photos show.
What details should a contractor's website show?
Spain's LSSI requires business websites to show identifying information such as the name, address and email, and to say clearly whether prices include taxes. Being able to see who you are dealing with is a basic check before you share access to your property.
Do I need a contractor who speaks English?
If you manage the property from abroad or prefer English, it makes the job far easier: quotes, dates and access can be arranged clearly in writing. We work in English as well as Spanish, by email and WhatsApp. Photos of each stage can be shared the same way.
How many quotes should I get?
There is no fixed rule. What matters more than the number is comparing like with like: check that each quote covers cleaning, crack repair, joints, edges and the number of coats. A cheaper quote that skips preparation is not comparable with one that includes it.
Should the contractor visit before quoting?
Good photos and the rough area are usually enough for a first quote on repair work. If something cannot be judged from photos, such as how loose an old coating is, a careful contractor will say so and arrange to check it rather than guess.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for quotes that only list area and price, no questions about movement, painting over cracks, filling joints solid, vague durability promises, no identifiable business details and no photos of real work in progress. Any one of these is worth questioning before you agree.
How do I compare contractors who work in different ways?
Write down what each one will do in order: cleaning, repairs, joints, edges, coats. Then check who has asked about movement and who refers to data sheets. The contractor with the clearest process and the most honest limits is usually the safer choice.
How can I check your work before booking?
Look at our work page, which shows the Marbella imprinted driveway stage by stage, including crack filling and edge work before the colour. Then send photos of your own surface, and we will tell you honestly whether it is a job for us.