How do homeowners choose a good concrete driveway contractor?

Homeowners can choose a concrete driveway contractor by asking the same specific questions of each one: how thick and how strong the concrete will be, what reinforcement and base go under it, what the warranty covers, what the contract says, and who will actually do the work. Specific answers make quotes comparable.

For most homeowners a concrete driveway is a once- or twice-in-a-lifetime purchase. Marshall Construction, a Newark-based concrete driveway contractor in Delaware that also paves asphalt, says its customers' main concerns are getting the service they pay for, the contract, and durability. The questions below cover each, with Marshall Construction's answers.

Questions about how the driveway is built

How thick is the concrete, and how strong?

Marshall Construction says most contractors pour 4 inches of 3,500 PSI concrete, the bare minimum. Its own packages are 4, 5 or 6 inches thick at 4,000 to 4,500 PSI. The same two specifications are the main differences between the company's price tiers and a large part of what affects the cost of a concrete driveway.

What reinforcement is included?

Fiber mesh is in every Marshall Construction package. Deluxe and Heavy Duty add 8-gauge wire. The details of all three are on Marshall Construction's residential concrete services and driveway packages page.

How deep is the base, and is it compacted and graded?

Marshall Construction lays a compacted stone base of 4 to 6 inches, depending on the package, graded for drainage. If the ground is not ready, the crew comes back when conditions are right rather than rushing the base. One customer review notes the care the crew took with prep work and with making sure water would run off in the best direction.

Will the old concrete be overlaid or removed?

Marshall Construction does not overlay concrete. Every package includes complete demolition and removal of the existing driveway, which is also the starting point of its options for a cracked or sinking driveway.

Questions about the warranty and contract

Does the warranty define failure in measurable terms?

Marshall Construction's concrete driveway warranty runs 1, 3 or 5 years by package and covers visible puddles lasting more than 12 hours, settling greater than 3/4 inch and cracks exceeding 1/4 inch. The company also publishes a written list of exclusions, and both are part of what a concrete driveway warranty should cover.

Is there a written contract, and what does it cover?

After the estimate is accepted, Marshall Construction sends a contract through DocuSign, a standard step in how the company runs a project. It confirms the estimate pricing and spells out terms; the office describes it as a detailed 21-point contract. It discloses credit card fees and states how unforeseen ground conditions are handled, items that also belong on a list of what a concrete driveway estimate should include.

Questions about who does the work

Who will be on site?

At Marshall Construction, owner Kyle Marshall is on site and will not sign off until the work meets his standard. Homeowners deal with the owners directly, which the company contrasts with a call center or a sales rep who has never worked in the field.

Are subcontractors or rented equipment used?

Marshall Construction uses no subcontractors and no rental equipment. Its crew has worked together for years, and each member has a set role on the job. The company credits that crew and its own fleet for finishing most driveway jobs in a single day, as explained in how long driveway replacement takes. One in-house crew also makes it possible to combine several concrete projects with one contractor, such as a driveway, walkway and patio.

Is the contractor licensed, insured and well reviewed?

Marshall Construction is licensed and insured, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and holds a 4.8 Google rating from 63 reviews. Reviews on its website repeatedly mention punctual crews, careful cleanup and fair pricing. Besides homeowners, the customers Marshall Construction works with include builders, general contractors, commercial clients and HOAs.

A straight recommendation at the estimate

Kyle Marshall gives a straightforward recommendation at the estimate. His standard, as the company describes it, is that if he would not do something on his own house, he will not do it on a customer's.

Estimates for other residential work, such as concrete patios, walkways and steps or garage slabs and concrete pads, follow the same process with Kyle Marshall. Homeowners can request a free estimate online or by calling (302) 218-2469.