The Most Common—and Costly—Concrete
Contractor Problems
Concrete contractors are particularly dependent on accurate layout processes. Any missed or inaccurate layout details can throw off the whole project,
creating a ripple effect of errors. Here are some common problems concrete contractors can encounter:
Inaccurate or incomplete information
If you don't have access to accurate construction conditions for cast-in-place concrete, you can't accurately calculate the correct amount of material needed.
If your calculations are wrong, you could end up with too much concrete and costly waste, or too little concrete that requires additional materials, time, labor,
and equipment—and adds unexpected expenses. Also crucial are accurate dimensions for features like door blockouts, brick ledges, and complex shapes and
curves. But if your dimensions are off, you could end up making mistakes that require rework.
Uneven slab work
Critical to concrete work is making sure your slabs and panels are poured correctly, with flatness, slopes, and openings set according to specifications.
Measuring floor flatness is already a time-consuming process to schedule, complete, or receive official reports from testing agencies. If you find problems
after the concrete has been poured, tearing out and repouring or leveling slabs or panels adds even more time and can be very expensive. On top of it, the new
OSHA silica safety standard—requiring that any concrete cutting, grinding, or chipping be done with vacuums and/or water placement—also takes more hours,
equipment, and labor for set up, completion, and clean up.
