Simple Creations in Concrete

Who You Going To Call?

2011-10-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

I find it interesting when a company feels the need to promote themselves by trying to discredit another company. Does that make you scratch your head and wonder why are they doing that? Surely I am not the only one or am I just taking things to personally?

Here is what I found: Another concrete company received a bad review from a client. In the explanation or justification, a comment was made referring that this company has Quote "have fallen short in quality and service as we have heard from many of their customers calling us."

Now I ask you good people out there in residential land, If you had a company that belongs to the BBB and is a license, bonded, insured company through the State of Nevada would you call another concrete company to complain about their work or would you use the power of the pen and contact the BBB so it would stop performing poor quality and service? Do you know that you can also contact the State Contractors board for the same thing? That statement from this other company above just does not make sense to me, Does it to you? Wouldn't you call the company you had the work done through to voice this and try to get a resolution from them? The review does not state that they were being asked to repair or fix anything, so why were they called in the first place? Any suggestion? (if so, please comment)

I know that my company has not provided a record of perfect service or quality every single day, 365 days a year, what company does? I do know, since I take all calls personally and not an estimator or secretary I get less then 10 calls a year on any type of problem what so ever, and when you are doing over 200 jobs a year that is less then .05% complaints. I do know, that there is no unresolved issues of quality or service that have contacted me and only just a few personality differences. (I have an odd sense of humor)

I found this from a google review when I typed in Concrete Patios Las Vegas. I was researching my competition to keep our prices competitive. I know this company well and have always treated them with respect. I guess the feelings are not mutual. So, my final question to the general public is:

WHY WOULD ANY COMPANY TRY TO DISCREDIT ANOTHER COMPANY IN THIS MANNER ?

Unlicensed Contractor Check List

2011-09-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

The next time you consider hiring an unlicensed contractor or company ask them one simple question, "Why do you not have a license?"

If you receive any of the responses below, you may want to reconsider your decision to hire them, especially if they say #14 before they say anything else.

1. I don't make enough to pay the licensing fees.
2. I don't plan on being around here that long.
3. I had one once but can't get one any more.
4. I don't want to be liable for any mistakes me or my workers make.
5. I don't want anyone to be able to find me.
6. I might have to change the name of my company in the next couple of months and it is a big hassle to change the license information.
7. I find I can charge the same price as a licensed contractors but I make more profit because I don't have to pay licensing and insurance fees.
8. If I was licensed, I would have to declare income to the IRS, and that would cut into my profits.
9. If I was licensed, I would have to hire legal workers and pay them a fair wage and I can't afford that.
10. Immigration and neutralization services might get involved.
11. I would have to pay an insurance bond to guarantee my work and that is just too expensive.
12. I do not need anyone looking over my shoulder, I have been doing this work for 20 years.
13. I care so much about my customers that I do not want them to pay one penny more than they need to and if I was licensed, I would have to include the cost of the license and bonding in my my fees.
14. Why are you asking that question, don't you trust me?

Economic Times, could mean CHEAP WORK

2011-08-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Our economy is not the greatest at this moment, as we all know. Home owners are fixing up there homes instead of selling and buying new. Which really helps businesses like ours. However, without new homes or business building new buildings a lot of people are out of work and this will turn people to doing side jobs as a way to make a living for there families.

While most of these types of workers could be good employees, they may lack the skills to be a good business man or a concrete finisher. They go from being told what is needed to be done to trying to remember what all is needed to get the job done. They may have a very good CHEAP price to do the work and say they have the experience, but your results may reflect the price you paid when compared to a LICENSED CONTRACTOR who is bonded, insured and is legal to operate with a license.

I have seen many jobs performed over the course of this summer and have been called many more times to fix a job that was not done right. Concrete is not like paint, if you do not like it buy another gallon of anther color and repaint. To repair a bad concrete job sometimes cost you double the original cost just to fix it. So, when you add that to the original cost, you paid 3 times the amount you wanted because he was the CHEAPEST bid given. Oh, by the way, how much was that Licensed Contractors bid, $500.00 more or was it just $200.00.

Licensed Contractors are not CHEAP, some are AFFORDABLE, it is a matter of doing your homework and using the resources that are available to you such as, BBB & State Contractors Board. There is a difference between choosing a CHEAP Contractor & the lowest bid from an AFFORDABLE LICENSED CONTRACTOR.

Reviews from Face Book

2011-02-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

A past client had this to say about us on our Face Book website:

Dana Lee:
Great company! Very professional! Would definitely use the company again. Very reliable, prompt, and courteous. I highly recommend them if you need concrete work done.

Thanks Dana it was a pleasure to give see your smile at the end of the day.

2009-02-11T19:29:00.000-08:00

In July look for an ad like this in the Embarq Yellow Pages

Concrete Cracks "It is what it is, can't stop it"

2008-12-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

Concrete is an immovable item that sits on a movable service and because of that cracks will occur. Other reasons for cracking could be from to much water added to the mix when poured, concrete drying to fast, wind or severe cold all add to this also, the list goes on and on. The Nevada Contractors Board understands this and has a built in a variance for this in the code requirements for contractors. Contractors are allowed to have a crack in the concrete as long as it is not more than the width of a nickle (approx. 1/8 of a inch) for patio's and (approx. 1/4 of a inch) providing they have followed all the other codes. If a crack does appear and is not wider than the dimensions already mentioned the contractor will not be required to fix it. If it widens past those dimensions within four years you can call the Contractors board to have an investigator come out to verify your claim. (Be sure keep your contract)

Simple Creations in Concrete.

Choosing A Concrete Contractor 3

2008-12-12T16:50:00.000-08:00

APPEARANCE & PERFORMANCE

Just because a Contractor arrives in a company truck doesn't make him the best choice. (but it is a good start) Ask if he is the owner or a salesperson. Will the person your talking to be the one doing the work. Will this be the only job for the crew that day or do they need to rush off to finish another one. Did the person you are talking to look like he just came from a pour or is his hair & shoes still nice & clean? Is he taking the time to listen to you or are you feeling misunderstood and rushed. Does he suggest options to your idea's or just tell you how he will do it? To have this guy do your work, will he do it to benefit you or him?

Choosing A Concrete Contractor 2

2008-12-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

ESTIMATES

Estimates should be clear an precise. The dimensions for the project should be stated on the estimate . Whether it is for the total job or as individual area's you need to know what you are paying for. The more descriptive the contractor is the better chance you have of getting what you want. A contractor who will itemize out his work is less likely to stick you with additional cost later or leave out something intentionally to up the cost part way through the job. If he only has a business card, hand him a piece of paper and then make sure he signs it.

Choosing A Concrete Contractor

2008-12-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

REFERRALS

Referral's are not always trustworthy. People have different levels of quality expectations. Go and see the work yourself. It will be better for you, in the long run, if you spend the time to look at the work yourself. By doing this, your friend will enjoy your company & you won't have a bad memory & a grudge to settle every time you see the concrete.