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(31 posts)

Concrete Work Recommendation

Started 3 years ago by crash
Latest reply from Eggbert

crash
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I need to get the front of my concrete driveway removed and repoured due to some shifting issues. I have the permits but am looking for any recommendations of concrete companies/individuals who do concrete work in Seattle.

Posted 3 years ago #
DavidF
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I recommend Ron Bryant, 933 2275. A local business owner, and very knowledgeable about concrete.

Posted 3 years ago #
celeste17
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I second Bryant Concrete. They came to us about 8 years ago and helped us with a job done by someone who didn't know what they were doing and pulled up the work that was done and poured a real driveway and no problems to this day. And he checks in from time to time to see if there are any problems.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Gary Merlino Construction does most of the City of Seattle's concrete sidewalks and many of the City's concrete streets. They get the contracts because their finishers do beautiful work, they know the City of Seattle requirements, and they deliver results. Some of their workers do side jobs in their spare time.

You could find a Merlino project, park somewhere legally, then ask around.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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I third Bryant Concrete - he's a really nice guy in addition to being very knowledgeable about all things concrete.

Posted 3 years ago #
Diana
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This work requires that anyone other than the homeowner have a contractors license. Hiring employees that do "side jobs" is a very bad thing to do. It harms their employer, it harms our economy, it harms legit contractors, and it all could come down on the homeowner if things don't go right. There's no bond, no insurance...potentially dangerous waters to tred if you want to protect your assets. The Department of Labor and Industries has a good website that can provide lots of information to you when it comes to hiring a contractor.

Posted 3 years ago #
Flyrice
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Can someone please verify the phone number for Bryant concrete. The number posted above is wrong and the person who answers it said he is getting a lot of calls that are the wrong number.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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Bryant Concrete: (206) 935-2275

Posted 3 years ago #
alki_2008
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Yeah - the "933" is what shows up in Yelp.com

A quick google of Ron Bryant, Seattle, WA brings this number: (206) 935-2275...which is one number off, yet has the same address as Yelp.com

Posted 3 years ago #
em.howlett
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I would recommend Michael Swope for the concerte removal and Greg Goyen for the pouring. They both live in West Seattle, work together frequently, and are both at the top of their categories on Angie's List. They did my driveway and it turned out great! Mike's number is 206-852-2395

Posted 3 years ago #
marcusdc
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Another reccomendation for Bryant. i have met him a number of times and he is a great guy, plus all the work I have seen is top notch, I have seen five jobs he has done in the past and we are hiring him to do the new sloped floors in our brewery.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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hello? new brewery? here in WS? :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Diana wrote:
"This work requires that anyone other than the homeowner have a contractors license. Hiring employees that do "side jobs" is a very bad thing to do. It harms their employer, it harms our economy, it harms legit contractors, and it all could come down on the homeowner if things don't go right. There's no bond, no insurance...potentially dangerous waters to tred if you want to protect your assets. The Department of Labor and Industries has a good website that can provide lots of information to you when it comes to hiring a contractor."

Please provide a URL for the Department of Labor and Industries website regarding hiring a contractor.

From what I have seen, the Merlino guys who do side jobs do beautiful work, and they are the guys most likely to know what meets code.

I dunno the specific legalities, and I am certainly not advocating anyone sideskirt the specific legalitiies.

Posted 3 years ago #
Diana
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http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Diana,

Thank you for the URL.

When I clicked on the
Licenses & Permits
link, I saw
"This online service will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Friday, January 30 to 6 a.m. Monday, February 2."

I don't know anything about how guys do side jobs. Who applies for the permits? The homeowner?

Posted 3 years ago #
Diana
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They are probably doing their monthly update. Usually the contractor obtains permits but the homeowner can as well. Not everything requires a permit. You can either go downtown to the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development or go online. There is lots of information available through Client Assistant Memos, referred to as CAMS. They can be downloaded. I applaud your effort in looking into this...more homeowners should when they are planning projects!

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Diana,

I'll take any compliments I can get, but I am just nosey and opinionated.

I have seen beautiful concrete work by Merlino guys, and I have seen amateur work by the homeowner on my block whose efforts are now crumbling.

Is a concrete driveway similar to electrical work on a homeowner's property? In other words, can the concrete driveway be done by the homeowner as I know electrical work can be done by the homeowner?

If that is the case, then I think Merlino concrete guys' side work would be the "gold standard."

Posted 3 years ago #
No More Same Old Same Old
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Scott B. - Yes, just like electrical work, a driveway on private property can be constructed by the homeowner. But as you have observed, the work done by homeowners can, and usually is, less than stellar. Dianna is spot on in mentioning that homeowners should speak with DPD before embarking on any construction project.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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you should also avoid hiring "side work" guys - are they insured? bonded? are they just going to take your money and you'll never see them again? I would be wary of hiring anyone who is not licensed and bonded.

Support small local businesses!

Posted 3 years ago #
Diana
Member Profile

Thanks JenV! My point exactly. If you hire someone who does side work you are at risk. If the job is done poorly what is your recourse? There is no license, no insurance, there is no bond. There is no warranty. Who would you go to? Small claims court. What would the court say when you acknowledged that you hired someone who was "working on the side." What if the worker is injured? They are not covered by Workers Comp. Would your homeowner's insurance cover you if you were sued? The underground economy serves no one. There is a huge social impact to workers, employers, tax payers...indeed...support local businesses!

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Diana,

If it is true that a concrete driveway can be permitted and constructed by the homeowner, then I still think that a Merlino employee who does side work is worth considering.

It is unlikely that the job would be done poorly.
It is unlikely that the worker would be injured.

If anyone is curious about why I mentioned Merlino employees, the answer is easy. They do the majority of the City of Seattle's concrete sidewalk work.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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isn't Gary Merlino the guy with the big mansion south of the ferry dock? the one with the illegal bulkhead that he poured himself with no permit- and the city can't or won't do a thing about it. Yes, Merlino does all the city's concrete work - he has a monopoly on it. And I seriously doubt any of his employees would risk their job by doing side work off the books.

Again, anyone who hires someone who is not licensed and bonded does so at their own peril. Scott, you let us know how that works out for you.

If a worker is injured on your property, by the way, and he is not covered under his employers workers comp - he can make a claim under your homeowners insurance - and sue you as well if you don't have enough coverage. You would likely then get canceled by your insurance company.

Posted 3 years ago #
JimmyG
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JenV, you're correct on where Merlino lives (and that I wouldn't hire a guy working side jobs) but I fear your argument is like beating on a concrete wall for some folks here.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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JimmyG - agreed. although at some point, I would assume even the wall would listen to reason. :P

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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JenV wrote:
"isn't Gary Merlino the guy with the big mansion south of the ferry dock? the one with the illegal bulkhead that he poured himself with no permit- and the city can't or won't do a thing about it."

I do not defend Gary Merlino's actions at his house. I devoted approximately thirty seconds to searching the Seattle Times internet archives to save you the time. Here is a URL for a Seattle Times article from 1996:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960725&slug=2340957

"Yes, Merlino does all the city's concrete work - he has a monopoly on it."

I don't know whether or not Merlino Const. does all the City's concrete work. They seem to do most of it.

I doubt Merlino Const. has a monopoly on the City's concrete work. Merlino Const. has specialized in City of Seattle concrete sidewalk work for decades, with a resulting competitive advantage for that work.

"And I seriously doubt any of his employees would risk their job by doing side work off the books."

Perhaps I should explain what I meant by a side job: work that a person does during his time off, when he is not working at his regular job. One homeowner's driveway is too small a project for a contractor like Merlino Const. to bother with. Your "off the books" reference is "out of left field."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_fielder#.22Out_of_left_field.22

"Again, anyone who hires someone who is not licensed and bonded does so at their own peril."

A sense of scale would be useful.

"Scott, you let us know how that works out for you."

If you scroll back through this thread, you may notice that crash asked for recommendations, and I offered a recommendation. You may notice that I did not state that I am interested in hiring someone.

I don't care who crash uses for his/her concrete work. Do you, JenV?

I do not feel compelled to obey your command.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
Member Profile

but you feel compelled to salivate all over Merlino's concrete work and persist - over and over again- in recommending his workers for side jobs...I am done beating my head against this particular concrete wall. Good luck Crash! I am certain you will find someone good- licensed, bonded and wholly on the up and up.

compelled to obey my command...ok, buddy. you do know that makes no sense, right? I don't recall making any particular "command" to you- but if that's what the voices are telling you then by all means, ignore my commands. hehehehe.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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JenV wrote:
"Scott, you let us know how that works out for you."

That does not look like a request to me.

Posted 3 years ago #
Trisket
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mee-owwch!

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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Trisket wrote:
"mee-owwch!"

Please share with me what you were trying to communicate.

Posted 3 years ago #
west seattle golfer
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Crash, as an alternative, have you considerd putting in a 'green' driveway?

<i>"there are two main approaches:
1) creating a driveway that is literally ‘green’ with vegetation, and 2) using some form of porous concrete or asphalt.

Both of these options have the advantage (over traditional driveway paving) of allowing rain water to drain into the ground, thus helping to remove pollutants and lessening the burden on storm sewers and local water bodies. The vegetative option has the added advantage of eliminating (or at least greatly reducing) the ‘heat island’ effect associated with paved areas, not to mention offering a certain natural aesthetic appeal." </i>[sic]

Also, the City has started charging a higher drainage fee depending on the perviousness (is that a word?) of your pavement (http://www.seattle.gov/UTIL/Services/Drainage_&_Sewer/Rates/DrainageRates/RateSchedule/index.htm)

Links to a couple of articles:
- http://www.ecosherpa.com/green-construction/green-options-for-your-driveway/
- http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/04/garden/04room.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Posted 3 years ago #
Eggbert
Member Profile

Is this thing still going? Crash, have you replaced your drive yet? I've been finishing concrete for 18 years and I live in Highland Pk. I'm at 352-7310, or http://www.gregsconcrete.com.
Concrete finishers don't have to be licensed, but a bit of experience makes a huge difference on the outcome. I always say its a one shot deal, one step forward and 50 back to redo it. You only need a permit for city sidewalks and drive approaches, or for structural foundation walls. Steps, walks, retaining walls or even that slab in the garage or basement don't need one, unless there's new plumbing under there. Also, pervious concrete sounds neat, but its tough to install, not as strong or lasting or looks as good, so maybe use pavers that let grass grow thru if you like that idea.

Posted 3 years ago #