Spec your concrete job

Want a fast, accurate ballpark? Here is exactly what we need — gather this and we can usually talk real numbers on the first phone call.

• What is it? Patio, driveway, walkway, or sidewalk — and is there old concrete to tear out first?
• Rough dimensions. Length and width in feet. A tape measure and two minutes is plenty; a sketch on paper is even better.
• Photos of the space. A few shots from different angles, including where the concrete meets the house and where your downspouts are.
• The finish you are leaning toward. Broom, exposed aggregate, or stamped and stained.
• Drainage. Do your gutters dump anywhere near the new concrete? If so, say so — the pour is the moment to fix it.
• Access. Can a truck get near the area, or is it a wheelbarrow job? A photo of the path from the street tells us.