Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for concrete contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Paradigm Concrete & Construction, Inc., the key to keeping clients happy is simple: take a detail-oriented approach to their projects to ensure they get exactly what they want. “We have very high standards for our work, so we always pay attention to details that most people wouldn’t even notice, like setting forms to match score lines,” says owner Salvador Arteaga. “We’re always making adjustments so we can provide our clients with the best possible concrete work.”

Paradigm Concrete & Construction has been providing concrete and masonry services for residential and commercial clients in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties since 1995. The company installs and replaces everything from sidewalks and driveways to patios and pool decks, and it also utilizes its C-8 specialty license to work with materials like exposed aggregate, slate, tile and brick.

Unlike less experienced concrete contractors that take an “assembly line” approach to each job and sacrifice clear communication as a result, Paradigm Concrete & Construction takes the time to keep its clients informed throughout every step of their projects. “We always keep open lines of communication with our clients so we can update them on our progress and show them things we discover during the course of our work,” affirms Mr. Arteaga. “They really appreciate that because it proves we’re focused on quality.”

Ultimately, Mr. Arteaga sees Paradigm Concrete & Construction’s honesty and transparency as its most important attributes. “We’re always honest with our clients—if they want to do something that isn’t in their best interests, we’ll let them know,” he explains. “We would rather have that conversation than provide something they won’t be happy with in the long run. They trust our experience and know we’re going to work hard to ensure their satisfaction.”

If you’re looking to install new concrete on your property, consider taking a fresh approach with colored concrete.
Gray driveways, sidewalks and patios used to be the industry standard, but with today’s colored concrete products, property owners now have virtually unlimited options when it comes to installing new concrete. Earth shades like brown and tan offer a neutral look, while vibrant colors like red, green and blue can show off the adventurous side of a property.

Colored concrete can even help property owners save money and still get the custom looks they desire by mimicking more expensive materials like flagstone, brick, and pavers. You can also attain a more natural look for patios and walkways by having a concrete contractor install new concrete that has colors, patterns or details that naturally blend into your landscape.

Once you’ve reviewed your color options, you can choose from dozens of textures and finishing techniques to further customize your new concrete. These may include brushing, sandblasting, adding aggregates or colored stones, swirling and ingraining different patterns into the color overlay, creating certain designs, and even giving the concrete a multitone appearance. Colored concrete also serves a functional purpose—it’s more likely to hide oil stains, cracks and other flaws that occur with age.

Regardless of its quality, all colored concrete starts to fade over time. Black concrete tends to fade fast and turns into plain colored concrete within five years, while more pastel shades of concrete hold color better and last longer. Keeping your colored concrete looking like new is dependent on three things: periodic washing, resealing and recoloring. The first sealant should be applied a couple of weeks after the concrete is poured. It’ll help prevent the concrete from staining, keep its “wet” look and seal in the color to stop it from fading.

Q: How long will it take to complete my job?
A: Small projects average one to 10 days from start to finish. Large projects depend on the scope of the work.

Q: Do you handle drainage issues?
A: Yes, we can take care of surface and underground drainage problems, including waterproofing outside foundations.

Q: Will my concrete crack?
A: Unfortunately, all concrete will crack due to its composition, which causes it to shrink as it dries. You can slow the process by watering it as it cures—five to six times a day for at least 28 days, depending on the weather. The hotter it is, the more water you need. That being said, we always use steel to strengthen our concrete and minimize shifting.

Q: How thick will my concrete be?
A: For sidewalks, patios and walkways, the average thickness is four inches. Driveways average four to six inches.

Q: Can I stay in my house while the foundation is being replaced?
A: It’s safe to stay at home during the project, but you should be aware that it will be noisy.