How to avoid concrete scams and bad contractors in NB?

The best protection against concrete scams in New Brunswick is doing your homework before anyone shows up with a truck — most bad outcomes are predictable and avoidable. NB homeowners are most vulnerable in spring when the ground thaws and demand surges, and in late fall when unscrupulous operators target homeowners trying to squeeze in last-minute work.

The biggest red flags to watch for include door-to-door solicitation from contractors claiming they have "leftover concrete" from a nearby job. Quality concrete contractors in NB are booked weeks in advance — they don't knock on doors with surplus material. Similarly, be extremely wary of any contractor demanding full payment upfront, asking for cash only, or unable to provide a written contract.

Always request proof of general liability insurance and WorkSafeNB coverage before signing anything. A legitimate contractor will have these documents on file and won't hesitate to provide them. If a contractor says they're "covered" but can't produce a certificate of insurance within 24 hours, walk away. If something goes wrong on your property — a worker gets injured, a vehicle damages your neighbour's fence — you could be liable if the contractor was uninsured.

Check references seriously. Ask for two or three recent local jobs in Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, or wherever you live, and actually call those homeowners. Ask whether the project finished on time, whether the price matched the quote, and whether any issues were resolved professionally. A contractor with no verifiable local references is a contractor to avoid.

Get three written quotes before committing. If one quote is dramatically lower than the others, ask why — the answer usually involves thinner concrete, no air entrainment, inadequate base preparation, or a contractor who plans to cut corners on curing. NB's freeze-thaw climate punishes every shortcut; concrete that doesn't survive its first winter costs far more to replace than to do right the first time.

For any project over $5,000, have a clear written contract that specifies the concrete mix, reinforcement, finishing method, payment schedule, and warranty on workmanship. New Brunswick's Consumer Product Safety Act gives you some recourse for fraud, but enforcement is slow and imperfect — prevention is always better.

New Brunswick Concrete connects homeowners with local concrete professionals through the New Brunswick Construction Network. While we are a matching service rather than a vetting body, getting connected through a structured directory gives you a starting point with contractors who have established a local presence.