Do you have the right equipment necessary to pour and shape concrete? If the DIY YouTube videos and online tutorials make it seem like all you need is a bag of concrete mix, a mixing stick, and a trowel, think again - especially if your home improvement includes a larger area, such as a driveway, patio, or walkway.

Concrete contractors use a variety of tools to provide a precise, clean finish. Without the right equipment, your do-it-yourself job is likely to look unprofessional. Along with concrete itself, the contractor may use wheelbarrows, a portable mixer, shovels, floats (a tool used to smooth and level the concrete surface), groove cutters and edgers, saws, a plate compactor, power drills, and more.

While you could buy the equipment a professional uses, this will significantly add to your overall costs and make your would-be DIY job unnecessarily expensive. Not only will professional-level equipment add to your overall expenses, you may not know how to use the tools correctly. Read on for more information on why expert knowledge is another reason to choose a concrete contractor.

What is your concrete expertise level? If you're a novice DIY-er, leave pouring a concrete driveway, patio, walkway, or other project to the professionals. The contractor has in-depth knowledge of dry times, structural support issues, and how concrete reacts in different situations.

Unlike paint or carpet, concrete is a home improvement material that doesn't always come ready for use. This means you'll need to mix the concrete prior to pouring it. Even though a product's manufacturer might provide mixing instructions, it takes a professional level of expertise to get the just-right consistency. Failure to achieve that consistency could ruin your concrete project or lead to premature failure.

Along with expertise in mixing, the contractor also has the knowledge to properly pour, shape, and level your home's next concrete project. Without years of experience and training, it's not likely your DIY project will have the precision necessary to look professional or resist cracking and other types of damage.

Again, most novice DIY-ers don't have the extensive experience a concrete contractor has. Not only can this affect the look and feel of the concrete itself, but it can also impact other parts of the job.

Do you know what building permits you need or how to get them? If you don't, you're not alone. Most homeowners don't have this type of knowledge for one major reason - they aren't professional contractors. There's no reason for you to know whether you need a permit to pour a new driveway or not. This is something the contractor should know and take care of for you.

Beyond mixing, pouring, and pulling permits, the concrete contractor should also have the experience to anticipate and handle problems. Ideally your concrete project will go exactly as planned. But unexpected issues could arise at any point. If this happens, you need a contractor with the experience to make changes, think out of the box, and solve the problem without adding excessive costs to the project.

Does it seem like a DIY job will save you money? While you won't have to pay the cost of labor, you'll still have to buy equipment and materials. Beyond these added costs, the time it takes you to learn about concrete and complete the job is time taken away from your job and family. This can result in lost wages or added childcare costs.

Do you have a concrete project on your home improvement agenda? Contact Central Carolina Concrete for more information.