Your Free Estimate: What to Send and What Happens Next

Calling a contractor for the first time can feel like a pop quiz. What do they need to know? What should you have ready? Will they laugh at the state of your garage floor? The short answer to the last one is no. Worn, cracked and ugly surfaces are exactly what a resurfacing company sees every day.

A little preparation makes the first conversation faster and the estimate more useful. Here is a plain checklist for homeowners and small commercial owners in Grand Junction and the surrounding areas.

Start with the basics

Color Country Resurfacing offers free estimates. You can reach them by phone at (970) 250-9448, through the contact form on this site, or by email. The company says it responds to all inquiries and provides estimates within two weeks. Visits are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and the office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Since work is scheduled by appointment, it helps to let them know a few days and times that suit you, and to mention if someone else needs to be home.

What to send, step by step

• A wide photo of the whole surface, taken from a corner or from a window above, so the overall shape is clear
• Two or three close-ups of the worst areas: cracks, chips, stains, lifted sections or rough patches
• A rough length and width, even if it is only paced off in steps
• A note on the type of surface: patio, driveway, garage floor, pool deck, counter, vanity, tub or shower surround
• A photo, sketch or description of the look you want
• The colors you would like, or a picture of the house, cabinets or room the surface needs to match

You do not have to be exact. A phone photo and a tape-measure guess are plenty to start a conversation.

Tell them about trouble spots

Mention anything that worries you. A section of slab that has dropped, a spot where water always pools, a crack where one side sits higher than the other, a counter edge that is swollen or damp. These details matter because resurfacing is meant for sound surfaces, and the more the estimator knows up front, the more accurate the recommendation will be. Concrete leveling is included in the company's concrete work, so it is worth describing any uneven areas too.

Describe the job, not just the problem

A common mistake is describing only what is wrong. Try adding what you want it to become. For outdoor surfaces, that might be the look of flagstone, slate or sandstone, a stamped pattern, a broom finish for grip, or anti-slip additives. For indoor surfaces, it might be a granite or marble look on a kitchen counter, a new vanity top, or a refreshed windowsill or table.

Colors are customized and matched to your décor at no extra charge, and custom patterns can be created from a photo, a sketch or your own idea. The company can work on nearly any surface except metal. So if you are not sure whether your project is something they handle, ask.

What happens after you reach out

Once your message arrives, the company reviews what you sent and follows up. Because visits are by appointment, expect a call or message to find a time. During the visit, the surface can be looked at in person, and your ideas about color, pattern and finish can be talked through. You will then receive an estimate, which the company provides within two weeks of your inquiry.

A few practical notes. Estimates are free. If you want to know more about who will be doing the work, the company is licensed, bonded and insured, and references are available on request. You can also ask about its background: it is a certified Granicrete installer, an authorized installer for Aurastone and Ardex, and has 13 years of experience.

Questions worth asking at the visit

• Is my surface a good candidate for resurfacing, or is there a problem that needs fixing first?
• What finish do you recommend for the way I use this space?
• How would this surface handle our winters, wet areas or hot pots?
• Can you match the color to my house or cabinets?
• What should I do to prepare the area before you arrive?

Ready when you are

If you have a driveway, patio or garage floor that has seen better days, start with the concrete repair and resurfacing page at /services/concrete-repair-and-resurfacing. If it is a counter or vanity, see /services/vanity-and-countertop-refinishing. For tubs and showers, the page is /services/shower-and-tub-surrounds. Then pick up your phone, snap a few photos and call (970) 250-9448. The first step costs nothing, and you will have a clear sense of what is possible for your surface.