Concrete Truths Part 2: How the Concrete Game Is Changing — And What That Means for You

In Part 1, I told you the truth: Concrete is here to stay—and the opportunity in this trade is real.

But let’s not sugarcoat it. The game has changed.

Back in the day, if you had strong hands, a good eye, and knew how to finish flat—you were golden. Word of mouth brought in steady work, you cashed your checks, and you got after it again the next day.

But today? You’ve got to be more than just a good finisher.

The contractors who are making real money, building real businesses, and creating long-term success—they’re thinking bigger. They’re doing more than pouring concrete. They’re running companies.

You Still Need Skill—But You Also Need Strategy

Look, no one’s hiring a guy who can’t finish a slab. You still need that technical edge. But if you want to make a living that supports your family and builds wealth—not just wages—you’ve got to learn how to:

✔ Estimate accurately
✔ Bid jobs with profit in mind
✔ Schedule and manage crews
✔ Communicate with clients like a pro
✔ Track your costs and manage your margins

And maybe most importantly—you need systems.

Systems = Freedom

When you’re just chasing the next job with no process, everything feels like a scramble. One rain delay, one late crew member, one bad material delivery—and your whole week’s thrown off.

But if you’ve got systems in place—how you estimate, how you invoice, how you order materials, how you manage time—you’re suddenly in control. You’re not just reacting… you’re leading.

That’s how you scale.

That’s how you go from working in the business to working on it.

Embrace the Tools (Even If You're Old School)

I get it—tech can feel overwhelming. Most of us didn’t get into concrete work to play on apps. But I’ll tell you what: some of the smartest contractors I know are using simple tools to streamline everything.

• Drone footage to show progress and boost marketing

• Estimate software to quote faster and more accurately

• Time-tracking apps to manage labor costs

• CRM tools to keep clients happy and projects organized

These aren’t gimmicks. These are the tools that help you do more with less stress.

It’s Still About Relationships

Don’t let the tech fool you, though—this is still a people business. Show up when you say you will. Do the job right. Respect the client’s property. Communicate clearly.

You’d be amazed how far that alone can take you.

Up Next: Building a Business That Lasts

In Part 3, we’ll dive into what it really takes to go from a one-man crew to a real concrete company. We’ll talk branding, hiring, handling competition, and how to stop working job to job and start building something with staying power.

If you’re serious about growing your business—not just grinding in the field—stay tuned.

Until then, pour with purpose, and keep building like it matters.

Because it does.

—Rick