Need to pave or resurface your driveway or parking lot but don’t know where to start? It all begins with choosing the right paving company. The right company can make or break your project. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when making your selection:
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Is the company you are considering Licensed and Insured?
Cutting costs is part of running a business. However, some paving companies will cut costs by choosing not to carry insurance, or hiring subcontractors to complete projects. A company that is not licensed and insured can leave you with an unsatisfactory or unfinished project, or worse, with damage to your property that you or your insurance policy may be financially responsible for.
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Does the company have the right tools and manpower to complete the job?
Asphalt is the most common paving material for driveways and parking lots. It is relatively inexpensive and will last for many years if properly laid down. Unfortunately, we often see asphalt driveways and parking lots that have been improperly installed. Asphalt must be laid at a temperature between 275 and 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If this temperature is not reached when the asphalt is laid, the final surface will not get have the correct density and the driveway will have structural issues that present far sooner than if the asphalt were properly laid.
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Did you get multiple quotes?
The homeowner pays for the quoted volume of asphalt, but not all of it will be used. Since contractors pour the entire driveway or surface at once, they will estimate the amount of asphalt the project will take. This is an imprecise practice, naturally, it is better to have slightly more asphalt than slightly less. When contractors are inexperienced, lazy, or looking to make some extra money from a client, they will often overestimate the volume of asphalt necessary for a project. This ultimately costs the client far more, as asphalt cannot be returned once it has been bought. Getting quotes from multiple contractors can save you money, and you will get to compare the customer service of companies.
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Do they have references or recommendations?
Any reputable contractor has references or clients who would recommend the company to other potential clients. If a company does not offer these up front, ask! Hearing about the experiences of previous customers can provide useful information in deciding if you move forward with hiring a company. Additionally, if a contractor does not have any references to provide, avoid hiring them, as they may provide improperly laid surfaces that will need to be repaired or replaced in just a year or two, or may even take your money and never complete the project.
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Are they local?
Hiring a local company is helpful for two reasons; first, the contractors are from your area, and understand the conditions of the region better than large national companies will. Second, local contractors maintain prices! Big national chains can undercut the prices offered by local companies for a few years until all competition is gone, and then they raise prices to higher than they were before. In some areas, national companies have raise prices by 50% or more!
All of these questions will help you arrive at the right paving company for your project. We’re here to help you with any questions you may have.
