5 Things to Know When Choosing Local Paving Contractors

When you drive around town, you probably take all the asphalt that makes your rides smooth for granted. But the fact is, it takes some real experts to pave asphalt in such a way. You won’t get these kinds of results with just any contractor.

If you need any asphalt paving done soon, make sure you choose the right company for the job. Here are 5 things to know when choosing local paving contractors.

1. Check Their Reputation

You should go with a paving contractor that has a stellar reputation. It’s easy to check reviews on sites such as Google, so make sure you make you don’t skip this step. Reputable companies will not be shy about their testimonials.

For example, this paving company has plenty of great reviews and proudly displays its Facebook, Yelp, and Google pages on their website. If the contractor you’re interested in is strangely quiet about their reviews, take it as a red flag.

2. Find out What Equipment They Have

The best paving companies won’t pave asphalt by hand. While experienced professionals can do this, they cannot match the quality produced by asphalt paving machines.

These machines are very expensive; if the contractor you’re interested in has one, that’s a good sign. This means they have the funds, skills, and understanding that a machine is necessary to produce exemplary work.

3. See if They Have Good Insurance

Unexpected accidents may happen on the job, and you want as much protection as possible if they occur.

At a minimum, the paving contractor you’re looking at should have general and auto liability and worker’s comp. They should also have an umbrella policy for the best coverage.

4. Always Get Written Quotes and Contracts

It’s vital you get any pricing in writing instead of verbally. Without something written down, the contractor can always go back on their word.

A written contract also serves as protection once the job is done. You can use it as a checklist; if anything isn’t done, speak up and get the paving contractor to deliver on what they promised.

5. You Shouldn’t Pay a Down Payment

Any established paving company should be able to get the funds for materials on their own. If they ask for a down payment, you should be wary. It’s not unheard of for some contractors to misuse those funds.

The exception to this is if you have a big job that costs over $10,000. Here, it’s reasonable for the contractor to ask for some insurance on the job.

Choose Reputable Local Paving Contractors

With our 5 tips, you now know how to choose the best local paving contractors. When you take the time to do some research and work through a shortlist, you’ll have a better time in the long run. You won’t end up with a mediocre job that needs to be redone by another contractor, so you’ll save both time and money.

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