Having a properly paved driveway, parking lot, or road is part of what adds to the basic functionality, aesthetics, and maintenance of your property value. Quality results from paved pathways depend upon selecting a contractor with experience, as they will know how best to address challenges and solve solutions for your specific project. Established asphalt suppliers and contractors tend to be more accommodating of customer feedback and can provide clear estimates of timelines and costs.
In this blog post, we’ll provide tips on how to find, evaluate, and select the best asphalt contractor for your paving project.
We’ll cover what questions to ask, the essential factors to think about before you hire potential contractors, including looking at their experience, background, and qualifications, comparing bids, and asking the right questions to choose the right paving company for your needs. With the right contractor, you can ensure your asphalt surfaces will be smooth, durable, and enhance your property. Let’s jump in and find out how to pick the perfect paving partner for your upcoming asphalt project.
Experience
Asphalt is an adaptable building material, offering endless construction opportunities. Asphalt can be used to construct roads, driveways, parking lots, running tracks, and athletic courts; professional installers should be hired for optimal installation results. Find one in your area that has experience installing asphalt correctly.
Ask contractors for references from past clients as well as websites showcasing past work; seeing how projects were completed will give a good indication as to their ability to meet your needs on time and within budget.
Reputable asphalt companies possess large-scale, specialty equipment that’s in good condition and ready for use. Avoid fly-by-night contractors without their own equipment, as these could use inferior materials or cut corners to stay under budget. A quality contractor should also be happy to explain their process and answer any of your queries; such openness indicates you’re dealing with an authentic business.
Equipment
It is vital that any asphalt contractor you hire possesses the appropriate equipment in order to successfully complete your project on time, within budget, and with high-quality results. Furthermore, using an asphalt company with experience handling various-sized projects would be ideal.
Request references and make contact. This will give you an accurate picture of their business practices and professionalism level, plus give an opportunity for customer reviews online and feedback to surface.
Your asphalt company should own their equipment rather than rent it from third parties, since renting can increase project costs significantly. Furthermore, contractors that own their equipment are more likely to provide accurate quotes and have the right machinery in order to complete projects efficiently and safely. A warranty should also be available.
Licence
Asphalt contractors require a licence in order to work in the construction industry, which you can verify by reaching out to your local licencing board or searching online reviews. A licence provides important assurance that you’re hiring qualified asphalt suppliers capable of handling projects safely and professionally.
Before hiring any contractor, be sure to verify their licencing and insurance. Inquire for an estimate beforehand, as this will allow you to compare quotes and prices from multiple contractors.
An experienced asphalt paving contractor will be able to answer any queries about your project, provide industry terminology education and outline a timeline for its completion. They’ll also offer solutions for any problems, such as drainage or slope issues, that might arise during their work.
Insurance
Finding an asphalt contractor to ensure a successful project is key. Make sure your chosen professional has appropriate insurance to cover any accidents or damages during construction; look for information about their policy on their website or ask when meeting them face-to-face.
Before hiring any asphalt contractors for your asphalt project, make sure they possess both workers’ compensation and liability insurance policies. While cutting corners to save money may seem appealing at first, doing so could create serious legal complications down the line.
Determine their length of experience in business and review online reviews from previous clients. Also inquire as to the equipment used and its condition; generally, contractors with their own large-scale paving equipment tend to provide better service with competitive pricing due to reduced rental and leasing fees compared with renting or leasing contracts.
8 Questions to Ask When Hiring an Asphalt Contractor
Finding a trustworthy asphalt contractor is essential to the longevity of any pavement project. A professional can explain exactly how their services will help, what work will be completed and why.
Look for established pros with years of experience who can provide testimonials from past clients, business licences, and insurance information as proof.
Are you licenced?
If your contractor cannot produce verifiable proof that they are licenced, insured, and bonded, then consider hiring another. An established asphalt contractor will gladly explain their process as they prepare an approach tailored specifically for your project, as well as address any queries about terminology within their field of expertise.
Search for contractors that pay careful attention to detail when working with asphalt, which requires precise techniques for optimal results.
How long have you been in business?
Experienced companies typically boast excellent track records in terms of reputation and community commitment and should provide some indication of whether or not they’ll still be around to address any post-project concerns or needs that might arise.
Be wary of contractors who refuse to give references and feedback from past clients; reliable asphalt companies will be more than willing to share these details with you.
What is your warranty?
At the outset of any asphalt paving project, it is vitally important to understand all of its details. When speaking with potential contractors about your paving endeavour, ask about steps involved and timing; this will enable you to manage the business during and plan for potential disruptions that may arise during its execution.
Established pros have the advantage of experience and can likely offer warranties on their work that come backed by satisfied client testimonials. Unfortunately, they may also be more expensive than newcomers looking to make a name for themselves.
Are you insured?
No matter the service you require—whether asphalt repair, paving services, crack filling and pothole patching or crack filling and pothole patching—you want a contractor who is insured, which means being able to show proof of both commercial general liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation coverage.
Insurance covers contractors and their employees against workplace injuries. If they refuse to show proof of these policies, it would be wiser to go elsewhere.
Do you own your equipment?
Hiring a contractor is an investment, and to protect that investment properly, it is vital that you select one who is reliable and experienced with asphalt construction. Experienced asphalt pavers should have proper equipment to do their tasks. By asking if the contractors have their own equipemnt you can better estimate if they know exactly how to complete jobs that last, which can give you confidence that they can deliver quality results that meet or surpass expectations.
If they are loaning equipment this may become a liability as it adds to the final costs of the project.
Do you have a website?
Contractors should welcome sitting down with you and discussing all aspects of your project, providing an estimated timeline, and explaining technical terms. Avoid contractors who appear reluctant to do this.
They should also be willing to provide pictures of previous work they have completed, if available, or tell you where you can view past projects online. Usually, contractors who regularly complete work in your region have pictures posted of past projects online.
Are you available asap?
Asphalting your property can be an expensive endeavour, so it is wise to hire professionals who offer quality workmanship and great customer service. Before selecting contractors, ask when they are available so you can know the timeframe of the task as well as how the asphalt contractor’s service operates.
Experienced contractors have developed key techniques for producing top-quality asphalt projects, and selecting such an experienced provider will ensure your asphalt project runs smoothly and lasts decades longer than planned.
Do you have references I can check?
Reputable asphalt contractors will readily share positive references from past projects that mirror your own. If an asphalt contractor refuses to give these references, this should raise red flags.
Take time to reach out and visit these clients in person so you can assess the work performed. Also, take note of any reviews online, as this may provide valuable insight into a contractor’s integrity and quality of work performed.