7 Tips on Hiring an Asphalt Paving Contractor
Pick the perfect paver
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A freshly paved asphalt driveway—free of cracks and potholes—can give your home’s curb appeal a big boost. To make sure the job is done well, you’ll want to hire an excellent driveway paving company. Follow these seven tips to ensure you pick the best asphalt paving contractor for your home and project.
1. Ask About Experience
When interviewing asphalt paving pros, ask how long they have been in business. Contractors with over a decade of experience will likely have a wealth of knowledge and be able to bring that expertise to your project. You can also ask about specific asphalt paving projects they have worked on—don’t be afraid to request a portfolio that showcases previous work. You should also confirm that they have worked on residential projects; some paving contractors might only have experience with commercial buildings.
2. Look Locally
Local driveway paving companies will cost less than ones far away, as they won’t need to add travel costs to your bill. In addition, hiring locally means investing back into your community. You might also be able to get some recommendations from neighbors, friends, and family members.
3. Check Reviews
Beyond asking for recommendations, be sure to check online reviews on Angi. See how the company responds to any negative feedback—are they defensive, or do they try and fix the problem?—and look for photos that other clients have uploaded.
4. Require Licenses and Insurance
This isn’t optional—your driveway paving company should have the proper licenses and insurance coverage to complete your project. And don’t just take their word for it—ask to see the documents. If they refuse to show them to you or balk at being asked, that’s a red flag.
The insurance coverage should state that you are not liable should damage or injury occur and should protect your contractor, the employees, and your home in case an accident happens.
5. Examine the Equipment
Confirm with your contractor that they have the right equipment for the project and that they own it outright. Contractors who need to rent or lease equipment might be subject to price fluctuations, and this could trickle down to you. Your contractor will likely need a skid steer, a motorized asphalt roller, and a paving machine.
6. Confirm Details With a Contract
A handshake is a nice way to greet someone, but you’ll want something more formal from your driveway paving company. A written contract should have all the details of the project as well as an agreed-upon final price, with payment terms stated clearly. It should also include any warranty information and guarantees.
7. Don’t Pick on Price Alone
The average cost to repave a driveway is $6,800, depending on size. If a contractor’s proposal includes a price that’s way below the average or other contractors you’re interviewing, that’s likely because they are cutting some corners. Significantly lower prices are usually because the contractor plans to skip a step or rush the job—neither of which will result in stellar results. Your driveway is a part of your home’s curb appeal—make the investment now to ensure it functions and looks the way you want it, for a long time.