Just like hiring a contractor for your home improvement project, you should always start by researching to find the best paving contractor to hire. Always have an idea of the kind of paving that you need before you begin your search.
You know you need to find a certified and experienced paving contractor whenever you want your driveway paving done. However, there are lots of elements that could affect the cost and results of hiring a paving contractor. Is not always good to choose the bottom bid as the first-rate preference while choosing a paving contractor. Low costs can mean low quality sometimes.
This homeowner’s guide to hiring a paving contractor will assist you with the right knowledge to make a choice for a local paving contractor. As you know, well-installed paving can last for twenty years or even more. But to achieve such lengthy-lasting time in your driveway or parking lot, then you should give a certified, experienced paving contractor the project.
This information is provided by our paving company in order to educate homeowners on the best possible way to find reputable companies in their area. If you require a paving contractor in Arlington TX, then look no further!
Table of Contents
The Complete Guide to Hiring a Paving Contractor
1. Do Your Research
Once you know what type of paving you need, you should start researching paving companies online. However, you should make sure to pay special attention to their online presence. Once you find multiple companies online, make sure their business profile includes 5-star reviews and ratings from past customers. They should also have photos of their work previously completed.
2. Check For Online Reviews and Ratings
Try to read through different companies’ reviews and ratings on Yelp, their map listing in google, and Bing. But don’t jump for only companies with perfect reviews, or disregard a company with one bad review. Make sure to do due diligence and get in touch with the company on the phone to also ask what they’re all about.
3. Get 3-5 Quotes for Different Companies
Getting enough quotes from various contractors is what you should do when tackling any home improvement work such as your paving. Make sure to get a minimum of three quotes on your paving project. Don’t just use a contractor because they are the same company your neighbor hired. Receive enough quotes so that you can compare their warranty, pricing, and warranties.
4. Find Out If The Paving Contractor Is Insured
One reason for a contractor to offer you a decreased fee is that they are not insured. This can be hazardous for the paving contractor as well as the homeowners.
Note that when an accident happens, it can mean that your homeowners insurance will double or might even triple in charges for years to come. So make sure to avoid these hidden charges by finding out first if the paving contractor is insured.
5. Make Sure They Have an Online Presence
Most homeowners don’t want to hire a company who doesn’t have an online presence. Does the company have a website with pictures of previous work? Do they have a Facebook page or a Yelp profile? Do they come up when you search for them on the BBB?
Note that there’s a slight chance that a hiccup could happen while working on your project, and you don’t want a contractor that will include random hidden fees, react negatively or walk off the job. So having multiple good reviews and an online presence is a great sign.
6. Check If They Have Sufficient Crew
You should find out if the contractor has the right team for your project. Every typical asphalt paving company should have at least five to eight people on their staff for an efficient job.
Note that when a paving company is understaffed, it can negatively impact the final results of your asphalt paving project. This can postpone the project even further.
There are Many Factors to Consider When Hiring A Contractor
After having conversations and receiving quotes from various companies, you should have a better understanding of who you feel can give your paving job to. Just like any home improvement project, you should have a written contract together with the contractor.
Make sure that they’re not the ones solely dictating the terms of the project themselves and that you have some say in the matter. The written contract should include all aspects of the paving project, such as payments, scheduling, and all materials.
Signing The Contract
Before signing any contract,make sure it includes the following details:
- The paving contractor’s responsibilities, such as what exactly they’re expected to do
- A guarantee or warranty on the project
- The pavement thickness
- Project overall cost and payment schedule
- The time the job will take
As you know, there are various kinds of paving surfaces, which means that there are some questions to ask the contractor. If it’s gravel pavement then there’s not much question to ask. But if it’s concrete paving, then the questions to ask include:
- Find out how long you need to wait before the concrete cures
- Find out if you will be using control joints to reduce cracking on the concrete paving surface
- Find out if cracks do form over time, and how you can distinguish innocent cracks from those which show structural damage.
Hire the Right Paving Contractor for the Job!
Note that there are lots of paving companies that are willing to help you complete your paving project. This is why it’s very difficult for you to choose the right one for you. However, if you follow this homeowners’ guide to hiring a paving contractor, then you should feel confident enough in the choice you make. Just make sure to do some research for a certified contractor, and request multiple quotes.
