When searching for paving contractors, asking about their licensing and insurance is essential. This will help you avoid scams and work with a fully prepared contractor to handle the project. Maintaining a business’s parking lot and driveway is crucial for customer safety and appearance.
License
Hiring the best asphalt paving companies near me contractor can make or break your investment in asphalt paving projects. You want to ensure that you are working with a company with proper licensing and insurance and can complete the job within your desired timeframe and budget. You should also look into their past work and references and what type of materials they use. A reputable pavement contractor can provide an upfront quote and detailed proposal. This will give you peace of mind that you are working with a qualified contractor and are not being scammed. Beware of contractors who request full payment upfront or offer a quote that could be better to be true. Finding an asphalt contracting company with experience in various project sizes and types is essential. This will help them better manage timelines and budgets and handle challenges that may arise during the construction process.
Insurance
A reputable asphalt contractor should have general liability, workers’ compensation, and equipment insurance. These policies will cover any costs incurred if the paving company damages your property or an employee is injured. Under-insurance is another pitfall that you want to avoid. This occurs when a small business owner saves money by carrying less insurance than necessary. Under-insurance can be a financial disaster because if something goes wrong, the business must pay out of pocket before getting the coverage they need. A paving contractor may need other types of insurance, including commercial auto and professional liability. These optional policies can be added to the primary business owner policy (BOP). Workers’ comp is mandatory for any paving company that employs people, and equipment insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing any rented or owned equipment. The average paving contractor’s insurance costs about $60 per month or $720 per year for a $1 million general liability policy.
Experience
A pavement contractor with many years in the industry will understand what it takes to construct a quality asphalt surface. They will know that a successful project starts with proper grading and base preparation. They will also know that a driveway needs to be designed with a slope and crown of two percent or more to drain appropriately. Parking lot and driveway maintenance is a top concern for business owners. Cracks and unchecked fissures can become potholes that pose a safety hazard to customers. A well-maintained asphalt surface can improve a business’s image and attract new customers. A reputable pavement contractor can provide you with a list of satisfied clients. If they are hesitant to give you references, it may be a red flag that they are unreliable. Also, a contractor who asks for a total payment upfront before construction must be more trustworthy.
Reviews
In addition to checking licensing and insurance, you should also read online reviews of Asphalt Paving Companies. A lack of reviews could indicate that they could have a better reputation. On the other hand, if a contractor has many positive reviews, it could be a good sign. Avoid paving companies that don’t provide a contract upfront before work begins. This indicates that they are likely unlicensed and may even be a scam. This type of pavement contractor is often called a “gypsy paver” and will usually appear out of nowhere with a proposal that seems too good to be true. Remember that negative reviews are more prevalent than positive ones. Therefore, a good Asphalt Paving Companies will focus on capturing customer feedback before it has a chance to go online.
