HOW-TO... Choose a Paving Service

It’s true that no one pays much attention to smooth, well-maintained pavement. But when cracked pavement or pavement with potholes are observed, it is both an eyesore and a headache for businesses and homeowners alike.

Worn pavement can make your home or business look run down and uninviting. It can also damage vehicles and be downright dangerous, with cracks and potholes creating trip hazards for visitors to your property.

Getting started with a new paving job can be especially frustrating as costs including materials and labor can run into the thousands of dollars.

If you’ve been putting off a paving project because you don’t know how to go about getting started or you are worried about the cost, a paving professional may be able to put your mind at ease.

Keep the following in mind, and call local paving companies to learn more about the price and process of updating your drive or walkway.

Process

Be sure that the company provides a detailed proposal outlining the type and compacted thickness of the material they will be using. Tell your paving company how the surface will be used. If you are paving a commercial lot, provide the company with an estimated traffic count accompanied with details about the heaviest trucks that might use it.

The best paving companies will have deep roots within your community. Climates and types of soil vary around the country and a local company with a great reputation will understand these details of your area. They will know what challenges various types of pavements will face throughout the year.

When choosing a paving company, remember the old adage: “You get what you pay for.” Many companies will take your money and then not deliver on the promised job. It pays to be a smart consumer. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Past Work

A knowledge of previous completed work can tell you a lot about a paving company. Request referrals from past customers. In particular, look for completed work that is similar to what you will need. If looking for pavement for your driveway, look for similar driveways the company has installed in your area.

Try to view jobs the company has worked on in the past. Do the edges of the driveway look crisp and clean? Has the surface held up? Whenever possible, ask the previous customer about their experiences during construction. Did the company finish the job on time and on budget? Were their expectations met?

Also, try to look for older work the company has done. The sign of a quality job is if pavement installed years ago has held up against the test of time. Insurance

For your protection, verify that the paving company is properly insured.

Many homeowner and business insurance policies don’t cover accidents that occur by contractors working on your property. Uninsured companies open you up to liabilities for any injuries or accidents that occur during construction.

Only consider using pavement companies with strong insurance policies. It will give you peace of mind.

Finally, follow the first rule of thumb when approaching any home-improvement project, especially when it comes to paving: Get at least three quotes on your project. Even if you have a favorite or recommended contractor, it’s smart to gather more quotes to compare warranty, price and project inclusions.