With so many seemingly reputable paving companies to choose from, picking out the right people to handle your asphalt project can be hard. However, there are a few simple factors that you can consider to pick out the winners from the losers, and we’ll acquaint you with the best ways to pick the right asphalt paving contractors for the job in this guide.
1. Check Their Credentials
The best paving contractors are those who have been in your area for a long time. Companies with deep local roots are beholden to their customers, and they go above and beyond to do great work because they’ll be driving on the roadways and parking lots that they make. The longer a company has been in business, the better.
2. Ask About Their Materials
Not all asphalt is the same. Asphalt made from inferior materials doesn’t last as long, and you could find yourself in need of a new asphalt paving job in just a couple of years if you don’t pick the right company.
If using recycled asphalt is important to you, however, make this preference clear from the start. High-grade asphalt contains less recycled material, which means that the most environmentally-friendly (and also usually cheapest) way to go is to use asphalt with high amounts of recycled materials.
3. Check Out Their Methods
If you’re considering hiring an asphalt contractor, take some time to learn more about how they do things. There’s more than one way to pave a road, and some types of paving equipment are better than others. Be especially leery of companies that claim to pave roads by hand; it’s always best to use newer, high-tech equipment that doesn’t break down as frequently.
Next, take a look at the asphalt laborers that the contractor works with. One compelling sign of a healthy company is an abundance of long-term laborers. If a contractor is able to retain the same workers over a long period of time, they’re offering something that other companies aren’t, and this factor can be seen as a huge indicator of overall success. On the other hand, the quality of the workers matters too; if a contractor continues to employ laborers who don’t do their fair share, there’s something amiss in that contractor’s business model.
4. Make Sure They’re Insured
While it’s always best if the question of insurance never comes into the picture, you don’t want to be stuck working with an uninsured contractor when push comes to shove. If a laborer is harmed on the job, for instance, you could be held liable if your contractor doesn’t have proper insurance, and you could also be left high and dry if an uninsured contractor messes up and damages your property.
It’s also important to make sure that your contractor is fully licensed and bonded. Without a license, asphalt contractors can’t operate in most states, so lack of licensing usually means that a contractor is illegitimate.
5. Ask Around Town
Lastly, get a feel for a contractor’s reputation before you work with them. If you’re considering hiring a local contractor, ask about their work from people who have retained their services, and don’t forget to check online for reviews from former customers. In many cases, you can learn everything you need to know about a contractor by checking out their reviews on popular platforms like Google and Yelp.
About Southern Asphalt Engineering
Southern Asphalt Engineering is the life’s work of paving entrepreneur Jose A. Franco, and this company has been paving asphalt surfaces in the Miami area for over 20 years. Offering comprehensive services that make it easy to work with one contractor instead of juggling multiple contacts, Southern Asphalt Engineering strives to always exceed customer expectations. To learn more about our services, request a free estimate today!