What to Look for When Choosing an Asphalt Contractor

When you’re considering hiring an asphalt contractor, you may think you can just take several bids, then simply choose the lowest one. But this is not a recipe for success. The reality is that it’s important to vet asphalt contractor qualifications first, before the project starts. Read on to find out what to look for in an asphalt contractor.

Insurance

At a minimum, it’s crucial for your asphalt contractor to have insurance as required by state law. If they aren’t insured, you could be held liable for any accident that occurs on your property. The contractor should be able to show that they have general liability, auto liability, workers compensation and an umbrella policy. Asphalt contracting can be dangerous work, and you don’t want to be on the hook if there’s an accident.

Accreditation

One important thing to look for in an asphalt contractor is that they’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This is an organization that focuses on improving relations between customers and businesses. A contractor endorsed by the BBB must meet certain ethical standards. If you have any issue with this contractor—such as encountering bait-and-switch tactics or poor-quality work—then you can take your complaint to the BBB.

Experience

Every job brings a range of challenges. That’s why you want someone in your corner who’s seen it all. For example, if you have a residential project, you don’t want to hire a contractor who’s mostly worked in commercial settings. You want someone with decades of experience who brings that knowledge to your job.

Down payment

Except in instances where the cost of the project exceeds $10,000, you shouldn’t be required to give the contractor a down payment. A reputable asphalt contractor will have a line of credit with all their material providers, meaning they shouldn’t need a deposit from you. Providing a down payment to the contractor could risk that those funds will be misused. With asphalt work, as with so many things in life, you get what you pay for.

Reviews and references

Ask your neighbors who they’ve use in the past for driveway resurfacing and other asphalt projects, and take a look online at sites like Angie’s List and Yelp to see how customers are rating contractors. If you find that a contractor is consistently receiving four- or five-star reviews, then you can have peace of mind going forward.

Red flags

Trust your instinct. If you have a bad feeling after communicating with a contractor, you’ll likely want to go in a different direction. If the quote the contractor has given you seems way off, it’s important to shop around. It’s always best to heed any red flags before hiring someone to do work on your property.

We hope this guide to asphalt contractor qualifications has proven to be useful. At Maryland Asphalt LLC, we do it all, including driveways, walking paths, sports courts and more. We also offer a wide range of commercial services to keep your road and parking lot surfaces safe and clear. Give us a call today for a free estimate.

Categorised in: Asphalt Contractor