Looking For Paving Contractors? Here’s What You Need To Know?
it’s very important that you look for reliable paving contractors. Whether you are working on a small or large paving task. Today, there are lots of such contractors out there. So, the question is how do you pick the best one? What makes a contractor better than others? Are you having a hard time deciding? If so, then make sure to keep reading.
We have compiled 7 important tips that you need to know when choosing the best paving contractor. But before that, here are the essential things that you need to know about paving contractors.
What is A Paving Contractor?
Paving contractors are professionals who focus on constructing surfaces like concrete floors, roads, sidewalks, and pavements.
A paving contractor specializes in either commercial or residential works. But some of them do both depending on the needed equipment and the project’s scope.
The vast majority of paving works are accomplished with the help of large equipment. For example, a paving contractor may need to use an excavator in order to prepare the earth for paving. And most of the time, they are utilizing a paving machine to smooth out freshly laid road surfaces. The contractor may also need to use a tractor or dump truck to haul asphalt, stones, or gravel or to carry excess waste products and dirt.
Nevertheless, here’s a list of the common services offered by paving contractors.
- Paving garages and bathrooms
- Laying paths and driveways
- Paving porches and pools
- Washing paving
- Driveway maintenance and repair
- Resurfacing
- Paving courtyards and patios
Certified Professional Services, Licensed & Insured
Attention To Details, Quality Assurance
Affordable Competitive Pricing, Prompt Quotes
Premium Customer Service, Prompt Responses
Tips for Choosing the Best Paving Contractors
The following are the tips that you may want to take into consideration when choosing.
- Ask about the experience of the contractor
Unfounded information is one great way of learning about a certain service or product. When you are looking for a paving contractor, make sure to ask your prospect about its previous projects or how it has been serving in this industry. You can also ask their previous clients regarding their previous experiences. If most of them give positive feedback, then it could be the best option for you. But if they are complaining, obviously, they had a bad experience.
Also, you can ask for their portfolios so that you will have an idea what are the projects they already have done. However, if your prospect contractor refuses to show any proof of its works then consider it as a red flag. Take note, professionals and reliable paving contractors compiled their works as they can use it to attract more customers.
- Check the reputation of the company
Usually, those who have enough experience in the industry have a good reputation. Simply because they won’t be able to operate that long if the services they offer are of poor quality unless they’re doing something that’s against the law.
Nevertheless, if you want to learn more about the reputation of the paving contractor you are considering, read honest customer reviews. If possible, avoid the testimonials found on their website. Rather, read reviews on other reliable review sites such as BBB and Angie’s list.
If the contractor has a low score, spend a few hours reading the negative feedback and try to ask the customer regarding their experience. Aside from that, you can also ask contractors for their opinion. Keep in mind that their experiences whether negative or positive, are surely the most accurate and honest assessments you can obtain.
- Check permits, insurance, and licenses
When looking for paving contractors don’t opt for one that doesn’t have the needed permits to do the job. Usually, this is a warning sign that the contractor doesn’t have the experience as well as the right skills to get the permits.
On the other hand, don’t choose a contractor who is not properly insured and licensed. Thus, before you hire anyone it’s highly recommended that they have all the needed licenses to operate. If a paving contractor is licensed it means it has a lot of experience and takes all the necessary training and educations to get a license.
Further, check if the contractor has complete insurance and not just the mandatory minimum. In fact, insurance is obligatory by the state law to protect every homeowner if accidents happen on the property.
If your chosen paving contractor doesn’t have insurance coverage like an umbrella policy, workers’ compensation, auto liability, and general liability, you’re responsible for any damage and injury that may take place on your site. That’s why you should only hire a contractor that is insured as it will save you from a lot of problems.
- Get at least 3 quotes for your project
When it comes to home improvement projects of any kind, getting quotes is highly recommended. For paving contractors, you will need to get three quotes. Even though you want to hire the contractor that your loved one or neighbor hired before, you will still need to get quotes to compare project inclusions, warranty, and price.
Inform every contractor that you are getting several quotes. Then set a time limit for the comparisons. Collect all the quotes and rank them depending on the initial meeting, price, the professionalism of the quotations, as well as other important things related to the project.
Also, when making comparisons, make sure that you check for discrepancies in the work.
- Keep an eye on the offered warranty
When looking for pavement contractors, make sure that the warranty they’re offering is accurate. Some contractors will offer you a warranty without giving any details about it. Make sure to look for a warranty that is well-written and has all the needed information.
Furthermore, ensure that you have an idea of what’s not covered and covered. Take note, an accurate exclusion list can be a great help.
Usually, a more expensive warranty is better compared to a low-cost one that doesn’t cover common damages. In fact, it’s another great aspect that you can use to check whether the contractor is honest and confident with the job he’s doing.
A lower or attractive cost doesn’t always mean that the deal is worth considering. If possible, look for reasonable prices that also reflect the work’s quality.
However, keep in mind that some paving contractors may offer low costs quotes but they’re not experienced. So be careful.
- Ask for a detailed contract
Today, a lot of companies have their sales pitch down perfectly. In fact, they can even fool even the most perceptive customers.
In order to protect yourself, before you signing any paper or giving a deposit make sure to ask for a written contract. The contract should contain the following information:
- Payment terms
- Warranty coverage
- The overall cost of the job including applicable taxes
- Project details
- Terms and Conditions
When the contractor gives you a contract, you need to read it carefully. Make sure that you will get what the contractor listed in the sales pitch. Outstanding diligence has actually saved a lot of homeowners from working with the wrong person, severe headaches, and lost investments.
When it comes to negotiating the terms of payment make sure that the final decision will support the two parties. A lot of contractors will ask for advance payments to pay the materials upfront or secure a position on the schedule.
You can pay the outstanding balance of your project once the job is completed. However, you need to check the finished project before giving the final payment. If the result doesn’t fulfill the details written in the contract, you can plea to the estimator and demand for proper completion.
- Ask for reference
Doing your own research before you approach paving contractors will save you both energy and time. When researching, you can ask for references from your colleagues, relatives, and friends. Also consider searching further to see whether contractors they are referring are reputable and knowledgeable.
Where is the Best Place to Hire Paving Contractors in the USA and Canada?
Always remember that the best and most reliable paving contractor is that who will give you a fair price and finish the job right.
If you are currently residing in Canada or the USA and looking for paving contractors, keep the tips mentioned above. In fact, when you take them into consideration you’re one step closer to a highly recommended contractor possible.
However, if you’re a busy homeowner and don’t have enough time to compare a lot of paving contractors then Local Services Helpline can help you.
With this website, you have nothing to worry about because they will do all the hard work. One good thing about Local Services Helpline is that it will connect you to a professional paving contractor. All of them have been serving this industry for several years. What’s more, they’ve already created a good reputation. When it comes to the pricing, you will not need to worry about hidden charges because all the costs involved in the project will be listed in a written contract.
Are you now planning to hire a paving contractor at Local Services Helpline? You can visit its official website at LocalServicesHelpline.com to learn more.