Don't Get Paved Over: Your Guide to Hiring an Asphalt Contractor
So, you're thinking about getting some asphalt work done at your place here in Falls Church. Maybe it's a new driveway, or perhaps your old one's seen better days and needs a full tear-out and replace. Whatever it is, you want a good job, and you don't want to get ripped off. I've been in this business a long time, and I've seen it all. Here's what I tell folks to look out for.
What to Ask Before They Even Quote
You're going to talk to a few contractors, right? Good. Don't just ask for a price. Ask these questions:
- How long have you been in business? A new company isn't necessarily bad, but experience counts a lot in asphalt. We've been doing this for years at Coastal Asphalt Solutions, and it shows in our work.
- Can you provide references? And I don't mean just one. Ask for three recent residential jobs, and then actually call them. Ask if the job was on time, on budget, and if they'd hire them again.
- Are you licensed and insured? This is non-negotiable. They need a Virginia contractor's license for anything over a certain dollar amount, and they absolutely need liability and worker's comp insurance. Ask for proof, and verify it. If someone gets hurt on your property and they're not insured, guess who's on the hook? You are.
- What's your process for this specific job? Don't let them just say, 'We'll pave it.' Ask about excavation, base preparation, drainage, asphalt thickness, and compaction. Especially with the clay soil we often see around places like Broadmont, proper base prep and drainage are critical.
- Who will be doing the work? Your crew or subcontractors? Some companies sub out everything. That's not always bad, but you want to know who's actually showing up and if they're part of the company you're hiring.
- What kind of warranty do you offer? A good contractor stands behind their work. Get it in writing.
Decoding the Quote: What to Look For
Once you get a quote, don't just look at the bottom line. A good quote should be detailed. It should clearly spell out:
- Scope of Work: Exactly what they're doing. Is it just an overlay? Is it a full tear-out and replace? How much excavation?
- Materials: What type of asphalt mix? What's the specified thickness of the base material and the asphalt layers?
- Measurements: The square footage or linear footage of the area being paved.
- Preparation: Details on grading, compaction, and any drainage solutions.
- Timeline: When they expect to start and finish.
- Payment Schedule: Be wary of anyone asking for a huge upfront deposit, especially cash. A reasonable deposit is fine, but you shouldn't pay in full until the job is done and you're satisfied.
- Warranty Information: Again, get it in writing.
Red Flags You Can't Ignore
These are the signs to walk away:
- Door-to-door solicitations: