5 Questions to Ask Your Paving Contractor

Paving an asphalt driveway is no small task; it requires a knowledgeable contractor, heavy machinery, and a significant investment of your time and money. If you want a long-lasting driveway that you are sure to be satisfied with, you will need to do a bit of research to find the best paving contractor in your area. Asking potential companies these five questions will help you separate the good from the bad.

1. What is the scope of the project?

If you are gathering quotes from multiple contractors in your area, make sure that they provide you with a clearly-defined scope of work. If you don't know exactly what is included in their price, looking over multiple bids is like comparing apples to oranges.

2. Are you properly licensed and insured?

Never hire a paving company unless they have a valid contractor's license and proof of insurance. A contractor's license number is your first line of defense if something goes wrong; unlicensed contractors often disappear after a job is done. If your contractor doesn't carry general liability and worker's compensation insurances, you could be personally liable if anyone were to be injured on your property. Protect yourself by only choosing a contractor who is both licensed and insured.

3. Do you have any references or nearby jobs I can look at?

If a paving contractor tells you that they are the best in the world, don't take their word for it. Instead, ask them for a list of references; these people are much more likely to be objective with you. Any good paving company will happily provide you with a list of satisfied customers or show you some of their completed jobs nearby.

4. Do you offer a contract in writing?

If a contractor won't offer you anything more than their word, take this as a red flag. A gentleman's handshake is nice, but a written contract is what you want. Make sure that the contract lists the exact work to be done, the materials which will be used, the terms of payment, and a start and completion date. Look over this contract carefully and always ask if something is unclear.

5. Are you accredited by the Better Business Bureau?

For more than a century, the Better Business Bureau (also known as the BBB) has helped consumers find trustworthy businesses in their area. Choosing a paving contractor who is BBB-accredited adds an additional level of accountability and gives you peace of mind knowing that you are working with a reputable company. You can also see a history of their complaints and how they handled them by visiting the BBB's official website.

For almost 60 years, Roccie's Asphalt has provided Connecticut and New York homeowners with high quality paving jobs at an affordable price. We are fully licensed, insured, and have an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. If you are thinking about installing a new asphalt driveway for your home, call us for a free, no-obligation quote at 1-888-88ROCCIES.