If you’re a business owner or manager, finding the right contractor to do business with is absolutely vital in getting your project done professionally, on time, and within budget. This is especially important when that project involves a large investment – such as pavement, for example. In this article, we provide some helpful tips on how to choose the best paving contractor for your business.
- Make sure to choose a local contractor. This is particularly important for paving projects. The local climate and weather conditions play an important role in how and when asphalt or concrete is installed and maintained. Only a local paving professional will be familiar enough with your climate to make these types of judgment calls.
- Look for a contractor who provides free consultations and estimates, as well as quotes that are complete and thorough with regard to the time and cost of the project. Any reputable paving professional will be glad to visit the site and discuss the details of the project with you before returning to their office to prepare your estimate.
- Ask the contractor what kind of materials they plan to use, as well as recommendations on what kind of pavement would be best for your project. You may have your own ideas about whether to use asphalt or concrete, for example, but an experienced contractor can provide you with a full list of pros and cons to help you make the best decision possible.
- Pay attention to the options presented by the contractor. You may think that you need to have an entirely new paved surface installed, but a reputable contractor will present other options if they believe that those choices may benefit you. For example, your cracked and faded parking lot asphalt may simply need to be repaired and sealcoated rather than removed entirely and replaced with new pavement. A contractor you can trust is one that will tell you that rather than encouraging you to go with the more expensive replacement option.
- Ask for examples of other projects they’ve completed. Nothing demonstrates the quality of work that a contractor provides better than actually seeing their finished projects.
- Don’t be tempted to go with the lowest quote. As a business owner, you already know that the old axiom “You get what you pay for” is absolutely true! Instead, gather quotes from a variety of contractors and make your final decision based not only on the quote, but on your assessment of the company using the tips listed above.
The first step in any paving project is to find the best contractor for the job. Start today by contacting a reputable, local paving company and scheduling an appointment.