Pricing is a major factor when you are getting competitive bids, but if the bids are truly competitive, there won’t be much variance in the estimates you receive. So, tossing price aside, what do you look for in an asphalt paving contractor? In this post, we’ll cover five non-price-related essential elements to choosing a paving contractor.

  1. They talk back. The bids are in. Who was the most responsive while still being thorough? Who asked questions during the bidding process? Who was quick to answer any and all of your questions? These are good indicators of how the company believes in doing business. Responsive paving contractors who communicate well during the bidding process will be more likely to ensure that someone on their team keeps you informed during your project.
  2. They have some years under their belt. It’s not that newcomers will necessarily do a bad job, but they haven’t “seen it all” like paving contractors who have decades of experience. An experienced paving contractor will know how to minimize disruptions, handle unexpected situations, and navigate legal codes better than most.
  3. They have been there and done that. Driveways are different from parking lots, and they’re different from roads. Retail is different from hospitals and different from municipalities. Ask the asphalt paving contractors to give you references from previous customers in your industry that had a similar project to yours. Contractors should also be able to provide images of their work.
  4. They have the right number of (wo)men and machines. It can be hard to tell if a paving contractor is equipped to do your job, so compare bids. Often contractors will list the number of crew and man-hours required along with what equipment they will have on-site when they answer your request for bid. If not, ask. If anyone has a longer turnaround time, it may be an indication that they are understaffed or do not have the proper equipment to do the job.
  5. Gosh darn it, people like them! It can be a little extra work, but check out each paving contractor’s reputation. Some good reviews and testimonial sources are Google, the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, your local chamber of commerce, the contractor’s website, and Facebook page.

We hope that we have given you a little insight into what makes one asphalt paving contractor stand out among others. We think we check all the boxes, and we hope you’ll give us a shout for your next asphalt paving project. Get an estimate today!