Asphalt surfaces are used for the front porches almost everywhere in North America. One reason for that is their endurance and durability.
It is even said that asphalt can survive for as many as 20 years easily without any extra effort. But there is a catch to good asphalt driveway construction. Finding paving companies that can create great asphalt paving driveways is hard.
To obtain long-lasting results for your driveway or parking lot, you’ll need to hire a professional paving contractor. That is what this article is all about.
Here are some of the best things to look for in a paving company when hiring one for your driveway paving.
But first, you should ask some questions to gain some clarity.
The first question being what type of paving companies you should hire to construct your asphalt driveway.
What Type of Driveway Do You Want?
Brick and concrete pavers are both robust and long-lasting. Slip-resistant rubber pavers are an excellent alternative for damp situations. That being said, natural stone, brick, clay, and other types of pavers add beauty and value to your home as well. You can also use limestone, flagstone, and fieldstone because they are also popular choices for pavers.
Finding the Right Paving Company for Business
Here are some of the best ways to find a paving company that is perfect for your driveway construction.
- Experience of Paving Professionals
Driveway and parking lot professionals have experience in laying a surface with accuracy and precision. They know what type of material is needed and how it should be laid on the ground.
This knowledge is not available to every paving company in the market. Experts who have surface laying experience can also save you money and reduce the overall cost of the construction of paving a driveway.
Moreover, the company that you hire should specialize in laying asphalt surfaces and should be familiar with the ins and outs of working with such material.
- Info About The Contractor
From where did you get the information of the paving company contractor? In most states, counties have a list of government-licensed contractors available. If you are looking for your driveway construction, you can hire companies from one of these lists.
That being said, paving contractors in your area should also have a tangible presence online. Since almost any company can have a presence online, is it reputable and trusted?
This company should have positive ratings available because that is the only way you can know more about the contractor’s work.
- Contactors Should Use Layman’s Terms
Hire contractors that are using layman terms to discuss the project with you. This is the only way you can learn about how the whole process of paving asphalt driveway works.
When specialized terms must be used, the professional should take the time to explain what they mean. As the customer, you should ask as many questions as you’d like before hiring a paving company.
A good, reputable company will be willing to answer your questions and provide thorough answers even during the decision process. This ensures that the company will be responsible post-construction.
- Client References Always Help
One thing to know about paving companies is that you can’t really know what quality a paving company can offer you. Paving company representatives may tell you that they provide great quality work. But every company representative does that, right?
So, the best evidence available to you is to get the reference of previous clients of the paving company. Talk to them or simply read their reviews on the BBB company list. BBB is the most prominent way to find trusted companies that offer products to their clients.
One way to find relevant references is by looking for clients who ordered work similar to yours.
- Quality of Asphalt It Purchases
Asphalt jobs are different depending on the material used for paving the surface. It depends on the paving company you hire for the driveway project and the material it uses for construction.
See, there are two things to note here. Asphalt quality directly impacts the driveway quality. If you want a driveway that doesn’t deteriorate easily with time, then you would want to invest in high-quality material.
- Design of the Asphalt Quality
The design of the parking lot and driveway are different. In a parking lot, the paving contractor needs to analyze your property and its daily usage. This ensures that the necessary depth of the asphalt is proper for the weight of the vehicles that will get parked over it.
Similarly, for a driveway, the company needs to analyze the full depth of the asphalt surface. Driveway asphalt jobs usually involve four inches of recycled concrete blend aggregate and two inches of asphalt for a complete solution.
That being said, you also need to know that commercial-grade asphalt is different from residential grade asphalt. The prices of both also differ.
- Drainage Plan for Paving Area
Water is the biggest destroyer of your driveway; if it is not properly drained, it can cause leakages and cracks that are hard to fill. Since driveways are built using concrete floors, they can’t be fixed later on with cement mix. This would mean recalling the paving company, and the expenses for the same can skyrocket.
Rain, washing of the paved area, and even floods can cause water to accumulate in a driveway.
That is why the driveway requires a complete drainage plan from the very start. The driveway should include a slope on either side or one side so that the water can slide on the tilted slope to one side.
Most experienced paving companies in Edmonton can offer better options for draining the driveway.
- Get Quotes from Paving Companies
Pricing is the next thing that should matter the most. When your paving company meets all the criteria in the checklist mentioned above, the next thing to focus on is the pricing.
It is always better to get quotes from multiple paving companies and then evaluate the pros and cons of each one. It will help you understand which paving company is offering you better rates for the construction of the driveway and parking area.
One thing to remember here is that going for the cheapest option is not always a good idea. Quality requires cost and quality labor that is experienced may cost you a one-time fee. But in the long-run, your total structure won’t require a lot more repair.
- Contracts Matter the Most
Once you’ve decided on the best paving firm for your home or business, it’s time to sign a contract. Never let the contractor persuade you that a contract isn’t required.
Contracts ensure that all the working conditions are written and properly documented. Most paving companies may not properly document the agreement, but this is for the client’s security. If the paving companies refuse, you can always look for other paving firms.
Key Takeaways from Our List of Paving Companies
- Focus on materials used and their thickness
- Analyze the total time frame
- Cost estimates and payment
- Don’t settle for the lowest
- Always bargain a better quote
- Always get everything written in a contract
Ready to Hire the Best Paving Companies?
A reliable, professional paving company can lay a surface on which you can rely for many years. Therefore, it is important to take the time to choose the right paving company, and the results will speak for themselves.
Conclusion:
We hope this article has helped you in understanding what to look for in a paving company.
If you need more information about paving companies, then you can contact us through the contact form.
