Alright, so you need some asphalt work done on your property here in Marysville. Maybe it's a new driveway, or you're finally getting around to repaving that old, cracked one. Good for you. But before you just pick the first name you see online, let's talk about how to hire the right crew. I've been doing this a long time with Absolute Asphalt Co, and I've seen it all – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
Questions to Ask Any Asphalt Contractor
When you've got a few contractors lined up, don't be shy. Ask them these questions. If they hem and haw, that's your first red flag, isn't it?
- How long have you been in business under this name? You want someone with a track record. New companies can be fine, sure, but experience really counts in this trade.
- Can you provide references from recent, similar projects? And don't just take their word for it. Call those references. Ask about the quality of work, if they stuck to the schedule, and how well they communicated.
- What kind of warranty do you offer on your work? A good contractor stands behind their work. A year is pretty standard for new paving, but ask what it covers.
- What's your process for site preparation? This is huge. If they don't talk about proper grading, drainage, and compacting the base, they're cutting corners. Especially here in Marysville, with our clay soils and wet weather, proper drainage is critical. You definitely don't want water pooling on your new driveway.
- Who will be doing the actual work? Your employees or subcontractors? It's not necessarily a deal-breaker if they use subs, but you need to know who's ultimately responsible for the quality.
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? This isn't optional. Period. I'll get into how to verify this in a bit.
What to Look For in a Quote
A quote isn't just a number. It's a detailed plan. If it's just a single line item with a price, toss it. Here's what a good quote should include:
- Clear Scope of Work: What exactly are they doing? Is it removing old asphalt, grading, base installation, paving? What thickness will the new asphalt be? What type of asphalt mix?
- Materials Specified: They should tell you the type and depth of the aggregate base, and the asphalt mix design.
- Timeline: When do they expect to start and finish? What are the key milestones?
- Payment Schedule: How much upfront? When are progress payments due? Final payment? Be wary of anyone asking for a huge percentage upfront.
- Warranty Details: Again, it should be in writing.
- Permits: Who is responsible for pulling any necessary permits? Often, for residential driveways, you don't need one unless you're changing drainage or impacting city right-of-way, but it's good to clarify.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
These are the signs that you should probably run the other way.
- Door-to-door sales or unexpected visits: