As a business owner, you understand the importance of first impressions. The moment a potential customer pulls into your parking lot, they’re forming an opinion about your company. If your pavement is cracked and faded, that first impression isn’t likely to be a good one.
But finding a good paving contractor to give you that quality parking lot or driveway isn’t as easy as it sounds. With so many options out there, how do you know which one to choose? After all, a paved parking lot or driveway is a significant investment, and you want it to last for years to come. So, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right contractor?
Look for experience. When it comes to something as important as your company’s pavement, you want to make sure you’re working with a team that has ample experience. The last thing you want is for your project to be a practice run for someone who’s just getting started in the business. Ask potential contractors how long they’ve been in business and how many projects they’ve completed. If they’re new to the scene, see if they have any referrals from previous customers who were satisfied with their work.
Check references. After you’ve reviewed customer reviews and gotten an estimate from each of the contractors you’re considering, it’s time to check their references. Ask each contractor for a list of past clients who have had similar work done. Then give those clients a call and asks about their experiences working with the contractor. Were they satisfied with the work that was done? Was it completed on time and on a budget? Would they recommend the contractor to others? Checking references is a great way to get an honest assessment of each contractor’s work.
Check for proper licensing and insurance. Any reputable contractor will have the proper licensing and insurance in place before beginning work on your project. Ask to see their paperwork and double-check that everything is up-to-date. If they can’t produce the required documents, move on to the next candidate.
Make sure they offer a warranty. Once the job is complete, you’ll want to have peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected in case of any problems down the road. Most legitimate contractors will offer some kind of warranty on their workmanship. If they don’t, that should be a major red flag.
Get everything in writing. This cannot be stressed enough—make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing before work begins on your property! This includes a detailed description of the work to be performed, start and completion dates, payment terms, and anything else relevant to the project. Once you have everything in writing, read it over carefully and ask any questions you may have before signing on the dotted line.
Selecting a quality paving contractor doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what to look for. Just remember these tips: seek out experience, check their references, verify licensing and insurance, ensure there’s a warranty in place, and get everything down in writing before work begins. Do your due diligence upfront and you’ll be sure to find a contractor you can trust to get the job done right.
Have any questions about your paving project, contact Chris Paving!