5 Things to Consider When Selecting an Asphalt Paving Contractor

Most commercial property owners prefer asphalt paving, over concrete, due to its quick construction, price, strength, and simplicity to maintain. It is no wonder asphalt is considered the most appealing and cost-effective choice of pavement surfaces today.

But remember that there are plenty of factors that can affect the outcome of an asphalt paving project. When choosing the right asphalt paving contractor, opting for the lowest bid is not always the best move.

You must consider the following factors so you can make a well-informed decision.

2. Material selection and thickness

Not all asphalt is created equal. Since most are recycled over and over again, asphalt has different grades, each with different percentages of the recycled material they contain. Low-quality asphalt can greatly affect the longevity and look of your pavement.

Make sure that the contractor you choose only makes use of high-grade asphalt as this contains less recycled materials. This will increase the life of the pavement while reducing maintenance cost.

Ask, where the company is getting their material and what type of material they are using on your project and why?

If your parking lot has truck traffic, it’s important the material thickness is appropriate for the vehicle weight. Make certain the proposal states how thick the asphalt material will be after compaction.

3. Equipment and number of paving crews

Scheduling of your project can be delayed by weather, number of crews, and quality of equipment the contractor has.

Check if the asphalt paving company has a sizable team. Generally, an efficient asphalt paving crew will have five to eight workers. Being understaffed can delay and affect the outcome of the project. The more paving crews one has, the better it is for you. They can schedule multiple projects and get to them faster.

The newer the equipment, the better the finished product – and less delays due to mechanical issues. An efficient asphalt paving contractor makes use of the most advanced paving machines to ensure a long-lasting, great-looking asphalt pavement.

Over time equipment will break down. Does the company have enough paving machines, rollers and trucks to account for this?

4. Scope of work

Some scope of work documents can be unclear. If you are getting bids from different paving contractors, a clear scope of work document will make it a lot easier for you to compare the bids of each service provider.

Choose a detailed, accurate scope of work that meets your needs as this lays the foundation for an effective, durable paving project.

Things to look for:

• Total square yards or square feet
• Total thickness of the asphalt after it is fully compacted
• Is the area of construction or maintenance well defined?
• Are the repair methods the same? Are they patching, or are they milling?Understand the scope and items they are proposing. – an inexpensive repair could mean fixing it twice.
• Payment terms
• Items that are excluded
• How long will it take to complete? Number of days.

5. Insurance Coverage

Make certain you request to see that the company has insurance. They should give you their Certificate of insurance along with their bid or before they start the job. Always ask for it.

Warranty

A reputable contractor will stand by their work. Moreover, they make customer satisfaction their priority. A project warranty will ensure that the work is done to industry standards.

Warranties may vary depending on the project circumstances, so make sure to have all information in writing before the project starts. Asphalt installation experts may also provide tips to extend the life of your newly paved surface – follow their recommendations and your asphalt should last for several years.