When was the last time you hired a contractor—any contractor? If it’s been a while, you should keep in mind that times have changed. Some contractors nowadays either choose to cut corners or base their entire business on the “fly by night” model. It’s a good idea to ask your Maryland driveway contractor a few questions before hiring them. This helps make sure they are a legitimate company, easy to work with and can do a good job. But where do you start? Here are a few ideas!
Are you licensed and insured?
The first thing you want to check is whether your contractor has a license in your state and is properly insured. This helps eliminate scam artists and those shady contractors who “just have some asphalt left over from a job and could offer you a discount on driveway installation.” Insurance is another important thing any contractor should have in case an accident happens while they are working on your project.
Many driveway paving companies have this information readily available on their website, so you don’t even have to ask. You can also check the licensing information on the Maryland DLLR’s site by license number, contractor name or trade name.
How long have you been in business?
Needless to say, a company that’s been around for over a decade has earned its reputation and trust of the local community. This means these contractors have consistently produced great work, which is what you are looking for. 1-855-Got-Paving has been paving driveways since 1990, which is a long time to be in business!
Can you provide a free estimate?
Free estimates are fairly standard in the paving industry, however, they are not always written and sometimes offered over the phone. Without actually looking at your driveway, it will be difficult for your contractor to judge the scope of work. Plus, what you may say over the phone may not be entirely true, as it’s easy for a non-professional to misjudge the length of the driveway or the extent of the damage. You may think that resurfacing is all you need, but upon closer examination a contractor may suggest that repaving is your best option. So it’s best to find a contractor who will come out to evaluate your driveway before offering an estimate.
Can I see your work?
An experienced contractor who stands behind their work should have no problem showing you a few examples. In fact, they may have redone driveways in your neighborhood, so all you need to do is walk a few blocks and see for yourself. If for any reason actual references are not available or don’t wish to be contacted, your driveway contractor should at least be able to provide pictures of completed projects. Feel free to ask the contractor about what sort of work each project required—this will give you a feel for their process and approach.
How soon can you pave my driveway?
If time is of the essence to you, this is an important question to ask. If you’ve done your research and found a good, experienced contractor, chances are this contractor is very busy. Starting in March, many homeowners decide to do something about their driveways that got even worse during winter, which means you may have to wait for an available spot. On top of that, asphalt can’t be laid in rainy weather and requires certain temperatures to properly cure, so weather may cause additional delays. What we are trying to say is that if you need to have your driveway repaired or replaced, start contacting contractors now, because it may take some time until the work can be started.
Hopefully, now you feel better prepared to hire a Maryland driveway contractor. At 1-855-Got-Paving we have answers to many of these questions available on our website, so feel free to browse. And if you need any other information, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
