8 Things To Look For in An Asphalt Company Near You

With all of the options and potential costs involved, the search for the right local asphalt company can be challenging. To help, the experts at Diamond Solutions have put together their best tips on what to look for in an asphalt company.

8 Tips for Selecting The Right Local Asphalt Company

1. Confirm the Asphalt Company’s Licensing and Qualifications (Local Knowledge Matters!): Before considering whether an asphalt company near you is the right fit, it is important to know whether they have the legal right to perform work in the area. Different states can have wildly different license and permit requirements and navigating them can be difficult. The consequences of improper licensure can be expensive. A company with experience and knowledge in and of a region will know what they need to get cleared and how to make the process you experience as smooth as possible.
2. Check that Local Crews are Involved: A local crew is helpful for a project for many reasons. Relating back to tip #1, a local crew will know what licenses and permits are needed. Additionally, they will know how to navigate local weather, may have long-standing relationships with material providers, and will drive shorter distances to transport heavy equipment and machinery. All of these local benefits typically translate into a smoother and more cost-effective project.

1. Investigate the Experience and Reputation of the Asphalt Company: This is slightly more complex than it seems at first look. A company that started paving a few years ago may not seem to have the experience needed for the job, but they might have a desire to prove themselves and thus, put in greater effort to get your business. A company with many years of experience might initially seem like the way to go, but can be the wrong choice if the company has started to rely on its past work to speak for itself. In the end, the best choice is a company that has good experience, good (recent) reviews, and a demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service. In cases where there are a few good options, requesting multiple bids can help reveal which asphalt company is the pick of the litter. (Read our Complete Guide To Selecting a Commercial Paving Contractor for more tips).

1. Understand What Services an Asphalt Company Provides and Whether They Line up with your Practical and Budgetary Needs: The standard services offered by asphalt companies fall into the broad categories of paving and maintenance.
2. Under the umbrella of paving there is Mill and Pave, and Mill and Overlay. For both of these services, a mill is brought in to remove some or all of the top layer of asphalt. Fresh asphalt is then paved either on the base of the lot or overlaid on the remaining lower asphalt. The umbrella of maintenance services includes Asphalt R&R (Asphalt Removal and Replacement), Crack Seal, Seal Coat, Tack and Patch, and Striping.
3. Asphalt R&R is used to describe the service when badly damaged areas of asphalt are cut out and new asphalt is laid in its place. Crack seal is a rubber solution used to seal up cracks and keep the asphalt water tight. Sealcoating could be described as the oil change for a parking lot, ensuring the composite materials of asphalt are kept locked in by replacing the oil within the asphalt. This is usually performed one year after paving as part of routine maintenance.
4. Tack and patch is like an asphalt bandage that plugs up holes in the asphalt as a temporary fix. Striping is the painting for parking stalls, handicap stencils, drive lane arrows, and whatever else needs to be painted onto the lot.
5. It isn’t enough to know whether or not an asphalt company near you can perform these services. The company must also know what repairs are best for which types of damages. Sometimes there is no one “right” answer and the solution becomes a mixture of different paving and maintenance repairs- ensuring the needs of your specific lot are met.

1. Ensure the Asphalt Company Uses Top Tier Equipment and Quality Materials: Asphalt lots are a big investment, one that hopefully lasts for many years. It matters whether or not the asphalt company near you has the tools and material to maximize your investment. Older equipment is more likely to break down which will cause delays. Lower quality materials can cause the lot to degrade faster. Even good equipment can only do so much with poor materials and good materials may not be used to the fullest when applied with poor equipment.

In the initial phases of setting a project in motion, it might not seem that important if the asphalt company is a little slow to respond or you have to play a bit of phone tag. This becomes a big problem if you can’t get a hold of them when they have left equipment in your lot or deadlines have been missed without an update. Communication is a huge part of customer service in this industry and poor communication can be a red flag for lackluster service.

1. Ask About and Confirm Competitive Pricing and Estimates: Let’s say you’ve already identified an experienced, equipped, local team, with all the right permits, who can perform the exact services you need. Now you need to secure quotes and pricing for those services.
2. Pricing can be confusing for those not as familiar with the costs of labor, materials, and equipment in the paving industry. Thus, it is a best practice to get comparison quotes from a handful of asphalt companies that are in your area. These independent quotes will give you a better understanding of how much your job will cost.
3. In addition, it’s important to ask for detailed pricing with a clear breakdown in written form. This written breakdown will define what you are paying for and enable you to ask informed questions to understand where you might be able to save. Perhaps, for example, there is a smaller repair that isn’t vital, but for whatever reason will cost a great deal to repair. With the pricing in hand you can make an informed decision about whether or not you want to proceed with every repair you were considering.
4. Warranties and Guarantees: At this stage in the process (pricing), ask about warranties and guarantees. There are many variables when it comes to construction of any kind, and asphalt paving is no exception. Leveraging the contract and its warranties and guarantees, try to protect against variables creating unexpected costs to your organization. There should be protections from additional costs due to worker error, assurances that once started the work will be completed, as well as warranties for long lasting repairs should those repairs fail or degrade sooner than advertised.
5. Communication and Customer Service: Throughout the process of determining which asphalt company is right for you, it is important to analyze the quality of the communication and customer service you are receiving. As you interact with each asphalt company, you will get a sense of their responsiveness and professionalism.
6. In the initial phases of setting a project in motion, it might not seem that important if the asphalt company is a little slow to respond or you have to play a bit of phone tag. This becomes a big problem if you can’t get a hold of them when they have left equipment in your lot or deadlines have been missed without an update. Communication is a huge part of customer service in this industry and poor communication can be a red flag for lackluster service.

Have questions about your next asphalt project? Please contact us so we can provide you with an estimate or consultation that best serves you and your asphalt needs.

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Diamond Solutions has years of experience and knowledge working in various markets in numerous states. We pride ourselves on personable and professional customer service, clear and concise communication, honest and easy to understand estimates, and work completed with care and excellence, done to the highest standard with the best materials and equipment.