Apples to Apples: Tips for Comparing Asphalt Companies
If you are in the market for a new driveway or parking lot in Naperville or one of the surrounding suburbs, one of the most important decisions is who you will hire to complete the job. There are plenty of asphalt companies in DuPage County, and it can be tricky to determine who to call and how to compare them when you get estimates. We’re here to help with our top tips for comparing asphalt companies.
1. Do Your Research Before Scheduling Estimates
Your time is valuable, so make sure to do your research before selecting who you will have come out to give you an estimate. If a company is going to charge you for an estimate, scratch them off the list right away. Many companies (Pave Tech included) offer free estimates for asphalt & paving services, so there is no need to pay someone just to get an idea of how much they would charge.
Look at the overall presence of the company online – review their website, Google Business Profile, and social media. You will be able to get a good feel for how they do business, what their customers’ experiences have been, and see project photos of their completed work.
Once you have identified 2-3 companies you think would be a good fit for your project, contact them to schedule an appointment. Do yourself a favor – don’t meet with more than 3 companies. Doing so will only make the ultimate decision of who to select even more difficult.
2. Prepare for Your Appointment
It’s important that you know what you’d like to have done prior to your estimate appointments so you can share the same information with each company. If you tell one company you want to extend the driveway and you don’t mention that to another, not only will the estimates not be based on the same information, but you also run the risk of not being satisfied when the job is completed.
Make a list of the questions you’d like to ask each company, so you remember to ask the same questions of each. Stuck on what questions to ask? Here are some to get you started:
· Who will be onsite the day of installation to oversee the job?
· How long do you expect the job will take?
· How thick will both the base layer and asphalt be?
· [If your job is a parking lot] Will your company stripe the lot or do you contract that to someone else?
There may be other questions specific to your situation, so be sure to jot those down so you don’t forget to ask them!
3. Compare Apples to Apples When Reviewing Estimates
When the estimates come in, look at them closely for details such as overall square footage of the job, thickness of the base layer and asphalt, and whether or not the edges are hand tamped. If one estimate is significantly less than the other(s) contact both companies to ask why.
We always tell our customers that we know we are not the least expensive option, but there’s a reason for that. We use high quality materials and are extremely meticulous in our installation. That care and quality means your driveway or parking lot will continue to look beautiful for years to come rather than needing to be replaced or repaired after just a couple of years. You may pay a little more now, but in the long run, it will cost you less to go with a quality company than one who cuts corners to cut costs.
Replacing a driveway or parking lot is expensive, so finding the right partner to ensure you make the best investment is critical. Pave Tech is owned by a 4th generation paving expert, and we are committed to exceptional customer service and precise installation. We would love to discuss your job with you – give us a call at 630.256.0258 to get started.