Getting your driveway, patio, or pool deck paved is no joke. Ideally, you want the change to last decades at least and give your home a fresh new look. There are so many things to consider, but everything flows into place if you choose the right paving company.
That’s why we have prepared this brief guide to help you choose the right paving company near you. Once you’ve gone through it, you will be empowered to make a decision.
1. Ask Around
The first thing you should be doing is asking friends, family, and neighbors who did their driveway. There’s nothing better than first-hand experience when it comes to judging a contractor. You will get the full report from how fast the task got done to how nice they were at their last repair or maintenance visit.
With this information, you can choose companies that have left good impressions on your loved ones. Knowing that they have your best interests at heart while advising you only increases your confidence.
2. Check Online Customer Reviews
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, now it’s time to check for online customer reviews and testimonials. If there are a lot of conflicting reviews, try to look out for repetitive negative comments. A single bad review could be a one-off, but several of the same problems are real issues.
If you cannot find any online reviews of the company or a few companies around you have an online presence, you can call them and ask if they have any testimonials. You can also request that they send you pictures. It might even be possible for you to inspect a home they had previously serviced to see their work firsthand.
3. Evaluate Experience
Don’t put your driveway in the hands of a novice. Be sure that whoever does the work has several years of experience and is reputable in the area. While it is nice to encourage newcomers, you could end up with a badly done driveway that will be costly to repair or redone.
4. Choose the Material Beforehand
Some contractors specialize in paving some materials, while others specialize in other materials. This is good because that means they know the ins and outs of the material they work with. So before you go out looking for a paving company, choose the paving material beforehand.
Each material has its perks. Asphalt is quick to install and cheap, while cobblestone lasts centuries and increases a home’s value. It is really a balance between what you’re looking for and how much your budget is.
5. Inquire About Their Additional Services
Is your relationship with the contractor done once the job is done, or do they have additional services? For example, asphalt is durable, but it can form cracks in a couple of years which is fixable with some maintenance. Ask yourself if the paving contractors offer any maintenance services.
It’s always better to have the same contractor repair or maintain whatever you have them to do for you. Offering additional services means they are well-versed in the job and ready for anything.