What to Look for in Driveway Paving
Most homeowners are not going to do the work on their driveway by themselves. This is a big project and one mistake can cost you a lot of money and will make the area look bad. The best option to help you through tis is to consider hiring a contractor to make the driveway look amazing. But with several contractors in the area, how are you supposed to know which one will bring your vision to life and give you the perfect driveway?
To help you find the right paving contactor to do your driveway, you will need to look at how long they have been in business, ask friends and family for recommendations on who they have used in the past, and look at some of their previous work. With a few contractors in mind, you should give them a call and ask for bids on the work they will perform. The company I used for driveway paving in New Jersey, Driveway King, advises that getting multiple bids serves as a good comparison tool, so you can make sure you get the right contractor for your new driveway.
Your driveway can help increase the curb appeal of your home and may even increase the value if you plan to sell it down the line. You want to choose a paving contractor who is going to do it right the first time. Let’s take a look at how you can compare these contractors and find the right one for your needs.
How to Find a Driveway Paving Contractor
You do not want to choose the first contractor who shows up on your radar when it comes to your driveway. There are likely a few different professionals who can take on this job, but only one will be right for your needs. Some of the things to consider when it is time to pick out your contractor includes:
Ask Friends and Family
A good place to begin your search is to ask friends and family who they have used in the past. If you know someone who has recently redone their driveway, then go to them. They can give you advice on who they worked with and whether this contractor was able to do a good job. They may even be able to discuss why they didn’t like some of the other contractor so you know who to keep off your list.
Look at Current Work
With a few contractors in mind, it is time to take a closer look at some of their current work. Most contractors are happy to show off the work they have done. You can check out their website, their portfolio, or even drive by some of the properties if they are not too far away, to see how they have done the work. If there is a particular style or material you would like to use, then it is a good idea to look at whether the contractor has been able to do that in the past.
See How Long They Have Been in Business
While there may not be anything wrong with a contractor who is just starting their business, many homeowners like to go with someone who has experience int eh field and knows how to handle any problems that come up. If this is something you are worried about, then you need to look at how long the contractor has been in business, Most contractors will let you know how many years they have worked on driveways and other projects so you can compare these numbers together.
Customer Service
You will need to call a few of these companies to learn more about them, ask for references, and to have them come out to do a big for your project. Pay attention to the customer service you receive during this time. You need to find someone who will work with you, answer your questions, and is polite the whole time. This contractor is going to be coming into your home and doing a lot of work, so you want to make sure you are comfortable with them.
Ask for Bids
Once you have a few contractors in mind, ask for them to send over bids to get the work done. Don’t automatically go with the one that is the lowest price. Look for the one that can provide the best value for what you need. You should compare between three to five bids to help.
Taking Care of Your Driveway
Many driveways can last a long time before you need to go through and improve them or completely redo them. But when it is time, you need to have the right professional to answer your questions, come up with the best design, and make your home look amazing. Look at some of the factors above to learn more about what services they can offer you and how well you can get the work done.