Compared to other jobs, asphalt paving may seem simple until you see poorly done work. Only those with the necessary training and in-depth knowledge of the technique should handle this task. Therefore, hiring a licensed paving company makes sense whenever you need a new asphalt driveway installed or repaired.
Of course, asphalt companies in South Carolina are not the same. Although the longevity and caliber of their work are reliable indicators of their skills, there are other things you need to consider. Here are some tips to help you find dependable asphalt companies in South Carolina, but first, let’s examine what an asphalt company does.
What Can Asphalt Companies Do?
Asphalt companies in South Carolina offer various asphalt paving, maintenance, and repair services. The following are some of the most typical services they provide:
Roadway Paving
An asphalt contractor will frequently offer this as one of their services. Consider the materials you can use for your parking lots and driveways when building a new house or commercial building. Finding an asphalt contractor will be the first step if you decide to use asphalt. They could evaluate your site and provide you with a price. If you agree, they can prepare the property and install an asphalt driveway or parking lot for you.
Resurfacing and Repairs
Although installing pavement is what asphalt companies in South Carolina do most often, they also provide repair services. Asphalt driveways are subject to the elements and experience significant wear and tear. Driveway maintenance and concrete services are some of the things that asphalt companies in South Carolina can assist you with. They may seal your driveway, fill gaps, and ensure it lasts many years. Finding a trustworthy asphalt contractor from installation to maintenance is required.
Emergency Services
Your pavement may occasionally sustain damage from unforeseen occurrences like bad weather, collisions, or natural calamities, which calls for rapid repair. You may rely on asphalt companies in South Carolina that provide emergency assistance in such circumstances. These services are offered around the clock and may take care of any urgent repairs, including patching potholes, clearing away debris, and restoring the functionality of your pavement. You can ensure your property is safe and easily accessible by selecting an asphalt company that provides emergency services.
Delivery of Driveway Gravel
Besides commercial paving services, asphalt companies in South Carolina also offer driveway gravel delivery. When it comes to driveways, footpaths, and other surfaces, gravel is a more affordable and long-lasting option than asphalt. Choosing a driveway paving contractor that provides gravel delivery may reduce the expense of installation and upkeep while enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
Striping
Asphalt companies in South Carolina can also provide you with asphalt striping services. This service entails painting lines and symbols on asphalt surfaces like parking lots and roads. For commercial and public properties to remain safe, organized, and accessible, good striping is crucial. You can ensure that your property complies with safety regulations and professionally presents itself by selecting an asphalt business or driveway paving contractor that provides asphalt striping services.
Ten Ways to Find a Dependable Asphalt Company in South Carolina
You must work with a professional contractor for all your paving needs to prevent needless and expensive repairs in the future. But if you don’t know a dependable contractor, it might be a challenging task. The good news is that if you keep these tips in mind, the procedure might be simpler.
1. Check Online Reviews and Ratings
Check online reviews and ratings from reliable sites like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List while looking for an asphalt firm in South Carolina. 93% of consumers examine online reviews before making a purchase or employing a service provider, according to Trustpilot. Online reviews help you understand the company’s service quality, including responsiveness, punctuality, and professionalism. Additionally, you can discover any problems or grievances from previous clients and how the business handled them.
When evaluating reviews, remember that not all may be truthful. Watch out for reviews that are either overly positive or negative and devoid of specifics. Look for reviews that give specific examples of the company’s performance, since they are more likely to be sincere.
Considering each asphalt company’s overall rating and the number of reviews is essential. A high rating with a few reviews might not be as reliable as a slightly lower rating with many reviews. Choose a contractor with an average rating of at least four stars and a sizable number of reviews. Doing this will give you a more realistic evaluation of their effectiveness and client satisfaction.
2. Verify Warranties
Ensure that the warranty of the contractor you choose is not just a money-grabbing scheme. Some asphalt companies in South Carolina might provide you with a warranty without giving you much information about it. Look for a warranty that is well-written and has all the relevant details.
Enquire what the warranty covers and what it does not. A good exclusion list is beneficial. A costly warranty is preferable to an inexpensive one but excludes coverage for the most frequent damages. One way to tell if a contractor is confident and truthful about their work is by looking at this element.
You are not guaranteed a good deal only because of an appealing or reduced price. Look for fair pricing while also considering the caliber of the work. While some contractors may offer low prices, they may not be qualified, and even if they are, they may only complete subpar work. That could suggest they aren’t completing the task as you initially agreed.
3. Pay Close Attention to Minor Details
Ensure the employees of the company you hire are professionals and prepared to pay attention to even minute details. Little nuances may go unnoticed right away during or after work. However, the value of your driveway or home could diminish if the staff overlooks specific minor issues. Therefore, ensure your contractor and his team focus on every detail and keep your best interests in mind.
4. Verify the Company’s License and Insurance
The Small Business Administration estimates that small businesses pay between $800 and $1,500 annually on insurance. As a result, avoid hiring a contractor for your project who lacks the necessary insurance and licenses. It implies they lack the skills and understanding required to obtain approvals and licenses.
Your paver should have insurance for general liability and workers’ compensation. You can wind up being held responsible for any injuries and property damage that might occur on your property if your contractor does not have certain insurance coverage.
5. Ensure the Company is Transparent
Your contractors should respond to any particular inquiries you may have. Before speaking with professionals, ensure you know sufficiently about the asphalt paving sector. Learn about the various kinds of asphalt that are available on the market. Additionally, ensure you have enough knowledge about the distributors of the materials you want to install.
With all that knowledge, you can formulate the proper queries and anticipate the right responses. You’ll be able to tell if the contractor is being truthful or just making things up as they go along. You should also request a thorough explanation of the entire procedure. Ask the contractor if there are any finished job sites that you can visit. A trustworthy contractor should provide straightforward responses.
6. Verify their Techniques and Methods
The method of paving has remained unchanged over the years. Be cautious of contractors who guarantee to complete your project using new and improved methods. It is also crucial to understand the standards and guidelines governing pavement construction.
Remembering that various paving projects call for various approaches and procedures is important. For instance, paving a parking lot requires a different strategy than paving a driveway. A trustworthy asphalt contractor should possess the skills to manage various project types and offer specialized solutions suitable for each project. By checking out their tactics and processes, you can ensure the asphalt paving driveway company you select will provide a high-quality and long-lasting driveway.
7. Pick One With a Lot of Experience
Pavers with extensive industry experience have diverse skill sets and knowledge. They can offer their clients high-quality work as a result. Additionally, they finish the tasks assigned to them more quickly. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose a new contractor, but you’ll feel more at ease if you pick one with experience.
The National Asphalt Pavement Association polled clients to determine what factors they considered most important when choosing an asphalt contractor. Experience was the top factor. Experienced pavers are more likely to have worked with various paving activities, making it easier to spot possible problems and quickly fix them. Because of this, skilled contractors can deliver high-quality work while finishing projects on schedule and within budget.
Experienced asphalt paving contractors should also have a track record of success, which is an additional benefit. Check an asphalt contractor’s past work to determine whether they have accomplished similar tasks before hiring them. As a result, you will better understand their abilities and the standard of their work.
8. Choose a Company That Provides Excellent Customer Service
Any business must provide excellent customer service; the asphalt industry is no exception. You want to engage with people who are responsive to your needs, approachable, and eager to address them as soon as they arise when selecting an asphalt business. GetFeedback reports that 78% of customers have abandoned a transaction or declined to make a planned purchase due to poor customer service. This emphasizes how crucial it is to engage with an asphalt contractor that respects its clients and offers top-notch service.
Communication is another component of providing good customer service. The asphalt company you select needs to keep you updated on the status of your project and should be ready to address any inquiries you may have. This entails giving you a thorough timeline, frequent updates, and timely responses to your phone calls and emails. 90% of customers anticipate a rapid response to their concerns, according to a HubSpot poll, which underlines the value of prompt communication.
If you select an asphalt firm that provides excellent customer service, you can be sure they will do your task expertly and carefully. Knowing that you can quickly contact the business if you have any worries or inquiries will give you peace of mind. A company that cherishes its consumers is also more likely to offer high-quality services, resulting in a successful project that lasts for a long time.
9. Ask for Referrals From Friends and Family
Asking friends and family who have used an asphalt company in South Carolina for recommendations might be an excellent approach to finding a trustworthy contractor. You can learn firsthand about the contractor’s trustworthiness, work quality, and customer service by asking for referrals. One of the best methods to identify a trustworthy contractor is through recommendations from people you know, which, according to a Nielsen report, 92% of customers trust.
It’s crucial to keep your project in mind when requesting recommendations. For instance, if you need a business parking lot paved, you might want to ask someone who has done a project of a similar nature for recommendations. But if you need a paved residential driveway, ask friends or family members who have had similar work done for recommendations.
It’s also essential to ask your friends and relatives about their experiences working with the asphalt company and seek referrals. Inquire about the contractor’s professionalism, communication skills, and level of craftsmanship. It’s a good idea to inquire about any issues that arise during the project and how your contractor plans to resolve them. This can help you understand what to expect from contractors and how they respond to emerging issues.
10. Check if the Company Has the Necessary Equipment and Tools
Ensure an asphalt company in South Carolina has the tools, equipment, and materials required to handle your project before hiring them. Asphalt paving requires specialized equipment like asphalt pavers, rollers, and dump trucks to guarantee the project’s quality and effectiveness. In addition to having the right tools, a dependable asphalt company should have access to quality materials. The pavement’s durability depends on the materials used in its construction. Therefore, it is important to confirm that the company you are considering uses high-quality materials and cutting-edge techniques to ensure the longevity of your asphalt.
When selecting a paving contractor, ask about their warranty, experience level, and prices. Remember that choosing the best paving firm will greatly impact the durability and aesthetics of your driveway or parking lot. So always select and hire carefully.