What Questions Should You Ask a Paving Contractor?

Choosing a paving contractor is difficult. Making sure you choose the right contractor for your specific project is also vitally important.

Most people looking to hire a paving contractor know little about the paving process, which is entirely understandable. However, this can make it difficult to know what to ask of a company when you’re gathering bids for your project.

By asking the following questions, you’ll be able to ensure you’re getting higher quality bids and ultimately choosing a paving contractor well suited for your project.

How long have you been a paving contractor?

If a company has been around for a while, you can be more assured they’ll be around for years to come. It’s nice to develop a relationship over time with a paving contractor you trust. Doing so makes tackling future paving projects far less daunting.

But remember, just because they’ve been paving for years doesn’t mean they necessarily do good work. So it’s important to dive a little deeper.

What are the most important elements of the project?

Getting the right scope of work is an essential first step in the paving process. Identifying the most important aspects of a project should be priority number one.

Once you’ve figured out what is essential, you can discuss those elements that could be beneficial to the project but aren’t essential. You can then make sure you’re getting everything you want given your budget.

What exactly is included in the scope of work?

Some scope of work documents can be confusing. If you’re gathering bids from multiple paving contractors, confusing scope of work documents can make it very difficult to compare the bids to one another.

Make sure your potential paving contractor has clearly detailed exactly what’s included in your project. An accurate, detailed scope of work that matches your needs lays the foundation for a successful paving project and will make your decision much easier.

Will my project present any unique challenges?

Some projects have unique challenges that can make them more complicated. Push your paving contractor to be thoughtful initially, accounting for any unique challenges that may arise.

A bit of forethought can go a long way when it comes to completing high quality work on time and within budget.

Are there any additional or “hidden” fees?

This is a good question to ask any contractor, and paving contractors are no different. Make sure you aren’t going to be hit with hidden costs for “additions” halfway through a project.

What are some projects you’ve paved in this area?

Ask for a list of projects in the area the contractor has paved. Drive over to see how the project came out. Go view their work firsthand.

Looking for a paving contractor in St. Louis? Check out our portfolio ›

Do you have references I can call?

A paving contractor can say they’re good at anything. Their references are a lot less likely to bend the truth.

Sure, they’re going to pick references that had a good experience. But if they have a long list of happy, well-known clients that have nice things to say, it can make you more confident to add your name to that list.

Are you accredited with the Better Business Bureau?

You should ask this question for two reasons.

First, you’ll want to hire a paving contractor that’s an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau. It adds a level of accountability and helps ensure they’re an upstanding company. You may be able to tell a lot about a contractor based on how forthright they are in answering this question.

Second, you can see a history of any complaints filed in the past by visiting the Better Business Bureau’s website. A company that has a history of complaints should raise some red flags.

Is asphalt or concrete best for my project?

You shouldn’t be expected to know if asphalt vs. concrete is best for your situation. That’s the job of your paving contractor.

Ask them to provide their rationale for using a certain material. They should be able to explain it in a way that makes sense.

Choosing St. Louis Paving Contractors

We know there’s a lot to consider when hiring a paving contractor. Hopefully these questions will help you find the best contractor for your individual project. 

If you’d like to talk to us about a paving project in around St. Louis, please contact us. We’d be happy to talk it over with you. Ford Asphalt Company has worked in commercial asphalt and concrete paving since 1975, and we’ve earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.