As a property manager, you are responsible for pavement maintenance of your parking lots and walkways. There is a wide range of asphalt contractors from which to choose, which can be bewildering at times. It may be tempting to choose the lowest-priced contractor and be done with it.
However, parking lot maintenance is not a one-time event but an ongoing requirement. You should look for an asphalt contractor with whom you can establish a long-term professional relationship. Therefore, the choice requires some careful thought, consideration, and investigation beforehand to be sure you choose someone you can depend on, both now and in the future. Here are some tips for choosing asphalt contractors in your area!
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Choose a Local Contractor
Choosing a local asphalt contractor helps you narrow down your search, but that is only one of the reasons why you should look for a contractor within your own community. A local asphalt contractor should be familiar with conditions of weather and soil that are likely to affect the job. A contractor from your community should also be aware of any municipal regulations or codes that may apply to the task. Therefore, choosing a local contractor helps ensure compliance with applicable laws.
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Look for Certifications
The asphalt contractor you choose should be certified by a reputable professional organization and fully insured. Certifications mean that the contractor has met or exceeded standards for acceptable work within the industry, while insurance protects you in the event that something goes wrong during the job.
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Contact Contractors by Phone
Once you have identified a few contractors who look likely, you should attempt to contact them by telephone. This helps give you an idea of how communicative they are. If you have trouble reaching them by phone, remove them from your shortlist. Be prepared to ask questions and gauge how willing the contractors are to answer and to engage in a dialogue. It is important that your contractor be willing to accept feedback and eager to educate you about the entire process.
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Ask for References
When you are selecting an asphalt contractor, asking for references is one of the most important aspects of performing your due diligence. You need to confirm that the contractor can deliver on the promises that he or she is making. If the contractor refuses to provide any references, you can eliminate him or her from the list right away. Depending on how many references there are, you don’t necessarily have to contact all of them, but you should get in touch with a handful and ask them specific questions about their satisfaction with the work the contractor did for them.
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Ask for Estimates
Before committing to a particular contractor, ask those on your shortlist for estimates of what they anticipate the job will cost. Be suspicious of any estimates that are significantly lower than the others. That contractor may save money by cutting corners, which could ultimately be to your serious detriment.
Performing your due diligence helps you choose an asphalt contractor whom you can count on to perform parking lot repairs, both now and in the future. Find out how a parking lot maintenance agreement from DRYCO may help lower lifetime costs.