More and more asphalt contractors will be knocking on doors in search of work now that summer has arrived. However, you must understand how to distinguish reputable paving providers from fraudsters. If there are cracks and potholes in the driveway, or If it’s beginning to deteriorate, scammers are more likely to target your home.
In such situations, it becomes paramount to stay alert and well aware of the red flags to help protect yourself from being conned. Read on to find out the warning signs of scammers and how to avoid them.
1. The Contractor Arrives at Your Door
The contractor showing up at your door is the most clear warning that you are going to be conned. The majority of reputable contractors will not engage in door-to-door sales. This is because commercial asphalt paving firms with a good reputation don’t just show up and start working as they are overly preoccupied with attending to consumer needs. Thus, if any contractor knocks on your door and offers paving services should be dealt with great caution.
2. Legitimate Businesses Openly Offer Credibility
Know that many paving businesses are fairly proud of the work they accomplish and thus confidently display their logo on their staff, vehicles, and other items. Be wary of advertisements that do not clearly show the company name and nearby contact details.
Do not be hesitant to get in touch with the Better Business Bureau and request a list of complaints made against the business. A current certificate of insurance proving liability and workers’ compensation insurance should also be requested to prove credibility. Any trustworthy contractor will be pleased to follow through.
3. They insist on having extra asphalt from a prior project.
Due to the nature of their work, paver contractors are excellent at determining how much material they will need to finish a project. Hence, they are usually not left with much extra. Even if they did, it wouldn’t be hot enough to utilise effectively hours later. This is essential because, depending on temperatures, a very small window of time must pass between the hot asphalt arriving at a spot, being laid, and compacted.
Contrary to popular belief, asphalt does not cure or dry like concrete. A process called compaction is used to lay down and complete asphalt. If it is not compacted at the ideal temperature, the necessary densities will not be reached, and it will instead become a loose aggregate that will fall apart and degrade. This is why no professional paving business would have a sizable amount of asphalt left over or be able to use it after arriving from another work. Anyone claiming to have it is without a doubt a scammer!
4. Have Everything Documented
Get a written contract that details the duties of both the homeowner and the contractor before agreeing to any services to be provided. Additionally, beware of the type of product being applied to your pavement. Make sure you request printed information from the contractor on the several types of professional-grade sealers they use on jobs. Ideally, the maker should provide this information if he is credible and genuine.
When these kinds of businesses knock on their door, a customer who is well-informed and aware will be able to make an intelligent selection. Hence, if you come across someone who you think is trying to scam you bluntly say “no,” shut the door, and call the sheriff or police department in your area right away. Because, if you don’t, you’ll not only be paying for a completely useless service, but you’ll also be paying again to get it fixed.
5. Large Discounts
People who arrive at your home offering significant discounts should be avoided at any cost. When it comes to asphalt paving, quality is an indicator of price. Because they claim to be using leftover materials from previous jobs, con artists frequently offer low costs.
But, remember that what these fraudsters are proposing has nothing to do with recycling asphalt. They only fully restore your work using remnants from a prior project and make a vow to return the following day after running out of asphalt only to vanish.
The sign of a professional business is that while using recycled asphalt for any project they constantly make sure that it is in sufficient quantity. So, before deciding to get your driveway repaired, spend some time investigating different asphalt providers, reading reviews, and checking for ratings.
6. Licence Plates from Other States
A trustworthy asphalt contractor will have invested years in developing a base of devoted clients. But, when it comes to fraudsters, they hop from town to town to avoid being caught. Thus, if the door-to-door salesperson or asphalt contractor has out-of-state licence plates, it is a warning sign which indicates that they don’t intend to stay in the area for very long after receiving your money.
Even if a business representative provides you with a local phone number, there is no assurance that they are in fact from your neighbourhood. It is not uncommon for scammers to simply provide you with a local number for a throwaway phone. Therefore, make it a habit to always check the licence plates of your salesman or asphalt contractor frequently
7. Cash Payments Up Front
When a door-to-door salesperson demands payment on the spot, it explicitly indicates danger. They often present the substantial discount they’re providing as a one-time opportunity, but in reality, it’s just another way of conning you.
Cash, cheques, and credit cards are all accepted by reputable paving businesses. However, a con artist won’t be willing to accept check payments since they know you’ll make sure it’s cancelled after you figure out their scheme.
Conclusion
In the end, it all boils down to being cautious, doing your research, and having faith in your instincts. There are many trustworthy companies out there who can pave a driveway that will last for decades, but regrettably, there are some that will take your money and go, leaving you with a driveway that will crumble within a few months or years. Therefore, stay cautious and keep these red flags in mind for maximum protection against such fraudsters.
Prime Asphalt is the only solution to your worries. Family-Owned & Operated Asphalt Paving Contractors Delivering Stunning & Durable Surfaces, Prime Asphalt is a hardcore professional business that helps get your pavement back in shape with seal coating, tar & chip sealing, concrete paving & more! With Prime Asphalt, you’re in safe hands!
