The paving contractor you hire is the most important factor in determining whether you will be delighted with their work or rue the day you met them. Unfortunately, many Chicagoland property managers and business owners are unsure of the red flags that may indicate an inexperienced or unscrupulous contractor. Most red flags will manifest in one of the following areas: attitude, deception, or pricing.
What Are Some Attitude-Related Red Flags a Paving Contractor Might Reveal?
A commercial asphalt paving company faces some stiff competition in the greater Chicago area. Therefore, reputable asphalt paving companies know that they must treat every potential customer in a respectful manner. This includes not wasting the customer’s time, not expressing impatience when the customer asks questions, and not insinuating that the customer lacks the intelligence to understand the contractor’s methods or techniques.
What Are Some Red Flags That Might Indicate a Paving Contractor Is Being Deceptive?
There are many ways that a paving contractor in Chicago could try to deceive prospective customers. Here are the most common deceptive practices that a contractor might try.
1. They pressure you to sign a contract immediately even though it contains blank spaces. First of all, no reputable paving company will tell you that you need to make an immediate decision. Furthermore, trustworthy contractors will ensure that you receive a detailed, written contract. Leaving blank spaces is a great way for an unscrupulous paving company to justify additional charges.
2. Some inexperienced contractors may attempt to deceive you into believing they are well-established professionals who have spent many years in the paving industry. Their favorite tactic is to claim that they worked for a company of a different name that is no longer in business. The name-change game is also sometimes used by an unscrupulous asphalt paving company to conceal a past history of unresolved complaints or outright fraud.
3. Trustworthy, experienced asphalt paving professionals understand that the weather can sometimes be unpredictable. Many paving procedures require dry weather and suitable temperatures, so postponements or delays could possibly occur. Be wary of any commercial asphalt paving company that offers you an ironclad guarantee on the starting and ending dates of your project. This is especially true if it is a massive project or is scheduled more than a month in advance.
4. Exercise caution if a paving company tells you it does not carry workers’ compensation insurance. The company may plan to use day laborers or subcontractors on your project, or it may prefer to skirt the law to reduce its overhead expenses.
What Are Some Pricing-Related Red Flags a Paving Contractor Might Display?
When you compare bids from several asphalt paving companies, you should find that most of them are relatively close in price. A bid that is significantly lower or higher could be a red flag.
1. A dramatic price difference could indicate that the contractor is quoting a different project scope. For example, a higher bid could signify that the contractor has calculated the total asphalt requirements incorrectly. A lower bid could mean that the contractor misunderstood the size of your pavement. Pay special attention to the outliers to see if you can identify the reason for the discrepancy.
2. Although it is not impossible, it is exceedingly rare for asphalt paving companies to run sales or offer deep discounts for a limited time. This marketing tactic is virtually identical to what retailers use to generate a sense of urgency in the minds of consumers in the hope of driving impulse purchases.
3. One extremely important red flag to watch out for is similar to the bait-and-switch tactic. An unscrupulous contractor might tell you that a certain grade of asphalt will be used or a particular service will be included, but the contractor reads differently.
When you need an exceptional commercial asphalt paving company in Chicagoland, turn to Black Hawk Paving. We have been in business since 1975, and we have an impeccable reputation for workmanship, service, and integrity. Our services include asphalt paving, asphalt resurfacing, parking lot striping, sealcoating, asphalt repair, asphalt grinding and milling, parking lot maintenance, asphalt fabric, sewer repair, hot crack sealing, pavement markings, excavation and site grading, car stops, and concrete installation and repair. For a free quote, submit our online request form, call 708-479-0400, or email us at Info@BlackHawkPaving.com.
