Choosing the right paving contractor can make the difference between a smooth, long-lasting surface and a costly headache. Whether you’re resurfacing a parking lot, installing a new driveway, or repairing failing asphalt, the stakes are high: drainage, safety, curb appeal, and property value all depend on quality work. Below are five red flags to help you quickly separate the pros from the pretenders—plus a quick checklist you can use before you sign anything.
1) Missing Credentials or Vague Proof of Insurance
Why it matters: Paving is heavy construction. If a crew member gets hurt or a neighbor’s property is damaged, you want the contractor’s insurance—not yours—to cover it. Proper licensing and bonding also indicate the company meets local requirements and has financial backing to complete the job.
Red flags to watch for
- Can’t (or won’t) send a certificate of insurance directly from the insurer.
- License or bond “in process,” “expired,” or “under someone else’s name.”
- Reluctance to list their legal business name, office address, or tax ID on documents.
How to verify
- Ask for a current certificate of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance emailed directly from the insurance agent.
- Confirm licensing with your city or state database and make sure the license covers paving (not just general handyman services).
- Request their bond number and bonding company. A reputable paving contractor will share this without hesitation.
Bonus tip: If you’re a commercial property owner, ask for an endorsement naming you as additionally insured for the project duration.
2) High-Pressure Sales, Door-to-Door Pitches, or Strange Payment Terms
Why it matters: Legitimate contractors rely on referrals, bids, and repeat business—not scare tactics. Aggressive sales behaviors often coincide with subpar materials, rushed prep, and vanishing crews.
Red flags to watch for
- “We’ve got leftover asphalt from a nearby job and can give you a deal if you decide today.”
- Requests for full payment in cash up front, or refusing to take traceable methods (check, ACH, credit card).
- Unwillingness to provide a written estimate that details scope, materials, thicknesses, and timelines.
How to respond
- Slow the process down. Good contractors are fine with you comparing bids and asking questions.
- Require a written proposal with line items: base prep, milling, patching, asphalt or concrete thickness, compaction standards, and cleanup.
- For deposits, 10–30% is common; anything more than 50% before work begins is questionable. Final payment should be tied to completion and inspection.
Worth noting: Door-to-door “leftover material” pitches are a classic scam in paving. Politely decline.
3) Unrealistic Pricing and Corner-Cutting on Materials
Why it matters: If one bid comes in dramatically lower, they’re likely saving money somewhere—less base prep, thinner lifts, lower-quality asphalt mix, or inadequate compaction. You might not see the consequences for months, but they’ll show up as puddling, raveling, rutting, or premature cracking.
Red flags to watch for
- A single vague price with no breakdown of tasks or quantities.
- Promises of the “same” job for far less than competitors without a clear explanation.
- Using reclaimed asphalt or millings as a “finished surface” where hot-mix asphalt is standard.
- Substituting a lower concrete PSI, skipping air entrainment in freeze-thaw zones, or omitting fiber reinforcement in specified slabs.
How to compare apples to apples
- Ask each paving contractor to specify: base depth and material, asphalt mix (e.g., ¾” PG 64-22), number of lifts and thickness per lift (after compaction), and compaction targets (e.g., 92–96%).
- For concrete, confirm PSI (e.g., 4,000–5,000), air content, rebar or fiber spec, and control-joint spacing.
- Require line-item pricing for add-ons (drainage, curb repairs, striping, sealcoat) to prevent “surprise” costs.
Pro tip: The best value is rarely the cheapest number; it’s the bid that documents proper prep and materials for your site conditions.
4) Thin Track Record, Shaky Reviews, or No Local Presence
Why it matters: Paving is hyper-local: soils, weather, municipal standards, and traffic patterns all affect design. You want someone who understands local permitting, has relationships with material suppliers, and can point to projects that look good years later.
Red flags to watch for
- No verifiable portfolio, stock photos only, or a website built last week.
- Reviews that sound templated, all from the same month, or from profiles with no other activity.
- Evasive about references or can’t provide projects you can go see in person.
How to vet
- Ask for 3–5 references from similar projects (HOA roadway, retail lot, multifamily driveway). Call them and ask what the surface looks like today.
- Drive by completed jobs. Look for even grades, clean edges, tight joints, consistent texture, and proper drainage (no birdbaths).
- Check how long they’ve had the same business name, phone number, and address. Longevity matters in a trade where warranties should outlive the crew’s taillights.
Nice-to-have: Memberships in paving or construction associations and OSHA training certifications are positive signals.
5) Weak Technical Approach, No Drainage Plan, or “Trust Us” on Warranty
Why it matters: The lifespan of asphalt or concrete hinges on what you can’t see: subgrade, base, compaction, and water management. A contractor who skips a site assessment is guessing—and you’ll pay for it later.
Red flags to watch for
- No site walk or measurements before quoting.
- No mention of base repair, proof-rolling, geotextile, or undercutting soft spots.
- Ignoring freeze/thaw, heavy truck traffic, or where runoff will go.
- Vague warranty language like “we stand by our work” with no specifics.
What good looks like
- A site visit that includes checking soils, traffic loads, drainage paths, and tie-ins to existing surfaces.
- A written plan: slope percentages, sawcut/mill locations, base depth, lift thicknesses, compaction passes, and curing timelines.
- Clear warranty terms in writing: what’s covered (e.g., settlement, raveling), for how long, and how claims are handled.
Ask these technical questions
- “What base depth do you recommend for my traffic and soil type, and how will you verify compaction?”
- “How will you handle drainage around low spots, utilities, and entrances?”
- “What mix design (or concrete spec) are you proposing, and why is it right for my site?”
A qualified paving contractor will answer in plain language and welcome the conversation.
How to Hire the Right Paving Contractor (Step-by-Step)
- Define the scope and goals. Traffic loads, timeline, aesthetics, and budget. Decide if you need patching, overlays, full-depth reconstruction, or new installation.
- Shortlist 3–4 local firms. Pull from referrals, property manager networks, or nearby projects that look great. Confirm they routinely do work like yours.
- Request detailed, written bids. Provide the same information to each company and ask for specs on base, lifts, mix design, and drainage.
- Compare on scope, not just price. Use a simple table to line up base depth, asphalt or concrete specs, warranty terms, and schedule—not just the bottom line.
- Check references and visit sites. Prioritize projects 2–5 years old. Fresh pavement always looks good; time tells the truth.
- Confirm credentials. License, bond, insurance certificates from the source. Ask to be named as additionally insured for the project.
- Lock in a clear contract. Include scope, specs, schedule, traffic control, cleanup, warranty, and payment milestones. Add penalties or incentives for schedule if your site is high-traffic.
- Plan for maintenance. Ask the winning paving contractor for a maintenance plan (crack sealing, sealcoating schedule, snow/ice practices) and keep their contact info handy.
FAQs Property Owners Ask
How long should asphalt or concrete last?
Well-built asphalt with proper maintenance often performs 15–25 years; concrete can exceed that. Climate, traffic, base conditions, and maintenance practices all play a role.
Is an overlay as good as full-depth replacement?
Overlays are cost-effective when the base is stable. If you have widespread base failure or drainage issues, overlays merely “mask” the problem and will reflect cracks back. A thorough assessment by your paving contractor should guide this choice.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is a good baseline: enough to benchmark, not so many that it becomes noise. Make sure each quote responds to the same scope and specs.
What affects price the most?
Base repair, mobilization, material quantities (thickness), access, drainage work, traffic control, and demolition/disposal costs drive the price. Clear scope = fewer surprises.
Do I need permits?
Often yes—especially for new installations, curb work, ADA upgrades, or major drainage changes. A reputable paving contractor will know the local requirements and handle submittals as part of the job or tell you what’s needed.
Quick Pre-Hire Checklist
- Got three written, detailed bids from local contractors.
- Verified license, bond, and insurance (certificates sent from the insurer).
- Compared base prep, lift thicknesses, mix or concrete specs, and warranty terms.
- Spoke with references and visited 2–5-year-old projects.
- Reviewed drainage plan and traffic control plan.
- Contract includes scope, schedule, cleanup, warranty, and payment milestones.
Bottom Line
Paving is not a place to gamble. The right paving contractor will welcome your questions, document their approach, and back it up with local projects that still look great years later. Focus on credentials, clarity, and technical rigor, and you’ll end up with a smoother surface—and a smoother experience—start to finish.
