Three Things To Ask Your Asphalt Contractor During The Estimate
If you are at a point where you are looking to replace your home's asphalt driveway, there are a few things you need to be aware of. It may be tempting to simply get a few quotes for the job, but it is also important to understand whether the estimate you are getting is the same from each contractor, and it includes everything you might be assuming it does. The following are three things to inquire about with a contractor when they visit your property:
You need to ask about water drainage
Given the geometry of your driveway, you need to ask about any problems that it may have with water drainage. If you have a driveway that is on an incline and it leads to the street gutter, this is probably not an issue. However, if it is a large, mostly flat surface, it is possible to have water gather in certain areas of the driveway after it rains. You may have already experienced this issue with your previous driveway. It is important that an asphalt contractor is able to explain exactly how the drainage issue will be handled.
You need to ask about potential problems
If there is anything on your property that you are concerned may be damaged, you need to bring this to the attention of the contractor and ask how they will handle the issue. Perhaps it is rose bushes that line your driveway or stonework that you don't want to be splattered with asphalt. Whatever the case may be, you need to ask how the problem will be addressed during the installation of your driveway.
You need to ask about the warranty
Naturally, you want to hire a contractor that offers a warranty for their work, but you need to understand the specifics of the warranty. How much time will you have to call them back if you notice a problem? This aspect of the warranty is considered to be unconditional. Regardless of whether the problem was workmanship, materials or simply the ground settling that caused some cracking, the contractor should come back and fix the issue at no charge. The second part of the warranty will be limited. Perhaps the warranty will include material but not labor, or maybe it will only cover minor repairs. This period can vary from one contractor to another, so it is an important part of comparing estimates.
Always remember when you are getting estimates for your new asphalt driveway that price is not everything. You want the contractor to be licensed and professional. They should be able to answer all of your questions, especially those listed above.
Contact a company like Bartelt Enterprises Inc. for more information and assistance.
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