There is nothing wrong with wanting to save money or stay within your budget when you need asphalt maintenance. However, it is important to remember the role that proper maintenance plays in prolonging the life of your pavement. Selecting a contractor simply because he submitted the lowest bid may not be the best decision. If you want to obtain the best return on the money you spend, you will need to examine a few additional factors.
Why the Lowest Asphalt Sealcoating Bid Isn’t Always the Best
Is the Sealcoating Contractor Experienced?
Asphalt sealcoating is both an art and a science. You can learn the basic facts by reading about them, but until you have actually applied a few hundred gallons of sealant, you will not have encountered every conceivable variant that could affect the quality of the results. If you are always working under ideal conditions, you are unlikely to learn how to deliver great results when the humidity level is over 50% or the temperature is above 70 degrees. Experienced contractors have learned the best ways to meet any challenges that a job might present.
Is the Paving Contractor Reputable?
To produce a liquid for application, the contractor must mix the powder with sand and water. Manufacturers specify the proper amount of water, sand and sealant to combine. Unscrupulous contractors often create a mix that contains an excessive amount of water. This reduces their costs, but it results in a product that will be too thin to protect your pavement properly. The so-called sealant will quickly begin to flake off, and it will have little resistance to chemicals, sunlight and traffic. Checking a contractor’s references can help you eliminate anyone with a history of providing low-quality work.
Does the Asphalt Contractor Offer Asphalt Crack Repair?
If you have a contractor apply sealant over unrepaired cracks, you are wasting your money. Sealants can often correct minor surface flaws, but they are not intended to double as a crack filler. Cracks should be properly repaired before sealant is applied. Although not all contractors offer both asphalt sealing and crack repairs, most of them do. On a similar note, if you are having a parking lot sealed, selecting someone who is also a striping contractor can often be more efficient and cost-effective.
Can the Paving Contractor Handle the Scope of Your Job?
A great sealcoating job requires more than just good intentions. The proper equipment is essential; for example, a plastic pail is no substitute for a tank with an agitator to keep the sand in suspension. The contractor needs a sufficient number of workers; if there are too few, the work will either proceed far too slowly or will be shoddily performed.
Does the Asphalt Contractor Have Adequate Insurance?
A reputable sealcoating contractor will carry at least general liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Many contractors submitting unrealistically low bids carry neither. Do you really want to risk being sued if one of the contractor’s workers is injured on your property? Should you have to pay to have your plants replaced or to remove sloppily applied sealant from your walls, your employee’s vehicle or your neighbor’s fence? If your contractor is uninsured, you could be left on the financial hook.
Who Can Help With All Your Asphalt Maintenance Needs?
Whether you need asphalt crack repair, superior asphalt sealcoating or parking lot striping, we can provide exceptional work at affordable prices. MH Greeson specializes in repairing and maintaining asphalt pavements for commercial clients throughout the greater Atlanta area. We can repair potholes, install traffic signs, ensure that your parking lot is ADA-compliant, install bollards and maintain your tennis court. Our reputation is exemplary, we are fully insured, and our references are impeccable. Give us a call at 770-335-2983 or fill out the online form to receive a free quote.
