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Asphalt paving in RI is not the most exciting home improvement, but it is something that needs to be done periodically to keep up the appearance of your home’s exterior. If your home’s driveway needs repaving, you’ll want to hire a quality contractor because a job done poorly can lead to water collecting in the garage or around your home’s foundation. Hiring a quality contractor also extends the life of the repaving up to as much as 20 years. If it’s time to repave your asphalt driveway, here are some suggestions for finding a top-quality contractor to assist you with your exterior home-improvement project. Work with an Established Company Homeowners should be wary of contractors without years of experience in the local community. Hiring a company with a good reputation that employs licensed, bonded, and insured contractors is always the best idea. Contractors should also possess current liability and workers’ compensation policies. Finding established companies in your area is as easy as getting recommendations from family and friends. Once you’ve gathered these recommendations, contact at least 3 companies and ask for examples of work completed, pricing, and a free, no-obligation estimate. Be Suspicious of Contractors Using “New” Methods When a contractor comes to your home to give you an estimate, be cautious about hiring a person who claims to have a new method that will save you money. Also be suspicious of contractors that claim they can save you money using leftover asphalt from a different job. Basically, if the price or time frame for completion is too good to be true, then it probably is. Asphalt contractors should follow uniform installation methods. This means that the new application can either be applied on top of the driveway as a new layer or the driveway can be torn out and redone. Whichever method is chosen, contractors must follow certain specifications to make sure the driveway is paved correctly. This is why any so-called contractor telling you he or she has a new method may not know what they’re doing and should be avoided. Questions to Ask Contractors Knowing the right questions to ask of potential contractors will help you make the best decision possible, weeding out the bad ones right away. Here are the standard questions that you should ask of every contractor that comes to bid on the job: • Is the estimate a set price or can other factors affect the final bill? • How long will the job take? • How many other jobs are you working on right now? • How do you handle inclement weather? How will that affect the completion time? • How thick will the asphalt be? Reputable Contractors Should Be Able to Identify Problems You know you’re working with a professional when he or she identifies potential problems that may affect the work. For example, this may include things like poor underlying support or improper drainage. It’s important that contractors have the skills and experience to identify these problems because the last thing you want is for an inexperienced contractor to pour over a damaged driveway and then send you a bill. Eventually, you’re going to have problems and be expected to pay out of pocket for repairs for a job that wasn’t done well to begin with. The average cost for asphalt paving in RI is approximately $5,000. However, depending on the size, the cost could be anywhere between $2,300 and $10,300. To make sure you’re getting a fair price, shop around and get several bids. Not only will this process help you find the best price, but you’ll have reassurance that the contractor you’re hiring is professional and capable of completing a job well done.
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