Hiring a Houston paving company to build a new pavement is probably not something that you do daily. However, whether you are planning a residential or commercial paving project, your contractor’s choice can be the most critical decision you make for your project. The wrong contractor can leave you with a pavement that will have a limited life, require frequent repairs, and fail to meet any of your expectations for appearance, strength, or functionality. If you want to make sure that you choose the best contractor for your paving project, you need to obtain satisfactory answers to five critical questions.
Five Things to Know When Choosing a Houston Paving Company
How Long Have You Been a Houston Paving Contractor?
The contractor’s overall experience is essential, but you should keep in mind that the Houston area poses some paving challenges that are not encountered in every region. You want an experienced contractor who knows all about the unique challenges of building a long-lasting, quality pavement in Harris County. Any contractor offering asphalt paving services should understand how to compensate for the various problem soils, unusual drainage issues, and other issues that contractors in many other parts of the country will never face.
Can You Provide Proof of Your Insurance Coverage?
The paving company you hire should carry general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and vehicle liability insurance. The limits on the general liability policy should be at least $500,000, and higher limits are better. Asphalt paving can be a hazardous occupation, so you want to make sure that the contractor’s workers’ comp policy covers every employee who will perform work on your property. The vehicles that the contractor’s team members will operate on your property should also be covered by liability insurance. If the contractor has an umbrella policy to cover claims that exceed the other policies’ limits, this is a bonus. Never hire an asphalt paving company if the representative cannot or will not provide you with proof of valid insurance coverage.
Do You Have a List of References?
Established commercial paving contractors should have extensive lists of former customers and their contact information so that you can call them. The contractor should allow you to decide which customers to call, so be wary of contractors who try to limit you to just two or three choices. Take the time actually to call the references. Ask about the contractor’s dependability, professionalism, and craftsmanship. Inquire whether there were delays due to equipment failure, insufficient staffing, or delivery issues. If possible, obtain the address where the contractor performed the work, then drive by a few sites to see the results for yourself.
What Do You Recommend for My Paving Project?
Even if you know exactly what you want, you should ask contractors you are considering to tell you what they think you need. They should explain every step included in the project, the materials they plan to use, and the full scope of the job. They should be able to separate essential and nonessential parts of the project so that you can decide what you want to include. They should be able to coherently justify their reasons for everything, including essentials, material selection, and scheduling.
Do You Offer a Warranty?
Honest contractors with experienced, well-trained employees will normally stand behind their work. They will typically provide a warranty of at least one year on their workmanship. However, contractors may refuse to provide a warranty to clients who insist that the work be performed in circumstances that are contrary to what the contractor recommends. For example, insisting that an asphalt paving company install an overlay on an existing pavement without first addressing severe damage to the pavement or its foundation is a reasonable justification to refuse to offer a warranty.
Let the Experts at Marathon Solutions Help
Marathon Solutions Group has the staffing, equipment, experience, and training you need from a Houston paving contractor. We offer a variety of paving services, including asphalt paving and resurfacing, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs, concrete work, thermoplastic markings, bollard installations, asphalt sealcoating, and marking removal. Our reputation is unmatched, our craftsmanship is exemplary, and our customer service is superb. We offer free quotes, so use the online form to submit your request. If you prefer, you can reach us by phone at 800-879-1147, or you can drop us an email at HQ@Marathon-Solutions.com.
