Avoiding Paving Scams

Sadly, we’ve seen it too many times around Albany, NY– a homeowner or business is approached by someone claiming to be a paving contractor. They might have a worn driveway or parking lot. The “contractor” says they are doing a job nearby and has extra blacktop and they could repave the parking lot or driveway cheap, all they need is half the money up front. Alarm bells!

Trustworthy paving contractors do not behave this way. Reputable contractors might introduce themselves or leave a flyer if in the neighborhood but don’t fall for the “we have extra blacktop” scam. It won’t end well.

That’s one of the good things about working with Smith’s Paving; we only work with proven and trustworthy pavers. We’ve been doing parking lots and driveways for 25 years, and customers call us back time and again.

Here are a few tips on how to choose a good paving contractor. Use these to help you avoid becoming a victim of a paving scam

1. A good parking lot paving contractor, worthy of your trust, will have years of experience because customers keep coming back. Smaller fly-by-night firms often have only a year or two of experience before word gets out. If a firm doesn’t have at least 5 years of experience, you may want to look elsewhere.
2. A good contractor will have polite and professional people that work for them. This doesn’t mean the best-dressed– some of the best pavers will have very hardworking staff so you might meet someone with some tar and asphalt. That’s ok! It’s more important how the conversation goes; are they polite, professional, and not too pushy. Trust your gut.
3. Written estimates are required– don’t do handshake deals. You need written understanding of the work. And it protects the paving contractor as well– customers change their minds too, so good reputable contractors know this and they know it’s important to have written estimates.
4. They have an office. There are plenty of good pavers who do good work out and are based out of their garage or their buddies’ lumber yard. But there are far more bad ones. If there is an office, with a staff, chances are you will always be able to reach someone. Having a real office is a sign of a good contractor.

Smith’s Paving has been in business for over 25 years because we do what we say, we don’t lie to customers, and our staff is friendly and professional. Find out more about us here and learn why some of the Capital Region’s biggest names trust us with their parking lots and driveways.