When you are responsible for a commercial property, you must ensure the parking lot and paved areas are attractive, safe, and properly maintained. You must also keep your return-on-investment top of mind. Asphalt paving is an essential expense, so spend your budget wisely by hiring a paving contractor that will deliver five-star and long-lasting results.
At A&A Paving, our process looks a little different than most — and that’s for a good reason. We prioritize quality, and our process ensures that you’ll get the most out of your investment in the long run.
In this article, our paving consultant, Nate Olson, answers some of the most common questions when comparing bids and shopping for a professional contractor.
Q: What Would You Say to a Customer Who Tells You Your Pricing is Higher?
All paving contractors receive materials from the same place and compensate their crew members about the same wages. The difference often comes down to scope. Even though the proposal’s verbiage might read the same, one of the things competing pavers may do is cheat on how much asphalt they lay down.
Our bids ensure we install 2″ of compacted asphalt. In contrast, lower bids will often specify that they “install and compact 2.0.” Although the wording is similar, the methods will yield very different results. Our process will ensure the proper amount of asphalt is installed after compaction so that your pavement lasts for years to come.
Q: Why are the Scopes the Same, but the Pricing is Still Different?
If the scopes of two paving proposals are the same with a difference in pricing, it often comes down to phasing.
Project phasing plays a critical role in how much downtime occurs and, consequently, how much business is lost during construction. Competing paving companies may utilize too few phases, which will cause major and costly disruption to your business. Dealing with frustrated customers, tenants, and building owners is a headache that you can — and should — avoid with proper planning.
At A&A Paving, we understand the importance of mitigating disruptions and expensive downtime; our phasing strategy ensures a smooth process from start to finish.
Q: Why Might Our Crackfill and Sealcoat Bid be Higher?
When you receive a crackfill and sealcoat proposal, a couple of important things come into play.
Competing paving companies may simply fill the cracks and call it a day, while our team takes the time to route each crack. This helps create a joint where the rubberized crack-filling material will not only bond with the asphalt but allow enough space for it to expand and contract with Chicagoland’s harsh freeze and thaw cycles.
Larger cracks must be properly routed as a preventive measure to ensure long-lasting results through the seasons. In the long run, you’ll avoid needing major repairs — such as potholes — and will have fewer headaches to deal with.
Q: The Scopes and the Pricing are the Same. Who Should You Pick?
If you receive two competitive bids with the same scopes, phasing, and pricing, we recommend that you take the time to vet both companies. Research their Google reviews. Check out who they’re doing work for and what their costumes are saying. How long have they been in the paving industry? And how experienced are they with large-scale commercial projects?
We continually receive 5-star reviews on Google because we provide award-winning service and clear communication at every step!
We’ve Been Paving Chicagoland for 60+ Years
A&A Paving’s highly trained experts have proudly served the Chicagoland area for over sixty years using only the best materials and techniques in the industry. You won’t find a paving company with more local know-how or experience. Our team will protect your investment at a cost-effective price, and we will ensure your asphalt provides superior performance and function even in the harshest conditions.
Click here or call us today at 630-529-2500 to learn more about A&A Paving and receive a free service quote.
