An asphalt pavement is a great investment that should provide you with a handsome financial return. Asphalt pavements are fast to construct, economically priced, and can serve you well for decades if you take care of them. One highly effective and economical maintenance procedure for your pavement is sealcoating. However, when selecting a contractor to sealcoat your pavement, it is not always best to go with the lowest bid.
Why Should I Be Wary of Just Choosing the Lowest Bid for Sealcoating My Pavement?
One thing you will probably notice when you collect bids from several Birmingham seal coating companies is that most of them are quite close in price. It is also common for there to be at least one bid that is substantially lower than the others. Although there could be a valid reason for the difference, a significantly lower bid could also be a red flag that you might not want to hire that sealcoating contractor.
1. Every Birmingham sealcoating company pays roughly the same amount for the sealant and aggregate. When comparing the bids, look for the line that shows the seal coating price and the amount of sealant to be used. If the quantities differ substantially, the lower bid could indicate that the sealcoating company does not understand the size of your pavement. If the sealcoating price differs substantially, consider it a red flag.
2. Another line item to check is the one that shows the labor hours. Not every seal coating company pays their employees the same wages, so the labor costs can vary. However, the labor hours should be roughly the same. Substantial differences in labor hours could indicate that the seal coating contractor is planning to take shortcuts that could affect the quality and durability of your new sealcoating.
3. Verify that all seal coating contractors plan to provide the same incidental services. These may include crack repairs, priming, pavement markings or stripes, and pavement cleaning. It is possible that the reason for a low bid is that the sealcoating contractor is not including repairs or pavement markings.
When Might a Low Bid Hint That the Contractor May Be Unscrupulous?
First, it is important to differentiate between inexperienced and unscrupulous seal coating contractors. An inexperienced contractor performing sealcoating in Birmingham AL might make an honest mistake. Normally, if that happens, contractors will do everything they can to rectify the mistake. Unscrupulous sealcoating contractors, however, know that they are not going to give their customers superior work. Here are some warning signs that the Birmingham seal coating company you are considering might be less than trustworthy.
1. Every sealcoating company needs to be properly insured. Proper insurance includes at least workers’ compensation and general liability. Unscrupulous companies may prefer to shift the financial risk to their customers. This saves the seal coating company money, so they may offer lower prices. Watch out for a sealcoating contractor who is evasive about insurance coverage.
2. Sealcoating in Birmingham AL must be mixed correctly to perform as it should. Unscrupulous sealcoating companies may tinker with the mix to reduce their expenses. For example, one common ploy is to add more water to the mix than they should to reduce the amount of sealcoating concentrate and aggregates. Ask contractors how they plan to prepare the mix for your job.
3. Seal coating contractors should apply the liquid sealant in two thin coats. Unscrupulous contractors often try to convince customers that it is better to apply one thick coat. This is not true, so be sure to verify what your Birmingham seal coating company plans to do.
The Surface Masters is the company to contact when you need superior sealcoating services in Birmingham. We also offer crack sealing, asphalt repairs, pavement markings, concrete work, asphalt paving, and milling and reclamation. We are a trustworthy, experienced company with an exemplary reputation for service, craftsmanship, integrity, and professionalism. To request a free quote, fill out our online form, call 470-557-8985, or email Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com.
