There are many Florida paving companies to choose from so how do you go about choosing the right paving partner for your commercial paving project? Here’s the top things we recommend you keep in mind as you begin your search.
Experience
An occupational or business license doesn’t necessarily indicate that a company is qualified to do paving work. Experienced and qualified contractors must also hold any appropriate state licenses.
Florida, for example, has no state paving license, but contractors must be licensed by the county, with some cities or villages requiring licensure as well.
Outside of proper licensure and certification, vet your potential paving partners by asking if they have experience with:
- the newest materials and application methods for asphalt and concrete.
- sustainable paving methods.
- ADA compliance
At DMI Paving & Sealcoating, our crew has 60+ years of experience in asphalt paving and repair, sealcoating, parking lot striping, and concrete work for HOAs and commercial properties.
Schedule
There’s nothing worse than being fully prepared to start a project and then getting the news that your paving contractor can’t begin for another few months.
When choosing a paving contractor, inquire about their schedule upfront and how long they anticipate the project might take. This is also a great time to ask if the company…
- Will provide professional, detailed phasing plans to outline how the project will progress once a contract is signed
- Will work with you to limit any interruptions and inconveniences to tenants or guests
- Will phase the project to limit lane closures, barricading, temporary closure of the parking lot, etc.
Addressing and mitigating these factors up front can help ensure there are no surprises along the way to project completion.
Pricing Estimate
It’s important to note that cost should never be the sole determining factor when choosing a paving partner.
In fact, three contractors of similar experience, size and qualifications likely will be within 10% of each other’s bids – assuming they’re responding to the same request for proposal (RFP).
This being said, it’s still important to ensure that the company you choose is willing to provide value-based engineering alternatives, or different options based on the project’s specific budget restraints.
As Florida’s top asphalt company, we have the experience and specialized equipment needed to get the job done right, saving you time and money.
Customer Satisfaction
Quality paving contractors will have no problem providing references along with a portfolio of similar projects for you to look at.
Cross-reference the references they provide you with what is being said online about the business. Looking through online reviews is a great way to see what it’s really like working alongside a company and what you can ultimately expect from them in terms of their craft and customer service.
When looking through online reviews and company provided references consider:
- Are they – and all company executives – professional, courteous, and responsive to inquiries?
- Do the vendors have an established reputation in the community, and are they able to provide testimonials and photographs of prior jobs and site visits?
Conclusion
By keeping these factors in mind, you can narrow your choices and choose the right paving partner for your next project.
For more information about how to select a paving company for your next parking lot & driveway paving, maintenance or installation project download our handy ‘How To Choose an Asphalt Paving Contractor’ guide!
