Choosing a Commercial Asphalt Contractor
Whether you are a manager or a property owner when you are planning your next asphalt project for your commercial space you should take the following steps to make sure your project goes smoothly and stands up to the test of time long after your project has been completed.
At Eaton Asphalt we believe that our projects speak for themselves. With over 100 years serving Northern Kentucky we have paved many of the roads and parking lots that your drive on each day. From heavy highway projects on I-75 to big box store parking lots such as Sam’s Club and Costco all the way down to smaller lots such as Starbucks and strip malls.
With that being said, we recommend that you contact several companies and share what you are looking for with this parking lot. When selecting these companies be sure to ask the following questions:
Experience
Be sure to ask if a contractor has experience in commercial construction. While there are many asphalt contractors that may specialize in residential paving a commercial project can be a daunting task for a small contracting operation to complete on time and to your satisfaction.
At Eaton Asphalt, we do not perform residential paving. We focus completely on Commercial and Municipal Paving projects. Our equipment and fleet is purchased with this in mind and we have no problem scaling up to even the largest most complex projects.
References
If you have not heard of a contractor it is normal to request references of past clients or projects they have performed. For any project of significant size you should find a contractor that has the experience paired with positive references that are similar to your project. Many successful contractors will be more than happy to send you a list of local projects that they have completed. If possible, visit a site where the contractor has paved to see how it is holding up.
Eaton Asphalt will gladly furnish references of completed projects and can tailor your project to similar specs from existing projects whether it be in the base, mix, or even finishing touches with particular striping and signage. Be sure to visit our commercial gallery to see some of our recent commercial
Project Requirements
Discuss your goals and needs for your asphalt project. If a contractor is serious about your business they will have no problem meeting on site to measure and field your questions. The goal of this is to formulate a plan that will yield professional results through efficient paving practices. There are many different types of asphalt mixes used for different applications. The mix on a highway can vary greatly from the mix that would be used in a Kroger parking lot or at an Amazon warehouse. Whatever the traffic, a professional asphalt contractor will understand what is needed to create a solid surface that will endure your traffic needs for years to come.
All asphalt is not created the same. If a contractor tries to sell you on a cheaper mix it could very well cost you dearly in the form of a prematurely failing asphalt parking lot or roadway.
As Northern Kentucky’s choice for asphalt paving, Eaton Asphalt understands the importance of using high quality materials to do it right the first time. We understand that there are no shortcuts, and at the end of the day your project and satisfaction is our only concern. Our paving practices are proven with countless miles of state, federal, and private asphalt roadways and parking lots that have been paved through the years while meeting the stringent KYTC standards.
Project Completion
The only thing worse than a contractor starting a project late is the let down when a project begins and the contractor is nowhere to be found for days or weeks at a time. Throughout the process you deserve the peace of mind that your contractor is actively managing your project. This mutual understanding and scheduling should begin before a contract is signed and should include the contractor also providing proof of insurance and proper licensing. If your contractor relies heavily on subcontractors it is important to ask how they vet these companies and what services are being subcontracted.
Repairs
On any construction project it is inevitable that things can fail, this is why any reputable paving company will stand by their product and your project with a warranty of some kind. Be sure to request warranty details in writing should you have any issues once the job is complete.
Eaton Asphalt stands behind our work and include a warranty with any paving project. We understand that the need for repairs can be frustrating and make it an easy process even after the final punch list is completed.
We urge you to thoroughly vet your contractors and the bids they present. When a deal sounds too good to be true, it is. This is especially true in the case of asphalt paving. Costs can be cut with subpar mix or using too small of a crew and equipment that cannot adequately compact or hit grade with your pavement.
Any crew can create a parking lot that looks good in the weeks after paving. The true test of an asphalt contractor is how their work stands up to years of weather and traffic. Eaton Asphalt is confident that our work speaks for itself. After over 100 years, much of Northern Kentucky rides on Eaton Asphalt.
Contact Eaton Asphalt today to discuss your next asphalt project.