How Do You Compare Asphalt Paving Bids?
Getting bids on an asphalt paving or maintenance project is the best way to find a contractor that fits your budget. When you’re planning a commercial paving project, a bid might even be a requirement before you can get decision-makers to sign off on a proposal to add a new parking lot or improve the old one. Yet, you might already realize that comparing two bids can feel a lot like making a comparison between apples and oranges. Taking a look at several key components helps you ensure that you fully understand what each bid means in comparison to the others.
How Do You Analyze the Scope of Work On Asphalt Paving Bids?
One of the biggest mistakes people make is just looking at the final numbers. Yet, Florida asphalt contractors often make varying recommendations regarding paving projects. If you notice substantial differences between the bids, then it is possible that one contractor might be offering a higher level of service than the others.
For example, one bid might include a higher-performing mix design than the other, which affects the longevity of the pavement. Alternatively, you might see that one company is including the excavation of the project site in the bid while another leaves it out. Checking each detail helps you to see a more authentic comparison of the final bids.
What If Two Contractors Recommend Different Asphalt Paving Services?
Paving asphalt can often be managed in multiple ways. For instance, one contractor might recommend putting down a new aggregate base for a full repaving project. Another might tell you that asphalt overlays are the way to go. In these situations, you’ll want to think carefully about your future plans for the pavement.
Choosing the simpler and less expensive paving option might be preferable if you plan to sell the property soon. However, you might prefer to invest a little more in a solution that offers you the highest return on your investment when you plan on keeping the property for many more years.
What Other Factors Should You Consider When Comparing Bids?
In the residential and commercial paving industry, low bids are often a red flag. If you find yourself interested in a lower bid, then take a few minutes to make sure that the asphalt paving company is fully insured, licensed and certified.
Even when the bids are close, it’s worth asking about a company’s experience, equipment and history. Looking at online testimonials, finished projects and asking for references can help you weed out any fly-by-night contractors that cost you more money in the long run.
Get Your First Bid From an Established Treasure Coast Paving Company
Asphalt Care Services is an asphalt paving & maintenance company and our team is fully ready to give you a bid that makes sense. To get a quote, just call us at 772-888-2840, email us at [email protected] or leave your project’s details in our online form.
Once you receive your free quote, remember that you can ask us about all of the services and materials we include in our asphalt sealcoating, maintenance and paving, parking lot maintenance, parking lot striping, thermoplastic line striping, traffic signage, speed bump installation and concrete bumper bids. Making sure that our customers know exactly what they agree to when accepting a bid is one of our greatest priorities.