Why the Lowest Sealcoating Bid Isn’t Always The Best

Asphalt sealcoating is an important maintenance service that can safeguard your pavement against the elements while improving its looks and longevity. As a property owner or manager, you must contact contractors every three to five years for a sealcoating bid. Many prefer to keep costs down and choose the contractor offering the lowest bid possible. However, low driveway sealcoating bids don't always guarantee quality and reliability. Here's what you need to know about bidding for sealcoating and other maintenance services.

What Should I Expect Typical Asphalt Sealcoating Costs to Be?

Driveway sealing costs will vary based on many factors, including the size of your asphalt driveway or parking lot, what materials a contractor uses, what repair or preparation work needs to occur before asphalt sealing, etc. However, once you understand those details, you should see some similarities across bids. The costs of materials should be similar from one contractor to another. What changes most is labor and timeframes. When getting quotes detailing the total asphalt sealcoating cost, pay attention to the details. Look at how many gallons of sealant contractors will use, how many layers they'll apply and more. If there are glaring discrepancies, consider them a huge red flag.

How Do Shady or Inexperienced Contractors Offer a Low Sealcoating Bid?

There are a few ways that a contractor might try to "stiff" you by offering a lower bid. Unfortunately, shady companies do exist. They use the general lack of knowledge about driveway sealcoating to exploit uninformed property owners. Some unscrupulous practices include applying only one thick coat of sealer, watering down the products they use, etc. Inexperience may be a factor, too. Asphalt sealcoating looks simple, but doing a great job requires substantial expertise. Companies might offer a lower bid because they don't factor in the time and labor needed for multiple thin coats. Or, they may not realize how important site preparation is. That inexperience can cause newer contractors to offer significantly lower bids. While you'll pay less to cover asphalt sealcoating costs, you also get what you pay for!

What Are Some Red Flags I Should Look for When Gathering Sealcoating Bids?

You need a reliable and experienced contractor to maintain your asphalt driveway. When communicating with companies you're considering hiring, pay attention to what they say and do. Quotes should be itemized. They should cover the total driveway sealing costs, including expenses for material, labor and more. If your contractor only provides a vague number, that's cause for concern. It's also wise to avoid any contractor that becomes dismissive of your questions and concerns. A reliable company will eagerly answer your questions about the process, the company's techniques, its experience level, etc. It's a massive red flag if a contractor can't answer basic questions about the company or the driveway sealcoating process.

How Do I Choose a Reliable Asphalt Sealcoating Contractor?

Getting bids to understand the total driveway sealing cost is just half the battle. Unscrupulous and inexperienced companies will say anything to earn your business. It's up to you to do your due diligence. Compare all quotes and look through the itemized bids to understand how much asphalt sealcoating costs. Then, research the contractors. Look at public reviews, read testimonials from past clients, study photos of previous work and more. You can also ask the contractor for references or a portfolio of their work. Reliable companies will have no issues providing that information. Use what you find during your research to choose a contractor you can trust. Price is an important factor, but you want to confirm that you're choosing a company that will do a fantastic job. Only then can you ensure your asphalt sealing will last. Let E. Wells Paving take care of all your asphalt sealing needs. We're a trusted paving company that serves property owners and managers in Buffalo Junction, Danville, South Boston, VA, and the surrounding areas. Our services include sealcoating asphalt driveways, repairs, maintenance and more. When you turn to E. Wells Paving, you can expect top-quality customer service and reliability. We back our work with a one-year warranty. That's how much we believe in our capabilities! Call E. Wells Paving at (434)443-5721 for a free quote. You can also use our online contact form or email us at ewellspaving98@gmail.com for more information.