Asphalt makes up a large part of your home. It is important to hire a contractor who has the proper tools and services for your particular needs.

Be sure to ask your contractor for the following information:

·   Provide three references, including both recent and past jobs so you can contact their references and inspect the jobs. Is their credit in good standing?

·   Get at least three written estimates (compare apples to apples). The cheapest bid doesn’t always mean the best bid. Don’t automatically choose the lowest estimate. You may end up having to hire another contractor to re-do the

job. The proposal should contain starting and completion dates all site work and materials as well as a breakdown of taxes that you will incur. It should outline the scope of work and the terms of payment too.

·   Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Log onto www.bbbsc.org to get a reliability report. Or call 719-636-1155 to

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obtain information over the phone. You can find out how long they have been in business and how many complaints have been filed, if any, and if they were resolved.

·  Do they have a current liability insurance certificate? While they are on your property, they should be insured for any damage or injuries that may occur. Check your homeowner’s insurance policy for coverage of the contractor while on your property. Can the contractor provide proof that Workers Compensation insurance covers everyone on the job?

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·  Find out if the company guarantees their work for one year. Will they return in one year to inspect it?

new asphalt “cure” guidelines

Whether your pavement is newly built, or an overlay on top of an older surface, it can last more than 25 years if it is maintained. It is often said that asphalt, properly installed, virtually NEVER wears out. Instead, it is ‘ruined’ by not maintaining it.

Here are some tips to get long life from your asphalt surfaces.

It should be allowed to cure for 4-6 days depending upon the temperature and humidity of the air. It is important to keep people, bikes, cars etc. off it during this time.

Asphalt pavements are “flexible” pavements, which mean that they will adapt their shape to the surface beneath them, and to objects placed on them.

AVOID:

·   Parking your car in the same spot all of the time.

·   Turning your steering wheel when the car is not moving.

·   Sitting in chairs on the pavement.

·   Using a bicycle kickstand.

·   Parking a trailer/boat on the pavement without placing a piece of wood under each tire and hitch.