Asphalt Paving Scams

Thinking about sealcoating your parking lot? Need potholes repaired? Or maybe it’s time for a total parking lot replacement? Whatever the case, if your parking area looks like it’s in need of repair, you could be the target of an asphalt paving scam.

Unfortunately, every industry has unscrupulous individuals and the paving industry isn’t immune. These dishonest people come to your place of business claiming to represent a professional asphalt paving company or even present themselves as an out of work contractor. They often provide a cheap quote, but what usually happens is that they either do a poor job or take a partial payment and disappear. While we’ve all probably hear of these scenarios playing out with elderly homeowners, believe it or not, they occur in the business world too. Don’t be a victim!

How to Spot a Fake
If a contractor offers you a great price on a paving job, but requires full payment upfront or you feel like you’re pressured into making a commitment -- it’s time to walk away. Often con-artists will use high pressure sales techniques making business owners feel the need to act right now to get a special one-time offer. They’ll need the cash upfront to seal the deal, and that’s how you end up cash poor with no asphalt work being done!

A legitimate paving contractor will be in no hurry to take your money. They will provide a detailed estimate and will make sure you are satisfied with the paving work when the job is completed. Just remember; never allow work to commence on your property without having a fully signed contract in hand. And, if you don’t feel comfortable with the price, the sales rep, or any part of the “deal”, it’s probably not a deal after all.

Get to Know Your Asphalt Company
How do most companies find a great asphalt contractor? They do some research on potential contractors and ask any company they are thinking about going with for references. If the company has been around for more than a decade, they must be doing something right. If they have a long list of verifiable references, you’re pretty well assured to get a professional job done well. Another thing to look for if they are will to come out and give a free estimate. Not only will a good paving contractor will provide you with a free detailed estimate, he’ll attend job walks, deliver presentations and ensure all your project needs are met.

What You Need to Know About Bids
When reviewing bids, be sure to pay close attention to the entire proposal; including the letterhead that it’s composed. Be sure that everything you expect from your paving project is included in the scope. Make sure you understand everything that is taking place. Be sure you understand how the job will be scheduled, how thick the pavement will be, how much rock will be installed and the dimensions or square footage.

Follow these tips and you’ll be able to avoid an asphalt paving scam and get your paving work done professionally too!

About ABC Paving and Sealcoating

With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida's leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs, site preparation and signs and safety devices. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at http://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.

AFS for the Budget Conscious Manager

Facilities executives like you know that budgets for commercial buildings are tight. Contracting with a single provider helps you control and monitor costs, while maintaining your property in good repair.

A well-maintained property not only keeps tenants happy and paying rent, it removes safety hazardous which can be financially devastating should a lawsuit occur. It also assures a longer lifespan for facilities line items like the parking lot, the building structure and the mechanical and electrical components of the buildings. How so?

• Taking care of your parking lot involves sweeping it on a regular basis, filling asphalt cracks and sealcoating on a regular basis. If these tasks are not completed on a set schedule, sand, rocks, trash, and even vegetation will cause the surface of your asphalt pavement to erode, unravel and basically fall apart. Once the process starts, it’s a slippery slope that can result a large cash outlay for total asphalt replacement. Parking lots that are well maintained – regularly swept, sealcoated and have their cracks filled, require less of a financial strain on an ongoing basis than the cost of a total asphalt pavement replacement.

• Buildings that are pressure washed, caulked and painted regularly protect your tenants from the elements. Sealing your commercial facility keeps out not only the rain and wind, but also the bugs which can have a devastating effect on the structure and its tenants! Properly maintaining a building’s exterior protects the structures integrity thereby extending the life of the asset while maintaining or even improving upon the value of the asset.

• Regular maintenance issues such as mechanical and electrical repairs resolve smaller issues that occur on a day-to-day basis. Left unmanaged, they could turn into big problems. A leaky toilet can become a flooded office building. A short in a light fixture could mean a tenant falls down a dark staircase. An un-kept lobby or reception area could mean the loss of a big account. Contracting with a one-stop-shop for all your commercial needs makes good financial sense for the short-run and the long-run. Not only will you be able to track expenditureers more closely, but also you’ll have one company managing all of your facilities maintenance needs.

As the president of Orlando’s leading facilities maintenance company has said, “The key to any successful commercial facility service is the ability to effectively pay attention to the details. It’s the details that separate building service companies apart from one another.” So, having said that, the question now is, “How can we help you?"

About American Facility Services

Providing both interior and exterior commercial building services throughout the state of Florida since 1993, American Facility Services (AFS) has built a solid reputation based on safety, quality and customer service. With offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, AFS’ portfolio of commercial facility services enable our clients the convenience of working with a single provider for all their commercial property needs. Contact AFS today at 866-793-3735 or visit our website at http://www.afsflorida.com for an online proposal.