Our Southeast MI paving contractors are committed to working efficiently and producing quality results. However, not all asphalt companies share our work ethic. If your asphalt driveway is cracked or showing signs of age, your home could become a target for scammers.
We urge you to file a report with your local police department and the if you suspect you’re dealing with a scammer. Once well known, your information could work to prevent another homeowner from also being affected by a similar scam.
To help you weed out the bad actors, here are 4 red flags you should be on the lookout for when hiring an asphalt paving company.
1. Deep Discounts
Beware of people who knock on your door promising too-good-to-be-true discounts. When it comes to asphalt paving, you get what you pay for.
It’s worth taking your time to research companies before committing to asphalt driveway repair. Often, scammers offer low prices because they claim they’re using leftover materials from a previous job.
Keep in mind that what these scammers are offering is completely different from asphalt recycling. When our company uses recycled asphalt, we always make sure we have enough for your driveway. Scammers use scraps from a previous job only to partially repair your driveway. Then, when they run out of asphalt, they promise to return the next day only to disappear.
2. Out of State License Plates
You might not think to pay attention to the car someone’s driving but if a company representative has a license plate from out of state, it’s a red flag.
Established driveway pavers have spent years building their reputations doing quality work. On the flip side, scammers move from town to town to avoid getting caught. We recommend choosing a company that has been doing work in your area for several years and didn’t just blow in from who knows where.
For example, Allied Construction has been in business since 1972. Not only is our company local, but we also have been providing asphalt repair for more than 40 years.
Even if a company representative gives you a local phone number, this is no guarantee that they’re actually from your area. It’s not uncommon for scammers to give you a local phone number for a disposable phone. For this reason, always check out their license plates.
3. No Contact Information
If a legitimate business is going door to door, the first thing they’ll do is hand you their business card. Reputable want to build a relationship with you so you feel comfortable asking questions and setting up an estimate for asphalt repair. If a company representative doesn’t give you their card or direct you to a website, it’s because they don’t want you to be able to contact them when they skip town with your money.
Our team of contractors will always provide you with the information you need to get a hold of us. From names and numbers to our web address, we’ll make sure you know who to call.
4. Paying Cash Upfront
It’s a major red flag when a door-to-door salesperson pressures you to pay cash up front. They claim that the deep discount they’re offering is a limited-time opportunity, when in reality it’s just a scam.
Legitimate paving companies accept multiple forms of payment including cash, credit cards, and checks. A scammer doesn’t want to accept a check because they know you will try to cancel it once you realize their game.
Choose a Paving Company You Can Trust
The best way to avoid a paving scam is to research asphalt companies before giving them your business. Our asphalt contractors serving Southeastern Michigan have been repairing driveways in Clarkston, Brighton/Howell, Milford, Lapeer, and other surrounding communities since 1972. We have a record of quality service that you can trust.
Call Allied Construction today at (248) 625-9581, or contact us online to get a free estimate.
This blog post has been updated.