Consumer Beware!
Consumer Beware! No matter if you are a
residential or commercial customer there
are pavement "rip-off artists" and
unscrupulous contractors looking for
you.
Here are a few tips on common scam
tactics and how to avoid those "fly by
night" contractors.
First a very basic rule. Never contract
any job on impulse, no matter what the
good reason or "today only" bargain
seems to be.
1. Avoid the old "left over materials"
line. Someone stops by and says they
have some materials left over from
another job and offer you a great deal
right now. Reputable contractors
calculate materials carefully and seldom
have more than a small amount of
"leftovers" never enough to do an entire
other job.
2. Beware of "fancy" trucks with small
rollers or equipment carried on light
"utility" type trailers, and "drag box"
asphalt spreaders that pull behind the
dump truck
3. Look out for price units. Bids quoted
by "gallons, tons, square feet, etc."
are usually rip-offs waiting to happen.
Do you know pavement work well enough to
know for sure how many units the
contractor used? A common ploy is to
charge per gallon for sealcoating or to
charge for asphalt work by the ton. Stay
away from these guys. A good contractor
gives firm bids with a "total" price.
4. Beware the non-local. Does it really
make sense for a contractor with out of
state plates or from 100 miles away to
be at your door or office?
5. Does the deal sound to good to be
true? It usually is.
6. There are too many others to list but
remember the basic rule. Use common
sense and never decide "right now" on a
job you didn't ask for first.
Finally, do not be afraid to ask
questions. Know what you are getting,
for what price. If they will not answer
your questions, call us, WE WILL!
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