Most property owners are now opting for asphalt paving due to its quick assembly, strength, and simplicity. No wonder asphalt is considered the most appealing and cost-effective choice of pavement today. 
But remember that there are plenty of factors that can affect the outcome of an asphalt paving project. When choosing the right asphalt paving contractor, opting for the lowest bid isn’t always the best move! 
You have to consider the following factors so you can make a well-informed decision. 

1. Years of experience
Leaning on the knowledge and experience of the Paving Contractor will help you make wise choices for your home. Those who can communicate in an informed way while delivering great examples of challenging projects are most likely the best partners for your asphalt paving project. 
Determine the type of equipment that the paving contractors use. If they use machines that often break down, the completion of the asphalt paving project can be delayed. Remember that asphalt cools fast, so waiting too long for the asphalt to be installed will affect the appearance of the pavement once finished.
An efficient asphalt paving contractor makes use of the most advanced paving machines to ensure a long-lasting, great-looking asphalt pavement. Also remember that if it is a rainy season, this can delay the schedule and is not in any way a contractor's fault. 

2. Sufficient crew
Check if the asphalt paving company has a sizeable team. Generally, an efficient asphalt paving crew will have five to seven workers. Being understaffed can delay and affect the outcome of the project.
You should also consider the experience of the crew. They should work as a well-trained team to ensure the best possible final driveway. Ask your contractor how many years of experience his team has. 

3. Scope of work
Some scope of work documents can be unclear. If you are getting bids from different paving contractors, a clear scope of work document will make it a lot easier for you to compare the bids of each service provider. Be aware of UPSELLING. Some bids may indicate giving More for Less as a tool to entice you to make a decision. If you are unsure about the scope of work, call the paving contractor to ask any questions and to clarify why they chose the particular work description. You want to do business with someone who is honest and not trying to sell you more than you need! 

Choose a detailed, accurate scope of work that meets your needs as this lays the foundation for an effective, durable paving project.

4. Insurance coverage
If a contractor gives you a much lower price, this possibly means that they aren’t insured. So if they figure in an accident, your homeowner’s policy will be used. Asking upfront if the contractor is insured will help you avoid this hidden fee.
To be protected, make sure that the paving contractor has insurance, General Liability and Workers Compensation. A Reputable company can provide this to you upon request. 

5. Warranty
A reputable contractor will stand by their work. Moreover, they make customer satisfaction their priority. A project warranty will ensure that the work is done to industry standards. 
Warranties may vary depending on the project circumstances, so make sure to have all information in writing before the project starts. Asphalt installation experts may also provide tips to extend the life of your newly paved surface. ASK YOUR PAVING CONTRACTOR FOR A QUOTE TO SEAL COAT YOUR DRIVEWAY WHICH IS RECOMMENDED 1 YR AFTER THE ASPHALT CURES. Most paving contractors can also maintain your asphalt!  Stay away from companies that have a history of complaints filed in the past. Instead, check out their Reviews on Google. 

6. CUSTOMER SERVICE 
 Remember, asphalt paving season is very busy but you want to be able to reach your contractor. Do they try to answer the phone & if not, do they return your calls or emails in a timely manner? Do they make notes of your concerns and requests so they make you feel more personable? Paving Companies, big or small, should make every customer feel important! 

Being aware of these SIX factors to consider will guarantee that you’ll get high-quality bids and eventually choose the right paving contractor best suited for your asphalt paving project.

AUTHOR BIO
Gary Wells Sr offers 40 yrs of experience and has built a reputable family business along with his son Gary Jr and an experienced hard working team offering quality and a reputation that is hard to beat. Gary's wife Jennifer has been in the industry for 30 years and will be who you can count on for answers to questions, estimating and scheduling. Shelby assists in answering phones and emails as well!  Invest In the Best! Call GW Paving Inc today!  802-598-5025
Email: [email protected]
www.gwpavinginc.com
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Did​ you just have your driveway repaved with a brand new asphalt overlay? Or maybe a new layer of sealcoat? Or perhaps you are a company owner that just finished construction on a new commercial parking lot? Either way, you may start to notice tire marks as business or traffic picks up. Tire scuff marks are a common occurrence to newly-paved or seal-coated asphalt, and for many reasons. Before you pick up the phone to have a word with your paving company, it is encouraged to investigate a bit further, and find out why tire marks appear on newly-paved asphalt in the first place. Continue reading to learn what causes asphalt tire scuffing, and gain a better understanding of what to expect from your pavement.
Fortunately, there is no need to panic about tire marks since they will eventually fade after a few months. There are several reasons why freshly-paved or seal-coated asphalt is subject to tire scuffing, but they can all be narrowed down to five specific ones. If you have questions about any of these causes, feel free to contact your paving company afterwards to discuss them in detail. They can give you expert information, answers, and advice regarding asphalt paving, sealcoating, and more. For now, start by reviewing the 5 most common factors that cause asphalt tire marks, below.

Tire Scuffing
Fortunately, there is no need to panic about tire marks since they will eventually fade after a few months. There are several reasons why freshly-paved or seal-coated asphalt is subject to tire scuffing, but they can all be narrowed down to five specific ones. If you have questions about any of these causes, feel free to contact your paving company afterwards to discuss them in detail. They can give you expert information, answers, and advice regarding asphalt paving, sealcoating, and more. For now, start by reviewing the 5 most common factors that cause asphalt tire marks, below.

1. The Age of Pavement – New pavement, or pavement with a new layer of sealcoat, is more susceptible to tire scuff marks since it is still soft and malleable. As it hardens, tire marks begin to disappear. Asphalt requires flexibility to maintain maximum durability, but as it ages, it loses this attribute.
2. Outdoor Temperatures – The time of year affects the rate at which asphalt hardens after being laid. Hot weather will slow the curing process, keeping pavement soft and flexible a little longer than usual. And we already mentioned that soft pavement allows for tire marks. 
3. Vehicle Weight – New asphalt pavement that experiences frequent traffic from heavy vehicles, like trucks, buses, and vans, is more susceptible to tire scuffing. Stationary 180-degree turns, sudden braking, sharp turns, and trucks with power steering are common causes for tire marks..
4. Type of Tires – The type and size of tires play a major role in producing tire scuff marks in new pavement. Most standard tires can and will cause this to happen, but tires with aggressive tread patterns, steel-belted radial tires, and off-road trucks and SUVs will guarantee it.
5. Type of Asphalt – The type of asphalt will also influence the likelihood of tire scuffing on new pavement. Course aggregate is less likely to scuff, whereas, a thin sealcoat will.

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Topeka, Kansas in approx. 1894-6
If you thought Asphalt was a new industry, think again. The following article from the National Asphalt Pavement Association is not only informative but is interesting as well.


History of Asphalt
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the beloved Little House on the Prairie, tells of her first encounter with an asphalt pavement.  She was on a wagon journey with her parents in 1894 that took them through Topeka.
"In the very midst of the city, the ground was covered by some dark stuff that silenced all the wheels and muffled the sound of hoofs.  It was like tar, but Papa was sure it was not tar, and it was something like rubber, but it could not be rubber because rubber cost too much.  We saw ladies all in silks and carrying ruffled parasols, walking with their escorts across the street.  Their heels dented the street, and while we watched, these dents slowly filled up and smoothed themselves out.  It was as if that stuff were alive.  It was like magic."
Today, this dark, resilient material covers more than 94 percent of the paved roads in the United States; it’s the popular choice for driveways, parking lots, airport runways, racetracks, tennis courts, and other applications where a smooth, durable driving surface is required.  Called at various times asphalt pavement, blacktop, tarmac, macadam, plant mix, asphalt concrete, or bituminous concrete, asphalt pavements have played an important role in changing the landscape and the history of the U.S. since the late 19th century. But the story of asphalt begins thousands of years before the founding of the United States.  Asphalt occurs naturally in both asphalt lakes and in rock asphalt (a mixture of sand, limestone, and asphalt).
The first recorded use of asphalt as a road building material was in Babylon around 615 BCE, in the reign of King Nabopolassar.
To read more of this article from the National Asphalt Pavement Association about the history of asphalt, click on the link below.
http://www.asphaltpavement.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=41