Paving your driveway is a major investment and one you’ll have to deal with for years to come. It could also have a significant effect on your home’s value and its overall aesthetics. But that’s not the only thing you should keep in mind. There are many other factors that you need to take into consideration to make sure that you have a driveway that is functional and fits your needs. You also have to make sure that the job is done the right way. Here are some of the things you should consider before paving your driveway.
What Kind of Usage are You Going to Make of it
This is probably the first thing you have to keep in consideration. For instance, if you intend to do some heavy-duty work, such as car repairs, for instance, then something like asphalt or aggregate might be a better option. Asphalt is easy to maintain and will conceal stains as well. Concrete might also be an option but is much costlier and harder to maintain.
Your Budget
The second thing you’ll have to take into consideration is the budget. You’ll have to look not only at installation and material costs but the cost of ownership as well. For instance, asphalt might be one of the cheapest options both to install and in terms of material, but you will have to have it resurfaced regularly for it to maintain its appearance and integrity. While that’s a good trade-off to some, this is still something you’ll have to keep in mind when picking options.
Find the Right Team
No matter what, however, the most important thing is to make sure that you work with a reliable paving company. One of the things you can do to check their reputation is to check their BBB rating.
The BBB is an independent consumer advocacy group that allows people to file complaints against certain businesses. Check if the company is registered and for how long. Check if they have any complaints, and what the nature of the complaints are.
Note, however, that it’s perfectly normal for contractors to have a few complaints, especially if they’re been around for years. What you want to look for are recurring issues.
The next thing you want to make sure is that they’re actually licensed and bonded. This will ensure that your property is protected against damage and that you won’t have to rely on your homeowner’s policy to cover it, which could eventually lead to higher premiums. But the worst thing that could happen is if you work with a contractor that doesn’t have its employees covered and one of them ends up getting injured. Or if they end up injuring someone on your premises. In these cases, you might be facing legal repercussions and have to suffer the consequences of their actions.
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Conclusion
So, before you start, make sure that you take all of these points into consideration, and make the right choices. This will allow you to get the results you desire and a driveway you’ll actually enjoy.