Earlier this month we used two blogs to talk about a few of the things you should be looking for when you are shopping around for a quality contractor. While you can follow the rules and read all of our advice, often it comes down to instinct. Do you like the contractor? Do you feel like you can trust the contractor? If you can answer yes to both of these questions, that is a good sign. That isn’t all, though. You can like and trust someone who isn’t good at their job. To get to the bottom of this last part, looking closely at their estimate can offer you some hints.
Size Matters
One of the main factors in any paving estimate is the size of the job. The bigger the job, the more expensive the it is going to be. There are certain ways contractors estimate the size of a job, although sometimes estimators use their own techniques.
Additional Factors
Of course, size isn’t everything. There should be many additional items in the estimate. These items could include, but are not limited to cost associated with mobilization, trucking, materials, preparation and installation. If you see any terms in the estimate that you are not familiar with, ASK FOR CLARIFICATION!! You should never get charged for something unless you know what it is. More complex surface areas will usually be more expensive. If you are paving a simple rectangular driveway, it should be cheaper than a more complex design. Consider this knowledge when assessing the estimate.
