When it comes to asphalt maintenance, sealcoating is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your pavement. Not only does sealcoating make your asphalt look great, but it also helps protect it from the elements and extends its life.

As with any other service, though, some contractors are nothing more than scam artists. So how can you tell if a sealcoating contractor is reputable or not?

Here are six signs for you to watch out for!

No. 1: Door-to-Door Soliciting

While we’re not looking down our noses at small start-up businesses, asphalt maintenance is not the kind of service that should be offered door-to-door. If a sealcoating contractor comes knocking on your door, they might not be legitimate.

A reputable sealcoating company will have a website and some form of advertising. Still, they won’t need to resort to soliciting customers in person.

No. 2: Reluctance to Reference

A common request posed to asphalt contractors is for a list of references that you can contact to ask about the quality of their work. If a sealcoating contractor is legitimate, they will have no problem providing you with this information.

On the other hand, if they try to avoid answering this question or give you vague answers, likely, they’re not on the up and up. Or worse, they may have asphalt scams they’re trying to hide in their past.

No. 3: Unlettered Trucks

Not all reputable companies have to feature lettered vehicles. Still, in most cases, asphalt companies that don’t have any company markings on their trucks or equipment are probably not worth your time. This indicates they’re not professional and lack the experience to do quality work.

Or, on a darker note, asphalt scammers will sometimes use unlettered trucks to avoid being traced if something goes wrong. If a company can’t be bothered to put their name on their vehicles, move on to someone who takes asphalt maintenance more seriously.

No. 4: Pricing Problems

Typical scammers will try to pull the old bait-and-switch on asphalt customers. They’ll give you a low estimate to get your business and then compromise the quality of the materials or workmanship to make up for their loss.

Furthermore, they might try to high-pressure you into buying their services by offering limited-time discounts that will “expire” if you don’t act now.

No. 5: The Cash Question

Any contractor who demands cash-only payments is probably trying to avoid paying taxes. But more importantly, they’re making it difficult for you to get your money back if something goes wrong.

If you’re required to pay in cash or with a check written out to “Cash,” that’s a major red flag. It can lead to many problems down the road, so it’s best to walk away from that deal.

Conclusion

Stay away from these common sealcoating scams by knowing what to look for, and you’ll be sure to find a reliable contractor who will do a great job on your asphalt. And if you’re in Shamong, NJ, check out Garden State Paving & Seal Coating, LLC.

Our clients are like family to us, and we always work hard to ensure they’re happy with our work. Get your quote today!