 The Better Business Bureau advises homeowners to take the time to
choose a contractor they can trust. When looking to hire a
contractor for your driveway, BBB recommends the following tips:
Check references. Ask for local references and verify that
the contractor is in compliance with all local licensing, bonding
and insuring requirements. Always check out a contractor on
www.bbb.org before doing business
with them. Before you agree to a paving or paving repair job, there
are three things to check: the status of the contractor's license,
whether the contractor's bond is current, and the contractor's
complaint resolution history with BBB. You may want to make sure
that the contracting company is a member of an industry trade
association such as National Asphalt Pavement Association.
Get it in writing. Be sure that the contract spells out which
party is responsible for grading and sub-grading, equipment and
materials, labor, pavement thickness and smoothness, etc. Make sure
the payment schedule is satisfactory and that there is a clear
guarantee or warranty for the work. Also, get in writing an
agreement that your yard is to be returned to pre-construction
condition. Don't sign an agreement without understanding it.
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 Know your rights. If you hire a contractor, pay by check or
credit card when the work is completed to your satisfaction. If you
are dealing with a traveling contractor, be extra cautious, make
sure to ask for identification and note the license plate number on
the contractor's vehicle. If you get "buyer's remorse," you may be
able to change your mind after the contract is signed:
In the U.S., the
Federal Trade Commission has a
three-day cooling-off rule for in-home purchases.
For more tips, visit
www.bbb.org/news, and check out the BBB Facebook page for the
latest news.
For 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping
consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In
2012, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for
reviews on more than 4 million companies and reports on 11,000
charities, all available for free at
www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the
umbrella organization for 114 local, independent BBBs across the
United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs
on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.
[Text from file received from the
Better Business Bureau of
Central Illinois]
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