Paving Driveway

[debodun]

My doorbell rang and and it was a driveway paving contractor looking for work. I admit my driveway DOES need work, but I am dubious about a company that has to go out and solicit it. He wanted to do it TODAY and added that he was in the area now and if he had to come back, it would cost more. To do a complete tear up and repaving would be $7500 and to do just a resurfacing would be $5500. The driveway is about 1500 sq ft.

Just want an opinion if that is a reasonable price.

 

[NorthernLight]

Sounds scammy to me. A reputable operator wouldn't use that combination of tactics.

 

[Myrtle]

I don’t know about the price but that’s a lot of money to pay someone that came to the door. Please check him out and get another bid.

 

[Alligatorob]

Say no! If you want your driveway done do some research and find a reputable contractor.

Tarmac scam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarmac_scam

 

[debodun]

I also mentioned that I thought driveway were best resurfaced in warm weather. He responded that this is a good time of year because the cold makes the asphalt set up quicker.

 

[debodun]

I did some online research and saw that reviewers on Yelp, almost all gave the company a 1 star rating. They also had one case filed agaist them with the BBB.

 

[hawkdon]

NO NO NO.......

 

[Lee]

Never seen anyone make check marks backwards like that, kind of weird. They do solicit for that type of work here by leaving a note or card in the mailbox.

Usually an estimate is provided, not a request to do it the same day.

Deb, my neighbor had that same type of work done 2 years ago, he was charged $2800 canadian. But keep in mind that Asphalt has gone up considerably in price since then due to it being an oil base product.

 

[JustDave]

Around here, it's hard to get a contractor to do anything. They have more work than they can handle.

 

[debodun]

Never seen anyone make check marks backwards like that, kind of weird.

He is left-handed.

 

[C50]

Do not trust that contractor, this is a scam that has been around for years. Most likely they will take a large deposit and never do the job, or use inferior products like tar thined with lots of oil.

I've heard those guys referred to as "travellers". They move thru areas contracting for roofing and driveway jobs, collect a bunch of deposits and disappear.

If your drive needs work call a few local companies and get quotes.

 

[George1959]

Don't do it. The trick with "I'm in the area now, but it would cost more later" is fraud.

 

[George1959]

If your drive needs work call a few local companies and get quotes.

This is always the best to handle it.

 

[hearlady]

Run the other way!

 

[Balzac]

Scam, for sure. Not even a very original one either.

 

[debodun]

At my old house, I had the 100 x 10 foot driveway redone from scratch (tear up old driveway. grade the soil, put down crushed stone and lay new asphalt) for $1600, but that was almost 20 years ago.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

This has happened to us often. They come to your door soliciting to do your driveway and make it sound like a great deal. They say that they are in the area anyway since they are doing xyz driveways down the road with the suggestion that they will have some extra asphalt which they will give you an extra good deal on BUT it never is. It’s basically a scam. The fact that it’s still quite cold out means it will take forever to dry and a better possibility of you getting unwanted tracks in it from others. I think it’s best to wait for the warmer weather when there’s more competition so you can get a better price and it will set properly.

 

[Marie5656]

NO. A scam....I would bet if your driveway needed it, and you called someone for a estimate it would be less. When I still lived in my house had a guy come cold selling vacuums

 

[Michael Z]

Most likely a scam. I had such a proposition last summer. They will do it partway after you pay. Then be gone.
The ploy of "Have to do it today" is a dead give away that it is a scam.

And they could be falsely claiming to be some other contractor.

 

[debodun]

They come to your door soliciting to do your driveway and make it sound like a great deal. They say that they are in the area anyway since they are doing xyz driveways down the road

You read his script!

 

[Lewkat]

No way, Deb. You find the contractor, not they find you. EVER!

 

[PeppermintPatty]

You read his script!

Darn! You caught me!

 

[hawkdon]

Ironically my drive is a bad mess...but no contractors ever
stop by....I think because they know it is a rental....

 

[Disgustedman]

Run, run, RUN!!!!!!!

 

[hollydolly]

Scam, scam, scam, scam.... we get them here a lot..