Neighbor called about my driveway

[debodun]

He said he was having a contractor come and give him an estimate to have his driveway sealcoated and wanted to know if I wanted him to talk to me (a friend of a friend deal). I said he could look at my driveway and write his estimate on a business card and leave it in the mailbox. I am not enthused about having my driveway done this time of year with cold weather setting in (I've heard it's best done in warm weather).

I also feel that sealcoating is like spraying over a car's rust spot. The damage is still there and will eventually resurface. What needs to be done is remove the old asphalt, regrade and put in all new asphalt. I did get estimates 2 years ago, but the lowest quite was for $12,000 for a 50 foot long and 20 foot wide driveway.

There goes 4 month's pension!

 

[Kaila]

I have no idea, of course,
But it just made me wonder if the contractor told your neighbor that he'd take some money off of his,

if neighbor got someone else on the street to either have driveway done too , or even to simply have an estimate on the same trip.

 

[Kaila]

I didn't mean that your neighbor doesn't mean well and hopes to help you out at the same time.
I would assume he means well.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

We had an asphalt drive done to a former house approximately 20 years ago. After getting the work done, THEN he suggests seal coating (for an additional price, of course). We said no. I no longer own that house, but drive by it now and then, and the drive still looks okay. I seriously doubt the new owners applied seal coat,

There are mixed answers as to whether or not seal coating is worth the money. Also, it depends on the present condition of your drive. If it has cracks or potholes, those should be repaired first and allowed to cure for a period of time before applying seal coat, or the seal coat expense is just a wasted effort.

 

[bobcat]

Guys who come around and leave cards like that are very likely fly-by-night sketchy operations. Don't trust them.
They just sweep your driveway, and then spray on a thin watered-down coat of sealer that is short-lived.
Use an established driveway sealer company in your area, and make sure they use a quality product and apply it with a squeegee/broom (Not a spray on).

Ensure that the driveway cracks are repaired first and driveway is clean and prepped. Make sure the weather is a warmer day and no inclement weather for 48 hrs. Don't buy or use a cheap sealer. Use a quality one like Henry's Drive Max 700, or Drive Max 1000. They are an emulsified sealer and carry a good warranty. Don't drive on it until dry, time depends on temperature.

 

[Aunt Bea]

It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind, why waste the man’s time to prepare an estimate for work you don’t intend to have done.