Choosing the right asphalt contractor in Houston means paying attention to the following:
- The paving contractor’s work experience and quality
- The contractor’s history with previous clients and their reputation
- The asphalt contractor’s available resources including machinery and manpower
- The contractor’s professionalism and project management knowledge
- The contractor’s additional expertise and skill set (such as site preparation)
Paving contractors in Houston are not required to hold an industry-specific license, so there is no single document a contractor can show you to prove their expertise. Instead, you will need to consider all the above factors to choose the right asphalt contractor in Houston.
1) The Houston Asphalt Contractor’s Work Experience and Quality
The most important factor when choosing a Houston asphalt contractor is verifying can they do the job properly. You will not be able to verify this using some form of licensing or certification, so you will need to review the paving contractor’s work history.
Reputable asphalt contractors have worked on notable pavement projects in the past. This may include work with utility companies, government agencies or major commercial clients. If your asphalt contractor has a work portfolio that includes clients like these, it is a sign that their services and practices are respected.
Of course, a Houston paving contractor should have local asphalt work that you may be able to review in person. This could be a road, a parking lot or another piece of asphalt pavement. Quality asphalt may have some minor cracking, but it should be free of significant fracturing, warping or potholes if it has been installed recently.
2) The Paving Team’s Prior Work History and Reputation with Clients
If you are unable to inspect the contractor’s previous work in person, another option is to contact previous clients directly and get their first-hand account of the contractor’s work quality.
It is standard practice for potential clients to contact previous clients when major pavement work is involved as it is an investment for the property owner. Reputable paving teams should willingly provide this information, as they have satisfied clients they can point to.
While researching a Houston asphalt contractor, contact these previous clients and confirm the important details. Is their asphalt still in good shape? Was the contractor trustworthy and punctual? Was the contractor communicative and professional?
These answers will give you the insight you need to move forward or choose another Houston contractor.
3) The Paving Company’s Access to Critical Project Resources
Machinery and manpower are the keys that every paving contractor needs to get the job done. Both will also be necessary for your asphalt project, so it is important to verify that your team will have the necessary resources.
One way to verify this is to, once again, refer to the contractor’s work portfolio. If they have executed large commercial-scale jobs in the past, or if they have completed many jobs in recent history, they likely have access to sufficient work resources. It is worth asking the paving contractor if they will have the manpower and machinery necessary during your project’s expected timeline just to make sure.
4) The Houston Asphalt Contractor’s Professionalism and Project Knowledge
Expertise and skill are essential, but so is professionalism. Does the asphalt contractor communicate well? Can they provide a detailed estimate (in writing) of the job, its scope and its cost? Do they have a plan to mitigate any safety risks or noise/dust concerns with the property’s neighbors? What will the paving team do if the site’s soil is too unstable to build on? Your asphalt contractor should have an answer for all these questions and any potential roadblocks.
Your asphalt contractor should also have the big picture in mind when organizing the project. For example, will the asphalt team pull the relevant permits for the job? Every paving project in Houston must be permitted to avoid fines or delays, and a reputable asphalt company will ensure those permits are attained before breaking ground.
5) The Pavement Team’s Experience with Other Important Work Processes
Many asphalt paving contractors in Houston can do more than just install asphalt. They may also have valuable site preparation skills, or experience installing concrete. In general, you can often save money working with a single contractor for all of your property development needs, so if you anticipate needing some dirt work on top of your asphalt work (like grading the site for better drainage or stabilizing unstable soils), then pick a contractor who has experience in site development as well, particularly for commercial sites.
The Right Asphalt Contractor in Houston Brings Experience, Professionalism and a Strong Reputation to the Job
Choosing the right asphalt contractor in Houston is ultimately a judgement call. Does the contractor you are considering have the work history and satisfied clients that indicates a positive reputation? Do they have experience working with projects similar to yours in both objective and scope? Do they have an answer on how they intend to deal with heavy traffic or nearby neighbors?
Asphalt pavement is a significant investment for property owners and one that should provide many years of value. To ensure your organization gets that value, choose a Houston asphalt contractor whose work shows best practices and whose team exudes professionalism.
- Choosing the Right Asphalt Contractor in Houston - May 14, 2025
- Importance of Having an Asphalt Maintenance Solution in Houston - April 24, 2025
- Common Challenges in Site Clearing - April 15, 2025