Common Contractor Shortcuts That Cost You More Than Just Migraines

When you hire a contractor, you want to know that you're going to get the job done and that it's going to be done right. If not, you would never invest the money in the project, right? Unfortunately, some contractors don't look at things this way. They are ready to cut corners in any way they can so that they have to do less work and still receive your money. They don't care if it costs you more money in the long run or more heartache. All they care about is themselves. The goal of this article is to inform you of these common contractor shortcuts which will end up costing you more than just migraines.

Scams

One of the things you need to watch out for is contractor scams. You may be approached by a contractor who claims to have just enough asphalt left over to pave your driveway from another job and offer to repave it for an extremely low price. Of course, this looks like a great deal to you so you go ahead and pay the money. Unfortunately, either the contractor disappears with the money and you have no brand new repaved driveway or they do repave it, but they do a terrible job. By the time you figure out that something is wrong, they are long gone. Never trust someone who approaches you and offers to pave your driveway. Call contractors on your own and make sure the company is legitimate.

Overcharging

Another thing you may encounter is contractors who overcharge to repave your driveway. There are many different materials which go into paving your driveway, like the stone and the asphalt. There are also different grades of stone and asphalt. You could end up paying for the highest grade and getting the lowest grade. Take your contractor through each step of the paving process and find out exactly what materials you're getting and what you are paying for them. If you are suspicious of a company, call another company and compare the materials with the price of the job. This comparison should help you determine what is standard and what is not.

Down Payments

Another thing you may want to watch out for is a company that requires a down payment. They may tell you they need your down payment to take care of the materials. It should make you wonder what sort of company can't purchase the materials without you pre-paying. Make sure you get a free estimate before the contractor begins the work too. The price they estimate should be very, very close to the actual price you pay. Small overages may be understandable but if you're asked to pay a completely different price, things are not right.

By watching out for common shortcuts that contractors take, you can avoid paying more money than you should have, getting swindled or taken advantage of and receiving poorly done work.

The only company which does not charge a down payment in the greater Toronto area is Ludwig Paving (http://www.LudwigPaving.com).

Ludwig Paving is a full service paving and asphalt company. Handling all of your paving needs, from driveways, parking lots, and maintenance, they are Toronto's most trusted asphalt company. Having been in business for more than 25 years, they are the top choice for any kind of paving. For more information, visit http://www.LudwigPaving.com today.