How to Avoid Asphalt Scams

In Williamsville & Orchard Park, NY

Select Your Asphalt Contractor Wisely!

As the weather gets warmer in Western New York and the asphalt paving season begins, consumers are warned to be extremely cautious when selecting a contractor to pave a driveway or parking lot.

Loewer Paving is a trusted residential and commercial paving contractor serving Clarence, East Amherst, Lancaster, Newstead, Orchard Park, Williamsville, and the surrounding areas. Customers know they can rely on us for quality driveway and parking lot paving because of not only our years of experience, but also our strong reputation throughout the community. This will not be the case, however, for everyone who comes knocking at your door or posts a sign in your neighborhood claiming to offer asphalt paving and repair services.

Annual Driveway Paving Scams

Each spring, bands of con artists, often referred to as traveling criminals or fly-by-night pavers, enter our state in order to scam unsuspecting homeowners and businesspeople. Their favorite targets are senior citizens.

Here are 7 asphalt paving warning signs:

1. Selling door-to-door: Reputable asphalt contractors will sometimes offer their services if they are doing a legitimate job in the immediate area. Always ask for references.
   
2. Claiming they have leftover asphalt from another job: Professional asphalt contractors will know, with great accuracy, how much paving material is needed to complete a project. Rarely will they have leftover material. Some of the reasons a contractor might have leftover material are weather, equipment problems, cancellations. etc.
   
3. Push you to make a quick decision: Reputable contractors will provide a written estimate that will be valid for weeks or months. If the great deal they are offering you today is not available tomorrow or next week, it may be a scam.
   
4. No contract offered: Insist upon a written contract specifying in detail the work to be performed and the agreed-upon price.
   
5. Cash-only sales: Most reputable contractors take checks or credit cards and don’t require cash-only terms.
   
6. Deals that seem to be good to be true: If the quoted price seems very low, chances are the quality of the work will also be quite low.
   
7. Unmarked truck: Often the trucks scammers travel in are unmarked or they have an out-of-town address and phone number. A little research will reveal that they have no permanent address, and the phone number is often an answering machine.
   

A professionally designed and properly constructed asphalt pavement will last for many years, and most reputable contractors will stand behind their work. Know who you are doing business with. Consumers are safer dealing with a contractor who has roots in the community. Loewer Paving has been in business for 18 years, and Ken Loewer has lived in the Clarence area all his life. We are the local company to choose for blacktop paving, driveway resurfacing, asphalt repair, and more. Our paving contractors proudly serve both residential and commercial customers throughout Clarence, East Amherst, Lancaster, Newstead, Orchard Park, Williamsville, and beyond. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about asphalt scams today!