Some people hunt for bargains all the time, no matter how inexpensive the item might be. Others reserve their bargain-hunting techniques only when they are purchasing a costly item. During bad economic times, the number of people in each category increases.
However, as all true bargain hunters know, the best bargain is not always the item with the lowest price. For any purchase to be considered a bargain, it must be of sufficient quality to meet your needs, provide the benefits you desire and not end up costing you more in the long run. For example, buying a pre-owned car that soon requires costly repairs instead of a new car that has an extended warranty is not a bargain if the purchase price of the used car plus the repairs exceed the cost of a new one. It also is not much of a bargain if you hate driving the car, such as finding yourself stuck with a manual transmission when you have knee problems and frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic.
Interestingly, many people who are well aware of the pitfalls of basing decisions solely on price will still choose the lowest bid when contracting for asphalt-related services. It is not always a mistake to select the lowest quote, but you should consider other factors before you do.
• Are all contractors quoting the same specifications? For example, perhaps Contractor A is specifying a different depth for asphalt pavement than Contractor B, or Contractor C is the only one including sealcoating in his bid.
• Does the contractor with the lowest bid have a solid reputation? Contractors who have garnered a great many customer complaints may have damaged reputations, requiring them to severely undercut prices to obtain any work at all.
• Does the contractor and his crew have experience with the particular product or technique that your job requires? A contractor who has never installed a downward-sloping driveway, for example, might not understand the drainage issues that will need to be addressed.
Saving money on asphalt-related work is fine, but only if you are receiving true value. A sealcoating job at half-price is no bargain if you must have the sealant reapplied in two months instead of two years. New asphalt pavement installed for 75 percent of the price other contractors quoted is not a good bargain if it shows severe cracks after the first freeze.
At All Pro Asphalt, we base our quotes on what it will take to provide the customer with quality, long-lasting results that fit each customer’s specific needs. Sometimes, our quotes are the lowest, but at other times, they may not be. What you can count on is that we are offering the most cost-effective solution for your needs without compromising on quality. Whether you need asphalt repairs, new pavement or parking lot maintenance, our crews have the expertise to do the job right the first time. You can use our online form to request a free estimate, or feel free to call us at 816-249-6800.
