Asphalt Scams on the Rise: How to Avoid Fraud?
22 November 2019
Imagine the horror of seeing an unmarked truck rolling away, leaving you with a bad paving job in your driveway. And worse, a job that you’ve already paid for with no way of contacting the so-called company to demand your money back or redo their sloppy asphalt job.
Sadly, it happens all too often in the asphalt industry, and we want to arm you with the facts to help protect you from opportunistic criminals who take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners.
To help spot an unreputable contractor or fake paving company, check out these tips to avoid asphalt scams and see through false promises.
When it’s time to lay new asphalt in your driveway, be proactive instead of reactive. Do your own research by checking out local paving companies instead of waiting for an unknown, and potentially fraudulent company to knock at your door. Check the Better Business Bureau for any claims against the asphalt company that you’re considering, and find out how they handled those claims.
It’s your driveway and your money, so get in the driver’s seat and make the first move.
Door knockers selling their paving services feed many lines to con homeowners into agreeing to hire them.
Know the signs. A reputable paving company would never offer the following things:
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Leftover pavement from another job: the asphalt would be too cool for an effective paving job.
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No contract: a job without written confirmation of the expectations and fees leaves homeowners open to potential problems. Reputable companies want to protect their workers, as well, and will always offer a professionally written contract.
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Cash payment since we’re in the neighbourhood: first things first, find out which house they claim to have worked on and speak to the homeowner to find out if they are satisfied with the job. Chances are the salesperson won’t disclose the address (likely because they aren’t telling the truth).
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This deal ends today: scammers often push for quick decisions whereas a quote from a reputable company will be honoured for weeks or months. Don’t get pressured into a fast agreement with the false promise of the deal ending.
A reputable paving company like Pavage Massie will guarantee fresh asphalt backed by a contract and with strong testimonials from past clients, and will honor their quote. Don’t fall for the pick-up lines from fraudulent, roaming pavers.
If you can’t see a prominent logo and local contact information on the vehicles, paperwork, or on the uniforms of the paving crew, chances are you’re not working at a legitimate or reputable company that will stand by its work.
Even more importantly, look for the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) number on their website to make sure that the paving company is registered with the Province of Quebec. Do your due diligence; contact the company, visit their website, browse their social media feeds and judge for yourself whether or not the company is a real paving company or simply an asphalt jobber trying to scam you.
No logo? No go.
Find out what others are saying about the business you are considering. Check out the testimonials, reviews, and recommendations for the company on their website, social media feeds, and Google Business.
And pass it on! When you’ve found a reputable, local paving company, refer them to help protect your neighbourhood from asphalt scammers. By coordinating with your neighbours, you can rest assured that the collective curb appeal of your street will be stunning and backed by a professional guarantee.
Know and Trust who you are Dealing With
Pavage Massie has deep roots in the Gatineau region and we stand behind our work. You can trust that your asphalt paving job will be so well designed and constructed by our professional crews, that it will last for many years. And while you’ll likely never need to visit our office to follow up on paving problems, we love connecting with the community and invite you to visit us anytime at 48 Rue de Granby, Gatineau, QC, join the conversation on Facebook or reach out to speak with us at (819) 663-8767. You’ll know us by our logo!
