Driveway Contractor Red Flags to Avoid

Why Spotting Driveway Contractor Red Flags to Avoid Matters

A new driveway is one of the largest hardscape investments you’ll make. Choose the right installer and you gain years of curb appeal, higher resale value, and zero headaches. Hire the wrong one and you’ll battle cracks, pooling water, and surprise bills long before the asphalt or concrete ever reaches its expected life.

Below you’ll find the most common driveway contractor red flags to avoid, plus simple checks you can perform before you sign anything. Keep this list handy when you request bids, and you’ll steer clear of 90 % of the headaches our Drivewayz USA crews are asked to fix every spring.

15 Driveway Contractor Red Flags to Avoid

1. No License, Bond, or Insurance—Or They Won’t Show It

Every legitimate paving or concrete contractor carries:

• A state-issued contractor’s license (often a separate classification for asphalt/paving)
• General liability insurance ($1 million per occurrence is typical)
• Workers’ comp coverage if they have employees

Quick test: Ask for the license number and certificate of insurance while the estimator is still on site. Reputable companies email these documents within hours.

2. Cash-Only or “Today-Only” Discounts

Demanding cash, a large upfront deposit, or a same-day signature screams fly-by-night operation. You lose paper-trail protection and any chance of recourse if the job fails.

Safe practice: Put down no more than 30 % of the total cost at contract signing, pay the balance only after final walk-through, and always use a check or credit card.

3. Door-to-Door “We Have Left-Over Asphalt” Pitches

This classic scam resurfaces every summer. A crew claims they finished a highway job and have hot asphalt they need to “get rid of today.” The material is often cold, poorly graded, and laid too thin. By the time you notice raveling, they’re two counties away.

4. Vague Verbal Estimates or One-Line Quotes

A professional bid lists square footage, material thickness, base preparation steps, edge restraints, drainage considerations, joint or seal-coat schedule, total price, and payment timeline. If you receive a sticky note that says “$4,500 for driveway,” keep shopping.

5. Zero Local References or Portfolio Photos

Ask for three recent driveways within a 10-mile radius you can drive past. Good contractors are proud of their work; scammers disappear when you request addresses.

6. Pattern of BBB Complaints or Negative Reviews

Search the company name plus “complaints” and “reviews.” Focus on patterns—multiple mentions of cracking, no-shows, or refusal to honor warranties. One outlier review can be ignored; ten similar stories cannot.

7. They Tell You Permits Aren’t Needed

Most municipalities require a right-of-way or drainage permit if your driveway connects to a public street. A contractor who brushes this off leaves you liable for fines and tear-out costs if the city inspector shows up.

8. High-Pressure Sales Tactics

“Sign tonight or the price goes up 20 %” is manipulation, not marketing. Ethical pros give you time to compare bids and check references.

9. Promises of Premium Results With Bargain Materials

If one bid is 40 % lower than the rest, ask to see the material spec sheet. Fly-by-nighters often shrink costs by:

• Using 2 in. of asphalt instead of 3 in.
• Skipping the 6-in. compacted gravel base
• Choosing recycled asphalt with high bitumen content (softens in summer)

10. No Written Contract or Warranty

A proper contract includes start/finish dates, detailed scope, material specs, and a warranty that lasts at least one freeze-thaw cycle (two years in most states). Verbal “lifetime” promises are meaningless.

11. Uses Unmarked Subcontractors You Never Met

Some companies sell jobs, then farm them out to the cheapest crew. You lose quality control and warranty coverage. Insist on knowing who will be on your property each day.

12. Constant Weather Excuses & Delays

Weather is real, but a pro watches the forecast and communicates. If your contractor starts Friday and disappears for two weeks, you’re low on their priority list.

13. Beat-Up Equipment and Unmarked Trucks

Broken-down machines lead to poor compaction and uneven joints. Vehicles with magnetic door signs that peel off in your hand scream temporary outfit.

14. Skips Soil & Drainage Assessment

Every driveway is only as good as what’s underneath. Contractors who walk the length with a shovel, check soil type, and discuss water flow are the ones who prevent future sinkholes and edge drop-offs.

15. Rushes Final Payment Without Walk-Through

Never pay the last 10 % until you and the foreman inspect edges, joints, color consistency, and drainage. Take photos and attach them to the paid invoice; they’re proof if warranty issues arise.

Quick Due-Diligence Checklist Before You Hire

1. Verify license online (state contractor board).
2. Call insurer to confirm policy is active.
3. Check Better Business Bureau rating.
4. Drive past two past jobs older than one year.
5. Read contract line-by-line; cancelation clause must be included.
6. Search county court records for liens or lawsuits.
7. Ask for a material delivery ticket on pour day to confirm ordered PSI or asphalt tonnage.

How to Choose the Right Driveway Contractor (Positive Green Flags)

Clear, Itemized Proposal

You see square footage, depth, base type, drainage plan, joint spacing, sealer schedule, and total price.

Professional Communication

Emails answered within 24 hours, appointment times kept, site supervisor’s cell provided.

Local Reputation

Supply house, ready-mix plant, or asphalt plant recognizes the company name and says “they pay on time.”

Warranty You Can Bank On

Written, transferable, and backed by a physical address you can visit if necessary.

What Fair Pricing Looks Like (So You Don’t Fall for “Too Good to Be True”)

National averages for a standard 600 sq ft two-car driveway:

• Plain concrete: $4,200–$6,000 ($7–$10/sq ft)
• Stained or stamped concrete: $6,600–$9,600 ($11–$16/sq ft)
• Hot-mix asphalt: $3,000–$4,800 ($5–$8/sq ft)
• Interlocking pavers: $7,200–$12,000 ($12–$20/sq ft)

Bids that undercut these ranges by 30 % or more usually cut critical steps—don’t let a “deal” become a driveway contractor red flag you’ll avoid next time.

Frequently Asked Questions