How to Compare Asphalt Paving Bids Without Choosing on Price Alone

Getting multiple estimates for a new asphalt driveway is smart. But once those estimates come in, comparing them isn’t always as simple as looking at the number at the bottom of the page.

One contractor might be thousands of dollars more or less than another. At first glance, the bids may appear to include essentially the same thing: remove the old driveway, prepare the base, and install new asphalt.

So why the difference?

The reality is that not all asphalt driveways are built the same, even when the proposals look similar on paper.

Before choosing a paving contractor based on price alone, here are some of the things we believe every homeowner should compare.

1. Start With the Base — Not the Asphalt

The asphalt is the part you see, but the base underneath it is arguably the most important part of your driveway.

A beautiful asphalt surface placed over a poorly prepared or unstable base can fail prematurely.

When comparing bids, ask:

• Will the contractor inspect the existing base after removing the old asphalt?
• How will soft or unstable areas be handled?
• Is additional aggregate included if needed?
• How will the base be graded and compacted?
• How will drainage be addressed?

This is also one reason we often recommend full replacement when the base condition or structural issues are a concern. An overlay can still be appropriate when the existing pavement and base are structurally sound.  Removing the old pavement gives us an opportunity to actually see what is underneath it and address problems before installing the new surface.

You can’t judge the quality of a driveway only by what you can see when the crew leaves. what you can see when the crew leaves.he project schedule align.

2. Compare the Finished Product, Not Just the Asphalt Thickness

Thickness matters, but it isn’t the only thing that matters.

Homeowners should also ask about the asphalt mixture being used, how it will be compacted, how transitions will be handled, and how the crew plans to deal with garages, sidewalks, aprons, curbs and drainage.

Even a good asphalt mix can perform poorly if it isn’t installed correctly.

Paving is a craft. The equipment matters, the material matters, and the specifications matter — but the experience of the people operating that equipment matters just as much.

3. Look Closely at Drainage

Water is one of the biggest enemies of pavement.

Your new driveway needs to move water somewhere. Depending on the property, that could mean toward the street, into the yard, or another appropriate drainage area.

A paving contractor shouldn’t simply make the driveway look smooth. They need to understand elevations, pitch and how water is going to move across the finished surface.

Ask the contractor:

“Where will the water go when you’re finished?”

A good estimator should be able to walk the property with you and explain the plan.

4. Ask Who Will Actually Be Building Your Driveway

This is something homeowners don’t always think about.

The salesperson who gives you the estimate isn’t necessarily the person who will be standing in your driveway when the work is being done.

Ask about the crew.

How experienced are they? How long have they worked together? Who is supervising the job? Does the company employ its own crews? Will an owner, manager or experienced foreman be involved?

At Blacktop Concepts, we’re incredibly proud of the people who build our driveways. Many of our employees have been with us for years and have grown into highly skilled operators, finishers and foremen.

Equipment doesn’t build a great driveway by itself.

People do.

5. Compare the Warranty — and the Company Behind It

A warranty is only valuable if the company issuing it will still be around to honor it.

Ask:

• How long is the warranty?
• What does it actually cover?
• How long has the contractor been in business?
• Do they have a permanent local presence?
• What happens if you have a concern after the job is complete?

Blacktop Concepts has been paving driveways since 1978, and each driveway we pave comes with a 5-year guarantee covering alligator cracking and breakup, subject to the published warranty terms and exclusions. 

For us, that guarantee isn’t just a line on a proposal. It’s our commitment that we’re going to stand behind the work our name is on.

6. Read Reviews for More Than Just the Star Rating

Google reviews can tell you a lot, but don’t stop at the average rating.

Read what customers actually say.

Look for comments about:

• Communication
• Professionalism
• Crew behavior
• Cleanliness
• Scheduling
• Problem solving
• Quality of the finished driveway
• How the company responded when something didn’t go perfectly

Almost every contractor can produce photos of beautiful finished driveways. The more revealing question is:

How does the company treat people throughout the entire process?

7. Pay Attention to the Estimate Experience

Your experience before signing the contract can tell you quite a bit about what might happen afterward.

Did someone answer the phone?

Did the estimator show up when promised?

Did they take time to understand your property?

Did they explain drainage and construction instead of simply measuring square footage?

Did you feel comfortable asking questions?

Were you given a clear written proposal?

A driveway is a significant investment. You should understand what you’re buying before you sign anything.

8. Make Sure You’re Actually Comparing Apples to Apples

If one estimate is significantly lower than another, don’t automatically assume the higher-priced contractor is overpriced — or that the lower-priced contractor is cutting corners.

Ask why.

There may be a perfectly legitimate explanation.

Compare the scope of work, base preparation, asphalt installation, drainage plan, warranty, crew experience and what is or isn’t included.

Sometimes two proposals that look nearly identical on the surface are actually offering very different products.

The Best Question Isn’t “Who’s Cheapest?”

We understand that price matters. It should.

But instead of asking only:

“Which contractor gave me the lowest price?”

Consider asking:

“Which contractor gives me the most confidence that my driveway will be built correctly and that they’ll stand behind it afterward?”

A driveway is something you will drive across, shovel, snowblow, park on and look at every day for years. Saving money upfront isn’t much of a savings if you’re unhappy with the finished product or replacing it sooner than expected.

Our Philosophy at Blacktop Concepts

Our dad started Blacktop Concepts in 1978 with a pretty simple philosophy: work hard, treat people honestly, pay attention to the details and do the job the right way.

Nearly five decades later, that’s still how we believe a paving company should operate.

We’re a family-owned company, but our family extends far beyond the owners. It includes the men and women who have spent years learning this craft with us and who take pride in putting their names behind the work they do.

We don’t expect every homeowner to choose Blacktop Concepts.

What we do hope is that you ask good questions, understand what you’re purchasing and choose a contractor you trust.

Because when you’re investing in something that’s supposed to last for years, the best bid isn’t necessarily the lowest bid. It’s the one that gives you the most confidence in what you’ll receive after the check is written.

Paving the Way Since 1978.

Blacktop Concepts serves homeowners throughout the St. Paul, MN, and Hudson, WI areas. Learn more about our asphalt paving services from our St. Paul location or our Hudson location.