If your lot or driveway needs sealing or crack repair, the right asphalt maintenance contractor keeps costs down and keeps traffic moving. Use the questions below to sort the pros from the pretenders.
Reviews and Reputation
Check customer reviews and ratings online (via Pixabay)
Scan Google and Facebook for ratings and look for patterns. Ask locally. For climate context and why quality work matters, see The Impact of Weather on Asphalt.
Years in Business
Seasoned crews bring pattern recognition. Newer shops may adopt tools faster. Ask who’s leading your job, how they train, and what similar work they’ve finished lately.
Materials Used
Insist on commercial-grade products that fit your surface and traffic. Ask the asphalt maintenance contractor to specify brands, mix types, and coverage rates. Many owners now prefer asphalt emulsion over coal tar due to local restrictions and odor concerns. Learn more in Making the Switch from Coal Tar to Asphalt Emulsion Sealer.
Related: Making the Switch from Coal Tar to Asphalt Emulsion Sealer
References
Ask for three recent clients you can call. Verify the finish quality, communication, jobsite cleanup, and whether they stood behind their warranty and schedule.
Warranty
Ask for the warranty terms in writing, including duration and exclusions. If you push for a method they won’t recommend, expect no warranty.
Written Estimate
Request an estimate (Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay)
Request a line-item estimate that separates cleaning, crack sealing, pothole repair, sealcoating, striping, and traffic control. It makes apples-to-apples comparisons easy. Use it to compare across bids. If you are hiring professionals for asphalt resurfacing, make sure milling, tack, and lift thickness are spelled out.
Related: What Do I Need to Start a Sealcoating Business?
Project Timeline
Discuss staging, curing windows, and access. On commercial lots, ask about sectioning work or night shifts to keep tenants and customers moving. Confirm temperature and weather windows for the specific materials being used, and ask for a plan if rain enters the forecast.
Surface Prep Steps
Prep is everything. Ask about sweeping or power-brooming, oil-spot priming, routing and blowing cracks, and drying checks before application. For a quick process overview, visit the Asphalt Kingdom YouTube channel.
Sealcoating Surface Prep
Scheduling and Waitlist
Quality crews book up during peak season. If your maintenance window is tight, ask about overtime, phased work, or rain-day contingencies.
Insurance
Always verify general liability and workers’ comp. It protects you if there is an accident or property damage while the team is onsite. Ask for proof of insurance and, when appropriate, a certificate of insurance naming your organization.
Aftercare Tips
Ask for written care guidelines such as cure times, traffic reopening, and when to schedule follow-up crack sealing. For background on pavement distress, see 8 Things You Need to Know About Alligator Cracking.
Finding Contractors Near You
Prefer a vetted list? Start with the AK PRO Certified Contractors directory. If you manage property in Florida, explore Asphalt Kingdom Florida. If you are in Ontario, review Asphalt Kingdom Ontario’s services. You can also browse the Asphalt Kingdom Blog for DIY guidance or request referrals through the directory.
Bonus: Budgeting for the Future
A good asphalt maintenance contractor will help you plan multi-year budgets and act as a long-term partner that combines crack sealing, sealcoating, patching, and, when needed, hiring professionals for asphalt resurfacing. For owners evaluating a DIY path, see What Do I Need to Start a Sealcoating Business?.
Ready to choose with confidence? Shortlist two or three companies, ask these 12 questions, confirm references and insurance, and move forward with the partner who proves expertise, transparency, and reliability. When in doubt, call and speak with the crew lead, estimator, or owner; the best asphalt maintenance contractor answers clearly and commits details in writing.
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