Saturday, August 26, 2017

Buyer Beware When Choosing Georgia Asphalt Companies

By Barbara Howard


When having a new driveway or patio installed, finding the right company to deliver the concrete on time, and for a reasonable charge, is not always easy. There are many fly-by-night companies in existence in the Atlanta area. It is vital that a homeowner knows who they are hiring when choosing a Georgia asphalt company.

Utilizing an online reference listing is a good place to start, as they can confirm whether or not the license and insurance is up-to-date. Additionally, they can provide references by people who claim to have used their service. These references are difficult to confirm, so asking an agent for the company you are considering for their best references, along with phone numbers and a photo of the work done, might not be a bad idea.

These organizations often hire subcontractors to drive their trucks, so knowing who the driver is going to be is also an important aspect of making a choice. It should be easy enough to do a background check on the driver, if the company is willing to give out that information. If they cannot give a name and number, then one might wish to reconsider that company as a first choice.

There are companies still in operation north of Atlanta who run a legitimate operation, but they often hire drivers who are questionable. It is important to verify that the driver has the proper licensing, and that this license is in good standing at the time the work is to be done. In addition, pay attention to whether or not the driver is a subcontractor, company employee, or a relative as nepotism is an established practice in this field.

If you establish that there is a family connection that runs deep, then it is buyer beware. While they might do perfectly acceptable work, they short-change the subcontractors working for them as an established method of doing business. They make outrageous profits every day, but try to pay their drivers less than $100.00 for what winds up being a 10 to 16 hour day.

This type of profit might not seem like a problem to many people unless they know how such a company operates within their community. This family-based operation has an extensive base within the state, and have been known to travel as far as Michigan to deliver materials. They recruit drivers they know in their town by promising them a summer of excellent money and travel, but they never live up to the promises.

It appears that they know exactly what drivers in the area are going through a tough patch, and they take advantage of that fact. They will attempt to short-change their driver each and every time he drives for them, making up a million excuses about why they will not be paying what they promised. Ultimately they take an individual who is going through a tough period, promise him enough money to solve the problem, then leave him even worse off than he was before.

As prudent individuals, we must be wary of who we pay to perform any construction or improvement upon our properties. There are still people out there who are able to slip through the cracks and operate under the radar in such a way that allows them to make more money by harming others. It is time that such operators get flushed out into the open and their economic strangle-hold be loosened from the towns in which they live.




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