How to Choose an Asphalt Contractor in Virginia (Red Flags and Questions to Ask)

The Virginia Paving Contractor Landscape

Paving is one of the most common home improvement scams in Virginia. The pattern is consistent: an unmarked truck shows up, offers a "great deal" on leftover asphalt, takes a large deposit, does poor work or disappears entirely.

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) handles contractor licensing complaints, and paving fraud is a recurring category.

This guide gives you the framework to evaluate any contractor before you commit.

Step 1: Verify Licensing

Virginia requires contractors to hold a valid contractor's license issued by DPOR. For paving work:

• Class C license: Projects up to $10,000
• Class B license: Projects up to $120,000
• Class A license: Projects over $120,000

You can verify any Virginia contractor's license at dpor.virginia.gov. Search by company name or license number. Check that:

• The license is active (not expired or suspended)
• The license class matches the scope of your project
• The name on the license matches the company you are dealing with

Red flag: Any contractor who cannot provide a license number or whose license does not appear in the DPOR database.

Step 2: Verify Insurance

A legitimate paving contractor carries two types of insurance:

General Liability Insurance

Covers property damage and bodily injury caused by the contractor's work. Minimum acceptable coverage for residential work: $1 million per occurrence. For commercial projects: $2 million per occurrence.

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance naming you as the certificate holder. This is a standard document — any insured contractor can produce it within 24 hours.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Covers the contractor's employees if they are injured on your property. Without it, you could be liable for medical costs if a worker is hurt on your job.

Virginia requires workers' compensation for any employer with 3 or more employees. Ask for proof.

Red flag: A contractor who says they are "self-insured" or cannot produce a certificate of insurance.

Step 3: Get Multiple Written Quotes

Get at least three written quotes for any project over $2,000. A legitimate quote should include:

• Company name, address, phone, and license number
• Scope of work in detail (square footage, depth of asphalt, base prep scope)
• Materials specification (HMA mix type, aggregate base depth)
• Timeline (start date, estimated completion)
• Payment schedule
• Warranty terms
• Total price

Red flag: A verbal quote only, or a written quote with a single line item and no breakdown.

Step 4: Ask These Questions Before Hiring

About the Company

• How long have you been operating in Virginia?
• Are you licensed with DPOR? What is your license number?
• Can you provide a certificate of insurance today?
• Do you have a physical business address (not just a P.O. box)?

About the Project

• What base preparation will you do, and why?
• What thickness of asphalt will you install (compacted)?
• What HMA mix specification will you use?
• Will you use a paving machine or hand-lay the asphalt?
• How will you compact the surface (what equipment)?
• What is your process if we find base problems during excavation?

About References

• Can you provide 3 references from similar projects in the last 12 months?
• Do you have any projects I can drive by to see your work?
• Have you done work in my neighborhood or municipality before?

Step 5: Check References and Portfolio

Call the references. Ask:

• Was the work completed on time?
• Was the final price close to the quote?
• Did the crew clean up after themselves?
• Have you had any issues with the work since completion?
• Would you hire them again?

Drive by completed projects if possible. Look for:

• Smooth, uniform surface without roller marks or waves
• Clean edges without crumbling
• Proper drainage slope (water should not pool)
• Neat transitions to existing surfaces

Red Flags Summary

What a Fair Payment Schedule Looks Like

For residential projects:

• 0 to 10% deposit at contract signing (some reputable contractors require no deposit)
• 50% at project start (when crew and materials arrive)
• Balance due upon completion and your satisfaction

For commercial projects over $50,000, a draw schedule tied to project milestones is standard.

Never pay more than 30% upfront for any paving project. If a contractor demands 50% or more before starting, walk away.

The Bottom Line

The cheapest quote is rarely the best value in paving. A $500 savings on a $4,000 driveway is not worth it if the base prep is skipped and you are repaving in 5 years instead of 20.

Hire on credentials, references, and the quality of the written proposal — not price alone.

Request a quote from our licensed, insured Virginia team