AsphaltU

1. The "Leftover Asphalt" Scam

The Pitch: A contractor knocks on your door, usually in a high-visibility vest, and says something like, "Hey, we were doing a big job up the street for the city/neighbor. We have some extra asphalt in the truck. I can put it on your driveway for a huge discount because I don't want to throw it away."

The Reality: This is the oldest trick in the paving book. Professional paving companies calculate their material needs precisely. They do not accidentally order tons of extra material. If they do have "leftover" material, it has likely been sitting in the truck for hours.

Why It Fails: Asphalt is a thermal product. To achieve proper compaction density, it must be laid hot—typically between 275°F and 300°F. If the asphalt has cooled down below 220°F (which happens quickly if a truck is driving around neighborhoods looking for buyers), it becomes stiff. When they try to roll it, it won't bond together. It might look black and smooth for a week, but after the first freeze-thaw cycle of winter, it will crumble into gravel. Furthermore, these "leftover" deals never come with a written contract or warranty.

The Expert Tip: Never hire a contractor who knocks on your door. Legitimate pavers are busy; they don't need to beg for work.

2. The "Loose vs. Compacted" Thickness Trick

The Scam: You get a quote that says "Install 3 inches of asphalt." It sounds great. You hire them. They pave the driveway. It looks good. Two years later, it cracks. Why? Because you didn't get 3 inches of driveway—you got 3 inches of fluff.

The Science: Asphalt is a mixture of stone, sand, and liquid oil. When it comes out of the paver, it is "loose" and full of air gaps. The steamroller's job is to compress it, removing the air to make it watertight and strong. This process reduces the thickness by about 20% to 25%.

The Math: If a contractor lays 3 inches of loose asphalt, the roller will compact it down to about 2.25 inches. If they lay 2 inches loose, you are left with barely 1.5 inches of pavement. That is not enough to support a heavy SUV or truck without cracking.

The Fix: Look closely at your quote or contract. It must explicitly state "Compacted Thickness" or "Finished Thickness." If the contract is vague, a dishonest contractor will lay it loose to save money on materials.

3. The Cash-Only "No Tax" Trap

The Warning: The contractor gives you a price of $5,000, but then leans in and says, "If you pay cash today, I can do it for $4,000. We'll save the tax and the paperwork."

The Reality: In the construction world, "Cash" is code for "No Warranty" and "No Liability." When you pay cash with no paper trail, you cease to exist as a customer.

The Risks:

• No Warranty: If grass grows through the asphalt in a month, you have no invoice to prove they did the work.
• Liability Issues: Legitimate companies carry Workers' Compensation and Liability Insurance. If a "cash crew" worker gets injured on your property, you could be liable.
• The "Cut and Run": Often, cash-only crews are "travellers"—groups that move from city to city scamming homeowners.

The Fix: Always demand a formal quote with a company letterhead, a physical address, and a GST/Tax number.