Sealcoating- Germantown, MD Can you really negotiate with a paving company. Yes. You can. Knowing more about industry standards could save you time and money.
Another Sunday morning with my coffee, my dogs and some music.
Today, as a rock musician and lover of groovy tunes, I decided to tune in to an iHeartRadio station playing Lite 70’s rock. It’s refreshing to hear songs from my childhood that my mom used to play in our house during the day. I always confess that thanks to my mom and dad’s love of music and their great taste, my passion for music was born. I remember the first time I heard Abbey Road by the Beatles. I was 3 years old, in 1969. My dad had just brought it home, dropped the needle on the first song – Come Together, and I still remember the first few seconds of the bass and drums. I lost my little 3-year-old mind! LOL. Something clicked. I knew I wanted to grow up and be a Beatle. There was no doubt about what I wanted to do with my life. I look back on it and simply can’t understand what those first few seconds did to me. I’ll admit, I wanted to be Ringo at first. Later, I wanted to be a bassist like Paul.
So here I am, on another Sunday morning, doing my usual routine. Grabbing a coffee, petting the dogs, and sitting down to listen to music while I do bills, review my week, and learn a few things online from the classes I’m enrolled in. Today, I thought I’d listen to Lite Rock from the 70s. It takes me back to a much more innocent part of my life – elementary school. Not caring about politics or having to pay any bills. Wow. I think we all understand now when our parents told us not to grow up too fast. Even though Lite Rock isn’t what I would play in a band or write, it does have some neat qualities. Great hooks, great production, and incredible lyrics. Most of these songs actually tell stories. Some of the songs are from that “singer-songwriter” period of the early 70s. I’ll say that this period in music, and most of the country before the past 10 years, had great storytelling. I’ve actually gone onto Google and searched for some of the lyrics, not just to see the words but to read the story. A nice spring morning.
How does this tie into sealcoating? Earlier this week, my mom told me that she hired a guy to sealcoat both of my mom’s driveways. RED LIGHTS and SIRENS went off. WHAT? My mom never told me that she was thinking about this. When she told me, I couldn’t wait to find out how this happened. As my mom was telling me, I thought, oh gosh, she was scammed. Our neighbor just sold their house, and the new neighbor decided to have their long driveway sealcoated. As we all know, most scams of this sort involve a gentleman knocking on my mom’s door and proceeding to tell her that he just finished the neighbor’s driveway and had material left over, and since he was there… it’s always the same script. I work with a few paving companies in the job I do now, and they tell me tales all the time of the “low-end” paving companies. There are a lot of ‘scam’ artists in all businesses, but was my mom equipped to catch this and NOT let someone bully her, take her money, and do a half-assed job? Not only was she equipped, but she talked the guy down in price like a pro. As I mentioned, we have 2 driveways, probably about 1,600 square feet in total. She told me what he originally wanted and told me what she eventually agreed to. I was very pleased with my mom.
Later that evening, she had some rain. My mom called me during the day, and she only does this if there is something emergent, and told me the paving/sealcoating guy came back to check on her driveways. What? He looked over the larger one and made a few touch-ups, but practically resealed about 1/3 of the smaller one. He said due to the rain, a few places and a large part needed to be redone. I was waiting for my mom to say… it only cost me $’s. Then she told me something that I did not expect. He told her no charge! What? I was waiting for the typical scam, but he told my mom when he was applying the sealcoat, he knew we were going to get a little rain, but he wanted to check the following day because where he lived, they received more than a little. He also told my mom that he would come back in 2 weeks to look over it again. I stood corrected and pleasantly surprised at how this man treated my mom. He told my mom that his name and his reputation were everything to him. After he left my mom’s, he went over to our new neighbors and touched up some areas in his driveway. That’s one of the reasons for this blog. Shining a little light on businesses that do a great job, go the extra mile for their customers, provide some education for the public, talk a little about music, and mention my dogs. Below is a little info that I have included for you.
Sealcoating: DIY vs. Hiring Professionals
When it comes to maintaining your driveway, sealcoating is a crucial task that can significantly impact its longevity and appearance. But deciding whether to take on the job yourself or hire professionals can be a tough call. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed decision.
DIY Sealcoating:
- Cost Savings: Opting for the do-it-yourself route can save you money, especially when buying materials from stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot.
- Personal Satisfaction: Completing the project yourself can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride in maintaining your property.
- Flexibility: You have the freedom to schedule the project at your convenience and tailor it to your preferences.
However, DIY sealcoating also has its drawbacks:
- Time-Consuming: The process of cleaning, prepping, and applying sealant can be time-intensive, particularly for larger driveways.
- Physical Labor: Sealcoating requires manual labor and attention to detail, which may not be suitable for everyone.
- Skill Requirement: While DIY sealcoating is feasible for many homeowners, it does require a certain level of skill and knowledge to ensure effective application and lasting results.
Hiring Professionals:
- Quality Assurance: Professional paving companies offer expertise and experience, ensuring a high-quality job with professional-grade materials.
- Time Efficiency: Hiring professionals saves you time and hassle, as they can complete the project efficiently.
- Expert Advice: Professionals can assess your driveway’s condition and provide recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
However, there are cost considerations:
- Higher Initial Investment: Hiring professionals typically comes with a higher upfront cost compared to DIY.
- Less Hands-On Involvement: While professionals handle the project, some homeowners may prefer to be more involved in the maintenance process.
Whether you choose to tackle sealcoating yourself or hire professionals, the goal is to preserve your driveway’s health and appearance for the long term. Consider factors such as budget, time constraints, and personal preferences to determine the best approach for you. Ultimately, the choice that ensures a quality job and peace of mind is the right one.
I hope this helps and may you get a true professional like my mom got. Good luck.
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