How to Choose an Asphalt Contractor in Virginia: A Homeowner's Guide

The Stakes Are High

A paving job done wrong does not become obvious immediately. A contractor can do deficient base work, use the wrong asphalt mix, or skimp on compaction and the driveway looks fine for 12 to 18 months before the failures become visible. By then, the contractor may be unreachable and you are left paying twice.

The good news: identifying quality contractors is straightforward if you know what to check.

Step 1: Verify the Virginia Contractor License

Virginia requires a Class A Contractor License for commercial paving work and strongly recommends it for residential projects over $10,000. The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) maintains a public lookup at dpor.virginia.gov.

Ask for the contractor's license number and verify it before signing. An unlicensed contractor has no accountability pathway if work is deficient.

Step 2: Verify Insurance

Request a Certificate of Insurance showing:

• General liability: at least $1 million per occurrence
• Workers' compensation: covering all employees on your job

If a crew member is injured on your property and the contractor does not carry workers' comp, you may be liable. This is not a negotiable line item.

Step 3: Get a Written Scope of Work

Any legitimate paving contractor will provide a written proposal that specifies:

• Depth of aggregate base
• Asphalt surface course thickness
• Asphalt mix type (e.g., SM-9.5A for residential, IM-19.0A for commercial)
• What is included (grading, edging, cleanup)
• What is not included (disposal fees, permit costs, adjacent landscaping)

Verbal quotes with no written specification are a red flag.

Step 4: Check Local References

Ask specifically for references from similar projects completed in the past 12 to 24 months within 20 miles of your property. A contractor who has worked in your county knows the soil conditions, permit requirements, and local material suppliers.

Step 5: Evaluate the Bid — Not Just the Price

Get at least three written quotes. Do not automatically choose the lowest. Compare:

• Base depth specified (lower bids often cut base)
• Asphalt thickness specified
• Whether the price includes removal of old pavement (if needed)
• Whether the price includes drainage work or just paving

A bid that is 30% below the others is usually missing something.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No written contract or proposal
• Requires a large cash deposit upfront (50% or more)
• Cannot provide license or insurance documentation
• Cannot name a local asphalt plant they work with
• Appears at your door unsolicited offering a "deal" on leftover material

J. Worden & Sons: What We Provide

Virginia Class A License, $5 million general liability, workers' compensation, written line-item proposals, named asphalt plant sourcing, and references from our 40+ year project history in the Richmond metro area. Call (804) 446-1296 for a free estimate.