7 Smart Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Driveway Contractor

Hiring a driveway contractor isn’t something most homeowners do often, which can make it tough to know where to start. Asking the right questions early on helps you avoid delays, extra costs, and long-term damage to your driveway.

Contractors vary in their experience, communication style, and attention to detail. When expectations aren’t clear, you may end up dealing with drainage problems, surface cracks, or added charges that weren’t explained upfront. 

This blog walks through seven questions that give you real insight into how a contractor works, how much they know, and how they’ll handle your project. At JK Meurer Paving, we welcome these conversations. We’re always ready to give honest, detailed answers that help you move forward with confidence. 

#1: Are You Properly Licensed and Insured? 

Any contractor working on your home should be able to show proof of current licensing and insurance. This includes general liability coverage and workers’ compensation. If an accident happens or property is damaged, these policies protect both you and the crew.

Ask to see documentation. Make sure the name on the policy matches the name of the company you’re hiring. It’s a good way to spot contractors operating under different names, or those without proper coverage. JK Meurer Paving holds all necessary licenses and maintains full insurance, and we’re always ready to provide that information when asked.  

#2: Do You Offer a Written Contract Detailing All Work? 

A thorough contract protects everyone involved. It should outline the full scope of work, including materials, timelines, prep work, and payment terms. Without a clear agreement, you may find yourself guessing about what’s included or what happens if plans need to shift. 

Some contractors work from handshake agreements or provide one-page documents with very little detail. That makes it hard to hold anyone accountable. Our contracts at JK Meurer Paving are built to give homeowners a clear picture of the work ahead. If something doesn’t make sense, we take time to explain it, because everyone benefits from shared expectations. 

#3: What’s Included in the Estimate? 

A proper estimate should give you a clear sense of cost and scope. It needs to include labor, materials, equipment, site preparation, cleanup, and any extras that may be required. Estimates that seem too low, or that leave out details, often lead to extra charges later. 

Ask how the contractor handles unknowns. What happens if additional work is required once the job starts? How are price changes communicated? At JK Meurer Paving, our estimates are detailed and transparent. We give you a complete view of the project up front, so you can budget confidently and avoid surprises. 

#4: How Do You Prepare the Base? 

Base preparation plays a major role in how long a driveway lasts. Without a well-prepared base, even high-quality materials can shift, crack, or sink over time. That’s why this question is so important. 

A good base typically includes multiple inches of compacted gravel or crushed stone. This layer must be strong, stable, and properly graded to allow for drainage. In flatter areas, the slope should be at least two percent or include a center crown of one-quarter inch per foot. These grading techniques help water run off the surface instead of pooling and causing erosion. 

You should also ask how deep the base will be, how the contractor compacts it, and what kind of material they use. If a contractor skips this step or uses low-quality fill, the surface above it won’t hold up. 

At JK Meurer Paving, we never cut corners on base work. Our crews build each base with durability in mind, using consistent materials and proven methods that support both structure and drainage. 

#5: What Kind of Warranty Do You Offer? 

A warranty is a sign that the contractor stands behind the work. Some warranties cover materials, while others cover the workmanship. Both matter, and both should be clearly explained in writing. 

Ask what’s included in the warranty and how long it lasts. Ask what types of repairs are covered and what would void the coverage. If a contractor avoids this conversation or promises something vague, that’s a concern. 

We offer a clear, written warranty on all residential paving projects. If anything doesn’t hold up the way it should due to installation issues, we’ll address it. 

#6: Can I See Recent Work or References? 

It’s one thing to hear what a contractor says. They should also be able to show it. Ask for photos of recent driveways they’ve completed, and request references from homeowners who hired them in the past year or two. 

It helps to see examples that reflect your own project in size and complexity. It also gives you a chance to ask how the team communicated, how the job site was treated, and how satisfied past clients were with the final result.

At JK Meurer Paving, we’re proud of our work. We’re always glad to provide references and examples of past paving and driveway projects, because we believe the results speak for themselves. 

#7: What Sets Your Company Apart from Others? 

This question gives the contractor room to explain their values and approach. A strong answer often includes details about team training, communication, scheduling, or process. A weak one usually focuses only on price or makes vague promises. 

At JK Meurer Paving, we’ve spent over 40 years delivering professional paving services to homeowners across the region. What sets us apart is consistency and quality. We respond quickly, explain every step, and treat every project like it matters, because it does. 

Get the Answers You Want and the Work You Deserve with JK Meurer Paving 

When you ask smart questions, you protect your time, your money, and your home. You also set the stage for a better experience from start to finish. 

At JK Meurer Paving, we welcome those questions. We believe homeowners should feel confident asking about licensing, estimates, warranties, and everything in between. It’s your driveway, and you should feel good about the team putting it in. 

Ready to work with a contractor who checks all the boxes? Request a quote today. We look forward to bringing your driveway project to life, on time and built to last.