How to Choose an Experienced Asphalt Contractor in Utah for 2026

Choosing an asphalt contractor based on price alone is no longer a reliable way to protect your investment. In today’s Utah asphalt market, low pricing often signals shortcuts, reduced material quality, or rushed workmanship. While a low bid may seem appealing upfront, it frequently leads to premature failures, costly repairs, and disappointment.

Over the past several years, we have seen a sharp increase in under-experienced and non-licensed asphalt contractors entering the market, many competing almost entirely on price. In an industry where quality is not immediately visible, experience, licensing, and qualifications matter far more than the number at the bottom of a proposal.

Price Alone Is No Longer a Reliable Way to Choose a Contractor

The long-standing advice of collecting multiple bids and deciding primarily on price no longer serves property owners well. Price tells you very little about how the work will actually be performed.

Low pricing is often achieved by:

Watering down sealcoat materials
Reducing asphalt thickness
Cutting corners in base preparation
Rushing installation

These shortcuts are rarely obvious at first, but they almost always shorten pavement life. In our industry, a saying exists for good reason: if you buy cheap, you often buy twice.

**Why Experience and Licensing Matter in Asphalt Paving**

Asphalt installation and maintenance are highly technical trades. Proper material selection, correct thickness, base preparation, drainage considerations, and installation techniques all directly affect the lifespan of your pavement. Contractors with decades of experience have encountered—and solved—every type of pavement challenge.

T&N Asphalt Services has been in continuous operation for over 29 years under the same founding owner. That level of longevity is rare in this industry and reflects consistent quality, ethical business practices, and long-term customer satisfaction.

Just as important, T&N Asphalt Services is fully licensed not only as an asphalt and concrete contractor, but also as a General Contractor and a General Engineering Contractor. This is a significant distinction. These licenses require higher standards, broader technical knowledge, and greater accountability. They allow us to properly evaluate site conditions, base construction, drainage, structural requirements, and long-term performance—not just place asphalt on top of what is already there.

This level of licensing ensures your project is approached correctly from the ground up, reduces risk, and protects your investment. Very few asphalt contractors carry this combination of licenses.

What to Look for Instead of the Lowest Price

Rather than focusing on price alone, look for:

Proven experience and long-term operation
Proper state licensing and qualifications
Clear specifications and material standards
Transparent thickness and base requirements
A history of standing behind completed work

Sealcoating Standards You Should Expect

Quality sealcoating should include:

A one-year warranty covering material failure (not wear)
Manufacturer-approved materials
Realistic reapplication timelines

In Utah, most professional sealcoats should be reapplied every 3–5 years. Be cautious of contractors offering multi-year or prorated warranties, as these are often misleading and rarely consumer-friendly.

Proper Asphalt Thickness Is Non-Negotiable

For paving projects:

Minimum asphalt thickness: 2 inches compacted (often 3 inches)
Base preparation: 6–8 inches of properly compacted aggregate

For overlays:

Average thickness should be 2 inches, with minimal feathering at edges

Anything significantly thinner—especially in the center of the pavement—is unacceptable. Unfortunately, we routinely see low-bid contractors feather overlays to as little as ½ inch, leading to early failure.

Industry Involvement Reflects Professionalism

A reputable asphalt contractor stays engaged in the industry. T&N Asphalt Services is:

A long-standing Better Business Bureau member with an A+ rating
Actively involved at the national level through Pavement Maintenance Magazine
A regular presenter at national pavement conferences

This involvement ensures we stay aligned with current best practices and evolving industry standards.

Good, Fast, Cheap — Choose Two

There is a reason this saying endures in construction:

Good and Fast — not Cheap
Fast and Cheap — not Good
Good and Cheap — not Fast

Quality contractors book early. We recommend having your asphalt evaluated in May or June and scheduling work well in advance. Rushed, low-bid projects are often rushed in execution—and the results reflect it.

Our Commitment to Quality Over Price

At T&N Asphalt Services, we do not compete to be the lowest bid. We compete to deliver lasting results, professional workmanship, and honest value. Our reputation has been built over nearly three decades by doing the job right the first time—and by taking excellent care of our clients.

Beware of Driveway Paving & Sealcoating Scams

Unfortunately, driveway paving and sealcoating scams are still common throughout Utah—especially in residential neighborhoods. These scams rely on urgency, confusion, and high-pressure sales tactics to push homeowners into fast decisions.

If you hear any of the following sales pitches, consider them serious red flags:

“We were already working in the neighborhood and have material left over.”
“If we don’t use this material today, it will go bad.”
“This is a TODAY ONLY special.”
“We just paved a driveway up the street and have extra asphalt left.”

Reputable asphalt contractors carefully plan materials and schedules. They do not rely on leftover materials or door-to-door sales.

🚨 Driveway Scam Warning Checklist

If ANY of the following apply, stop the conversation immediately:

✅ The contractor knocked on your door uninvited
✅ They claim to have “leftover” sealcoat or asphalt
✅ They use high-pressure or same-day-only pricing
✅ They ask for cash payment
✅ They want the check written to “cash” or an individual name
✅ They cannot immediately provide verifiable licensing and insurance
✅ Their equipment looks improvised or non-professional

If something feels off — trust that instinct.

Door-to-Door Paving Contractors: A Major Red Flag

Most legitimate paving and sealcoating companies do not solicit door-to-door. Many municipalities require permits for this activity, and contractors operating without them can often be removed from the area by local authorities.

If you see contractors soliciting neighbors—especially elderly residents—contacting your local police department is appropriate. These situations are exactly why solicitation regulations exist.

What NOT to Do When Hiring a Paving or Sealcoating Contractor

DO NOT hire contractors who claim to have leftover material.
DO NOT pay cash. Cash offers you no protection if the work fails.
DO NOT accept vague insurance claims. Call the insurance agent directly.
DO NOT write checks to “cash” or a personal name if the contract is with a company.
DO NOT feel pressured. Reputable contractors allow time for review.

Professional Sealcoating Requires Professional Equipment

A long-lasting sealcoating job depends on both material quality and proper application equipment. Professional sealcoating uses a water-based asphalt emulsion blended with sand and latex, which requires continuous mechanical agitation to remain properly mixed.

Professional Equipment Includes:

✔ Cylindrical tanks
✔ Mechanical agitation systems
✔ Uniform spray or squeegee application

🚫 Non-Professional Methods (Avoid These):

55-gallon drums
5-gallon buckets
Square or oddly shaped tanks
Hand-mixing with boards or pipes

These methods do not allow proper mixing, resulting in uneven coverage, poor adhesion, and premature failure.

Protect Your Pavement Investment

Scam operations depend on speed and pressure. Professional asphalt contractors depend on experience, licensing, proper equipment, and accountability.

If a contractor rushes you, avoids documentation, or pressures you into immediate decisions—walk away.