Pave & Save

Asphalt was placed over an old existing driveway without removing the old driveway first. The walkway repair was sloppy with areas of loose slate left and the cement cracked in several places as it dried. The contractor overcharged the resident for the work because he knew he could take advantage of an elderly couple.

The contractor took advantage of an elderly couple by overcharging and pressuring them to do work that was not needed. The contractor charged $7400 for a job that should of cost less than an thousand dollars;  It is unfortunate that predators like this can take advantage of our senior citizens.

I paid him to repave my driveway. I then paid him an another $500.00 to seal it but he has never come back despite my constant attempts to contact him. I have done some more research on him and he has had problems with other clients, multiple court cases open for not completing work. This is a trend with him.

Original quote $6.5K, then dropped to $5.9K (to get me better interested -- some basic trade gamesmanship). Then later when I sought oil-based sealer, he backed quote up to $6.5K. (My fault I didn't ask enough questions re what changed with the bids...) However - I didn't feel cheated; the price shift seemed in-line  At end, he noted that I had under-estimated driveway width (I'd estimated 20' to 21'); he said at avg closer to 25'+ width (which I confirmed it was) it required a good bit more asphalt mat'l to properly cover at the 2.5" avg thickness I'd asked for (above his standard 2" avg.). He asked if I was OK at $7K given the honest discrepancy.  I agreed (it was still reasonable given earlier estimate's I'd received and given the factual discrepancy). 
Overall -- fair deal, for what appears to be good quality work. He also provided good advice on future maintenance. I got the sense that he was basically honest and stood by his work.  I preferred NOT to try to squeeze him since my preference was for good quality at what I felt to be a good price. He was honest in his trust of my estimates so I dealt fairly with him when we both agreed that the facts were different than I'd estimated. Several others have already commented that the quality looks superior for the price and asked for his contact info.
Time will tell (wear & tear) if I was right in my judgment (this is a tough, competitive industry with lots of vendors who will reputedly cheat & run). However -- at this point, the job looks good: solid bedding, thicker than  a typical job, well finished -- and I'm leaving it to set/cure a full week prior to use (his advice).  Will check in after a year or so to update based on what happens.