You’ve probably been there.
Three bids on your desk — one high, one mid, and one that looks too good to be true.
Spoiler: it usually is.
In the paving world, the cheapest quote almost always ends up being the most expensive mistake. Especially here in Northern California, where soil conditions, regulations, and weather demand real expertise — not shortcuts.
💰 1. The “Low Bid Trap” — What They Don’t Tell You
When a contractor underbids by thousands, it’s not magic. It’s subtraction.
They’re cutting something: materials, prep, crew time, or warranty coverage.
Common tricks we see in the field:
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Thinner asphalt layers: 1” instead of 2” — looks good for six months, fails within two years.
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Skipping base repairs: They “overlay” instead of rebuilding the foundation.
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No crack sealing before sealcoat: Moisture stays trapped underneath.
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Zero liability insurance: You’re responsible if something goes wrong on-site.
On paper it’s “cheaper.” In reality, it’s a deferred expense bomb waiting to go off.
🧱 2. Real Materials, Real Numbers
Let’s be honest — asphalt work isn’t cheap because good materials aren’t cheap.
A quality hot-mix asphalt job in NorCal (proper base, compaction, sealcoat) runs between $2.50 – $5.00 per sq ft, depending on access and thickness.
When you see someone quoting you $1.25 per sq ft? That’s recycled grindings, watered-down sealer, and no prep.
You don’t need to be an engineer to spot red flags — you just need to ask:
“How thick is your lift?”
“Are you using Class 2 base?”
“Do you guarantee drainage slope and compaction?”
If they hesitate or dodge — walk away.
⚖️ 3. The True Cost of Doing It Twice
Let’s run quick math:
You hire a cheap crew, pay $12 k for an overlay on your retail center.
It fails in 18 months. Now you’re forced to remove and repave — $28 k minimum.
Total: $40 k.
If you’d gone with a professional contractor from the start, the same job — done right — might’ve been $20 k and lasted ten years.
That’s the real cost difference between “cheap” and “built to last.”
🦺 4. Compliance, Permits & ADA — Where Low Bids Get You Fined
Northern California has some of the strictest ADA and drainage codes in the country.
Contractors who skip slope correction or proper striping layouts can leave you liable for:
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Non-compliance fines
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Trip-and-fall lawsuits
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Costly re-inspections and restriping
We’ve seen HOAs and commercial owners fined $4 – 10 k just for non-compliant stalls painted by “budget” crews.
Saving $500 on striping isn’t a win if you lose $5 000 in penalties.
🕳️ 5. How to Vet a Contractor the Smart Way
Before signing any proposal, check these five things:
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License & Insurance: Verify on CSLB’s website.
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Scope Clarity: It should spell out base prep, compaction, thickness, and materials.
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Warranty: A good contractor stands behind their work — not just a handshake.
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References & Photos: Real projects in your area, not stock images.
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Payment Terms: Beware of anyone asking for full payment upfront.
Good contractors welcome questions — bad ones get defensive.
🧠 6. Quality Work = Long-Term Savings
Asphalt is an investment, not an expense.
When you build it right, maintain it right, and schedule inspections, your pavement can last decades.
That means lower lifetime cost, fewer emergency repairs, and better curb appeal — which directly translates to higher property value.
At We Love Paving, we’ve rebuilt enough failed “budget jobs” to know: doing it cheap is easy, doing it right is smarter.
🐼 Final Takeaway
The next time a contractor gives you a number that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Because the only thing more expensive than quality is fixing cheap work.
👉 Schedule your Free Property Assessment today — we’ll help you compare bids and show you exactly what each line item really means.