[carpdad]

My parents. Mom, arranged a new contractor and has signed a contract. I see it's an overlay, which to me, means old asphalt layer covered with new. Talked to the contractor by phone, he agreed to remove old asphalt.

I don't know much about this. I just researched a little. Nobody says, internet wise, overlay as I listed above is a proper way to lay a driveway. Am I missing an information?

 

[de-nagorg]

Normally overlay means just that.

Then you said that he agreed to remove the asphalt to the bed, and repave the bed.

If the bed is solid and in great shape, this will work, if the bed is potholed, they should rebuild the bed, with new gravel, sand, and use rollers.

Then pave it proper.

Get it in the contract, or you might get a big disappointment in a few years.


ED

 

[carpdad]

Appreciate the confirm. I didn't want to suspect the work without some base info.
My mom arranged the work, which was overlay (ticked on the contract) and she did not understand this. Although the contractor on phone with me explained, he finally agreed to remove the old asphalt. I plan to be there. I don't mind looking like a jerk.:smile: It's like this too often. I get called names but it works.


One of the "excuses" was he already ordered and paid for asphalt. I didn't argue that point, only that my mom didn't understand any of his explanation. She tends to do this: her preconception (full replacement, usually in public mind) and she doesn't really hear other things. This is fyi. Don't fall into someone else's logic.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... In a nutshell, an overlay is 'bout an inch of compacted blacktop, usually on top of old blacktop,.....

A new driveway is 'bout 2", 2+1/2" of asphalt over a stable stone base,......

One of the "excuses" was he already ordered and paid for asphalt.

Bullship, ^^^,..... Blacktop is billable when it's made, 'n dropped into the truck,......
Either paid for then, or run a tab for a bigger job,.....
Or course, monthly billin' for some contractors,....

 

[carpdad]

Thanks too for confirm. Can I use "bullship"?:smile::smile:

 

[stadry]

compacted inch for residential light duty pvmnt,,, horsepuckey on 'paid in adv' for top UNLESS he's way behind on his acct + the plant knows his arrears is good for the $$$ such as dot or municipals
not knowing the condition of the existing dway, maybe o'lay isn't the right method,,, may need a complete redo

 

[de-nagorg]

Thanks too for confirm. Can I use "bullship"?:smile::smile:

I use "FERTILIZER".

Same stuff, different world. :devil3:


ED

 

[huesmann]

Overlay on asphalt roads usually includes milling the surface course. Dunno how thick your driveway is, but if they just overlay without milling, aren't you gonna end up with a taller pavement section?

 

[carpdad]

There are still some questions. The company owner asks me questions then won't let me talk.:smile: I got him to say he will remove old layer of asphalt but still am not sure what will happen. It's alright. I can handle the conflict which can only end in one way, if the parts of the work don't make sense. I mean to review all of the work when I finally meet them face to face.



Old asphalt is only about 1.5, maybe 2" thick. Yes, my parents were swindled many years ago. I did some patch repairs about 10 yrs ago? and I saw big gravels under the chunks of asphalt that came off. That is one reason why I think this guy needs to remove some gravel if he's going to give me 3". He said 3" and he said he won't change the grade. Many promises.:smile: Will come back to report. Supposed to be thurs or friday and 2 day job. Old driveway, at least, seems to have a good base. Crazed asphalt but nothing to suggest the base moved.

 

[de-nagorg]

Sounding more and more like a high pressure salesman delivering

" FERTILIZER".


Good luck to ya.


ED

 

[carpdad]

So it's not good. The company came today early morning, by the time my parents woke up and saw the happening outside, asphalt was laid and being rolled. It was 9am when I got a call.
So I went and argument starts and I asked for a thickness verification. The foreman digs out a hole and the new asphalt looks like about 1.5". I told him he will be paid when promised 3" is laid.
The company decision maker calls me and asks what's fair? Please keep in mind that I'm thinking pay the people and get them out of my parents' life. So, contract was for $4200 (it felt too low - too good to be true but my mom was happy about the cheap). Contract was for overlay (which my mom didn't know about and pros and cons obviously would not be explained by a seller). For 1.5" asphalt, how much would you give them to get them to go away? I said $1000 which the foreman did not accept.:smile: I am ready to argue this in court, if must, and I am not trying to convince myself. As the saying goes, life sucks so what would you pay to leave it in past?:smile:

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

Not a penny. They did not live up to the specifics of the contract. If the contract states one thing, and they did not fulfill that part, they get paid nothing. I am not paying anyone to do half the work and leave.

 

[de-nagorg]

Unfortunately, I think that you are stuck with what you got.

You got what the contract calls for. OVERLAY, 1.5" of stuff with no structural repair.

All the verbal promises are worth what the paper they are written on are worth.

You should have cancelled the contract Yesterday, and anything done afterward would have been free.

Depending on the size of their driveway, that sounds about right for todays market.


ED

 

[carpdad]

Sorry about the last question, kind of feels silly after a good sleep.:smile: I'm to call the decision maker today, and plan to close the story with $2000, if accepted. I would have had nothing to say if 1.5 overlay was said from the beginning. It is a check off contract that can mean anything.



Thank god it doesn't happen often. I don't like it when I have to teach my parents philosophy.:smile: