[nitro121]

I was out mowing today....some guys pulled up w/ cards....budget sealcoating.....they thought the house I was cutting was mine. I told them I have a 600ft driveway....they said they could do mine for 600-650. That's .10-.15 a foot. The estimate I got from the guy who laid the driveway was $900. They are using a trash pump.....but no sand.

I don't know if I'll get to my trash pump system or not this year so I got to get it done. I'll take pics.

One dude is shirtless and 400lbs...not the most professional look.

I may not even go in to this business now......or just stick to my grass customers and not advertise. If guys like this are just driving through neighborhoods cutting prices then there is no use to put a bunch of money in a system.

By they way.....todays price.....$500. :clapping:

I think they'll do a good job....I told them I'd refer them to my clients if they are good. Once again....cheap price wins over nice equipment. :weightlifter:

Peace,
Gary

 

[nitro121]

There is no doubt I'll be purchasing a trash pump in the next month or so and offering the service to my customers. I will do like them and broom the water based stuff w/ sand and spray gilsonite.

All the talk about leaving streaks, thick layer, blah, blah, blah....means nothing. Anyway....I'm glad I got to see for myself how easy it was.

And for all the haters....the guys had business cards, insured, licensed...etc....well, I didn't call the state business board to double check, but their cards say it. Umm....I got a great job....I told them about my 2 neighbors w/ the same size drive and 80 grass customers I'd refer them to....they laid it down thick. But thanks for the concern. And please don't tell me I won't save any money.....I'll be doing my own driveway from here on out....so bottom line, I will save money.

Good luck fellas.

PS....I doubt they'll be much business for residential work anymore for the big companies....In VA, the immigrants are now using trash pumps.....you think the price is getting driven down now...wait 2 more years. I'm just going to hit my grass customers because they'll give me the business because they know me.

 

[nitro121]

Hard to see the end of the driveway...but 660ft...one turn around...I'm near the garage so I'm standing on more driveway.

 

[nitro121]

be a gypsy. :laugh:

I'm sure they cut it w/ deisel at $4 bucks a gallon.

And I'm sure they are handing out cards, invoices, etc so they can get a bad name and be out of business in a year or two.

Heck, they are doing all that just so my driveway can "crumble" in the next couple years.

If they did all that....then they made an extra $75 bucks??? Just to be run out of business.

Actually...the one guy, his dad owns an established paving company here....but he's on his own doing all the maint and seal jobs and picks up other jobs from people like me when they can get them.

No its not illegal....I posted before when learning about sealcoating that most of the companies here use gilsonite. "ashpalt doesn't wear out...it dries out" is the motto of most around here. But they did offer both.....I chose gilsonite because I'll keep applying it myself in the future.

Peace

 

[nitro121]

I don't take offense or anything....we're just throwing our opinions around.

But....I think the guys are on the up and up. Like I said, I think the prospect of getting more business from me....even just this one time....they applied it correctly. I mean, I'm standing there telling them I'll reference them to my customers....if they were ripping people off; I think they would do my job correct so they could rip off the other people.

I mean I started a business....I never set out to rip anyone off. If these guys didn't provide cards, an invoice, and a guarantee (although it means nothing....just makes people feel good) I would have passed on them. But being local boys from the next county over, I think I made a good choice.

No it wasn't heated.....but it was about 90 degrees that day....hope it was hot enough :laugh:

 

[nitro121]

the customer (me) is happy. That shinny **** looks great. :clapping:

I was in a pinch and got it done, but I'll be purchasing a "trash pump" system in the future to keep doing my own drive, relatives, and customers next season.

For the other stuff, we'll spread it by hand....or pass on those jobs. :laugh:

I mean, I like it looking black like it was brand new...and according to you guys (as soon as I get my system)....I can do my driveway w/ gilsonite for $100 bucks and 3 hours labor. I'll be doing my drive twice a year from here on out.

Anyhow...my driveway hasn't fell apart, it looks great, and it seems to be doing its job.

What should I look for to know if I got ripped off....will water bead up on it, does it get soft, does it turn colors?? Give me an example....or do you guys just make up what will go wrong if you don't use a "high dollar professional"?

Peace,
Gary

 

[nitro121]

how can I tell if there was a bad job??

Will water bead/not bead on it?

Should it be tacky/not tacky when its hot outside?

Will the soles of my shoes turn black when walking on it?

Give me something to look for.

Peace,
Gary

 

[nitro121]

at least w/ the guys who did my drive. I asked them their price so I could give it to my customers.....I was actually looking to see what they charged so I can base my prices off that if I get in to the business.

A standard 2 car driveway.....125-150 gilsonite, 225 sealer. So there is a price difference. Just everyone on the board is trying to keep everyone from getting in to this low-skill job because its so easy to do (as long as you don't mind sweating).

PLUS....I've asked twice how to tell if you get a good job or not. All these guys saying this or saying that about how you get ripped off; can't answer/prove if you get a good job or not.


Peace

 

[nitro121]

One guy did touch on that....but I don't have brown spots (yet). So I guess I got a good deal.

According to some guys.....my driveway was going to crumble in a few years because I got a good price.

Peace