WARNING - U.S. Paving & Engineering

[Brenda]

Please check out U.S. Paving & Engineering on the BBB before dealing with them!
I wish I had!

According to information in Bureau files this company has an unsatisfactory record BBB Definition:

http://www.dallas.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Repor ... m=21001419

They showed up at my house this morning and told me they had an overun and would give me a great price and pave a small section of my driveway for $1800. (and don't tell the neighbors about what a great price your getting)
Then there was a lot of fast talk about extending the road. I told them to give me a price before extending the road further.
They extended the road without giving me pricing. (this is part of the con)
They were going to finish the whole drive without letting me know or giving me ANY idea of the cost! When I stopped them, they were half way up my VERY long driveway and my teeth fell out when Billy informed me that he had run up a $17,000 tab and he expected me to pay or he was going to put a lien on my home!
These guys are con artists!
Do NOT let them on your property!

According to information in Bureau files this company has an unsatisfactory record due to pattern of complaints regarding selling practices
BBB Definition:
selling practices - Claims of alleged sales presentations made in person or by telephone that contain misrepresentations of the product or service, high pressure sales practices, failure to disclose key conditions of the offer, and verbal representations not consistent with written contractual terms or agreements.
.
Specifically, complaints indicate that the payment that is demanded for the services provided was greater than the price previously quoted and agreed to.

[mwyoung]

THANK YOU for posting this.

They paid me a visit too (I think it was the same day). I almost said 'Yes'... and was going to consider it next time they came by... Now I know what my answer will be next time

[Brenda]

The City of Lucas has received several complaints
concerning door-to-door solicitation for driveway
paving. These contractors claim to have “extra material”
from a job they have just completed and will offer
a price “good for today only”. Though the complaints
vary, generally the unsatisfied customer mentions the
use of a product inferior to what they thought they were
getting or the final cost greatly exceeding the total that
was expected. Often intimidation is used and threats
are made, including the threat of a lien on the property
if the contractor’s demands are not met.
Lucas requires a permit before any driveway
paving on city road right-of-way is to begin. This is
intended to protect the property owner from shoddy
workmanship and unscrupulous contractors. Reputable
contractors do not carry extra asphalt or other materials
door-to-door. When a contract is made, the
property owner should have sufficient time to review
the agreement without fear of losing a good price.

To protect themselves, Lucas property owners
should consider the following normal practices:
1. Get 3 or more bids before agreeing to a
contract. The best way to find a good contractor is to
Door-to-Door Solicitation Alert
ask someone who has had the same work done and is a satisfied
customer. The city maintains a list of contractors who have done
work in the city as well as the number of the jobs they do.
Unsatisfactory contractors are not kept on the list.
2. Know the reasonable charges for the different materials.
For chip seal work, this amount may vary from $3.50/yd2 for a
large job (like a street) to $10/yd2 for small jobs (a typical 1 lane
driveway and 2 or 3 parking spaces). For asphalt these
amounts vary from $10/yd2 to $14/yd2. Concrete runs $4.25/
ft2 to $5.50/ft2 (to convert this cost to square yards, multiply x 9)
3. Do not accept a business card with a dollar amount
written on it. This written amount is construed to be the contract
price regardless of the verbal agreement.
4. Have a signed contract with a completed job cost total
(turn key) before allowing any work to begin.
If you suspect you are dealing with a disreputable contractor
you may call the city, but the city can only issue a citation if
the workers are still on the job and witnessed by the staff
member. Remember, if the price offered seems too good to be
true, it may not be what you are looking for. If you know of
suspicious activities in your neighborhood call the city office at
972-727-8999.
Debbie Fisher
City of Lucas Councilmember

http://www.lucastexas.us/objects/July_2009.pdf