Performing asphalt maintenance can present contractors with various challenges. Clients are not always reasonable in their demands, the weather could not care less about the contractor’s schedule, and key employees can sometimes fall ill or suffer an off-duty injury. As a contractor, the last thing you need is to discover that you have chosen the wrong sealcoat supplier. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best sealcoat supplier.
What Is the Reputation of the Sealcoat Supplier?
If you know some experienced sealcoating contractors that are not your direct competitors, ask them which supplier provides their sealer. Ask them whether they are completely satisfied with their supplier. That is, are there any unresolved issues? Has the supplier always been able to provide them with what they need when they need it? Once you have the names of several possible suppliers, go online to search for more information. Visit the supplier’s website as well as professional discussion forums to see what you can learn. Check to see if the supplier is a member of the Better Business Bureau; if so, what rating has the supplier earned? However, keep in mind that not every sealcoat supplier has a BBB rating, so do not automatically disqualify a candidate on that basis alone.
What Are the Sealcoating Supplier’s Business Hours?
The best suppliers keep hours that make sense for their customers, and they will go out of their way to help if a customer needs an emergency supply outside of normal hours. If a supplier closes every day at 3 p.m., is never open on holidays or weekends, or charges an exorbitant fee to allow you to pick up an order outside of the supplier’s standard business hours, be very cautious. Ask yourself what you would do if you found you needed a little more sealcoating to complete a job, but your supplier is closed and cannot be reached.
Can the Company Supply You With What You Need?
If you only have one crew that handles a couple of small sealcoating jobs a day, most suppliers can easily meet your needs. However, if you have five or six crews that each handle massive projects, you need to make sure that your supplier maintains an adequate inventory to provide you with the quantity you routinely need. You should also ask whether the company can supply you with any sealcoating equipment or accessories.
What Is the Source of the Supplier’s Sealcoating Products?
Some suppliers are actually asphalt maintenance contractors who resell products on the side. However, other suppliers manufacture the sealcoating that they sell. There are also suppliers who fall in the middle; they neither manufacture nor apply sealcoating. Typically, manufacturers who are also distributors tend to offer better support to their customers. They make sure that their customers know to apply their products, provide them with an assortment of data sheets, and are willing to respond quickly to any questions that their customers might have.
Have You Contacted Pacific Sealcoat Distributors in Milton, Washington?
We manufacture and distribute Pitch Black Eco-Friendly Asphalt Emulsion Sealcoat, and we also offer sealcoating accessories and equipment. During peak times, we are open around the clock to serve our customers. For more information, fill out our online contact form, email Gary.M@PacificSealcoat.com, or call 253-888-0502.