How to choose a paving contractor
Check the contractor’s state license and make sure it is active and the right type. Confirm they are insured and bonded. Ask who does the grading, since many crews hire it out. Ask about the base. Get it in writing.
A few simple checks up front will save you from the most common paving regrets: thin base, poor drainage, and quotes that balloon mid-job.
“Be careful with the lowest bid, because it usually cut the base, which you pay for in a few years.”
North Bay Grading and PavingSonoma County
Check the basics
Look up the contractor’s state license and confirm it is active and the right class for paving and earthwork. Confirm they carry insurance and a bond. From 2026, every California contractor has to carry workers compensation, so confirm that too. These checks take minutes and cover you against problems later.
Ask the right questions
Ask who does the grading, since the most important step is often hired out. Ask about base depth and compaction before you talk surface. Get the scope and price in writing. Read real local reviews. And be careful with the lowest bid, because it usually cut the base, which you pay for later.
- Verify license and insurance
- Ask who does the grading
- Get the base in writing
Choose the contractor who explains the base and drainage, puts it in writing, and stands behind their work locally. That is the one whose pavement lasts.
