### The Driveway and Paving Scam: Asphalt and Concrete Con Artists

Driveway and paving scams represent another common category of contractor fraud that targets homeowners with offers of discounted asphalt or concrete work, typically involving substandard materials and workmanship that fails quickly while providing no recourse for victims.

The initial approach usually involves door-to-door solicitation where contractors claim they have leftover asphalt or concrete from a nearby commercial job and can provide residential paving at deeply discounted prices. They create urgency by claiming the materials must be used immediately before they harden or that the offer is only available that day.

Material deception forms the core of these scams, where criminals use inappropriate or inferior materials while claiming to provide standard paving products. They might use recycled oil mixed with dirt instead of proper asphalt, or thin concrete that lacks proper reinforcement. These materials may look acceptable initially but deteriorate rapidly under normal use.

Price manipulation involves initially quoting low prices to gain interest, then dramatically increasing costs once work begins. Contractors claim they discovered complications requiring additional materials or work, or they find reasons to expand the scope beyond the original agreement. By this point, homeowners feel committed to the project and reluctantly agree to additional charges.

Quality shortcuts include skipping essential preparation steps that ensure long-lasting results. Legitimate paving requires proper excavation, base preparation, and material application, but fraudulent contractors often skip these steps to save time and money. The resulting work may look acceptable initially but fails within months.

Payment pressure typically involves demands for cash payments and reluctance to accept checks or credit cards that create paper trails. These contractors often claim they offer discounts for cash payments but actually want to avoid documentation that could be used to track them later.

Equipment deception includes using inadequate tools that cannot properly prepare surfaces or apply materials correctly. Legitimate paving requires specialized equipment, but fraudulent contractors often use basic tools that cannot achieve professional results. They might rent appropriate equipment for demonstrations but use inferior tools for actual work.

Geographic mobility makes these scammers difficult to track, as they often operate across multiple communities and states. They might claim to be based locally but actually travel from job to job, making it impossible for victims to find them when problems arise.

Time pressure involves claims that the work must be completed immediately or the opportunity will be lost. This prevents homeowners from getting second opinions, researching contractor credentials, or comparing prices with legitimate businesses.

Prevention requires homeowners to never accept unsolicited paving offers, always get multiple quotes from established local contractors, verify contractor credentials and insurance independently, and insist on detailed written contracts that specify materials, methods, and warranties.

Red flags include door-to-door solicitation, cash-only payment demands, pressure for immediate decisions, claims about leftover materials, inability to provide local references, and quotes significantly lower than established contractors.

Recovery from paving scams often requires complete removal and replacement of substandard work, which can cost more than proper installation would have initially. Victims should document everything, file complaints with consumer protection agencies, and consider legal action when damages are substantial.