ESTIMATES
+ How do I contact Grade A to request a free estimate?
Call our office at (224)-360-6192
Email us at gradeaasphaltservices@gmail.com
You can find us on Yelp
+ What is involved in the estimate process?
Grade A Asphalt Services Inc. appreciates the opportunity to provide you with a free estimate for your project. The estimator will visit your property and take measurements in regards to the scope of work for your project.
+ Do I need to be present for the estimate to be completed?
No, for a standard remove and replace, the estimator may arrive at your property to take measurements as early as 5-6 am and as late as daylight permits.
If the scope of work includes a widening or extension, then it is preferred, the customer mark out the area to be changed.
Otherwise, request an appointment to discuss the scope of work with the estimator.
+ Can I make an appointment to be present during the estimate?
Yes. You can make an appointment to meet the estimator to go over the specifics of your project.
Appointments can be requested via our website or by contacting the office either by phone or email.
All appointments will be confirmed via phone call or email.
+ What are the next steps after the estimate is completed?
A proposal will be drafted based on the estimate and scope of work requested.
Your proposal will be sent to the email address you provided to us.
Upon your review of the proposal, you can accept the proposal or request revisions or clarifications.
Once the final proposal is agreed to by the client and Grade A, our office will send the proposal via DocuSign for your final review and signature.
Grade A will send a deposit invoice usually 50% unless otherwise agreed upon in the proposal.
The deposit is due upon receipt in order to have your project begin the scheduling process.
+ What if I do not have access to a computer to receive the proposal DocuSign?
Please let the office know and we will mail you a copy of the proposal. You can sign the copy and return it to the office by mail or in person. We will sign the original and mail you a copy of the signed proposal.
PERMITS
+ Do I need a permit?
If a permit is required, you will need to submit a permit application, a copy of the signed proposal, and a copy of your plat of survey.
You will need to sketch the dimensions of the scope of work onto the plat of survey and follow any other instructions required by the building department.
+ How long does it take to get the permit?
The time of approval varies with each building department. It is our experience that it takes between five (5) days to three (3) weeks depending on the workload in the building department.
+ How much does the permit cost?
The permit fee is set by each municipality’s building department. For some, it is a flat fee; some have a minimum fee plus a cost times the project total. Check with the building department when you make your permit application.
+ When do I pay the permit fee?
The building department will process your permit application and once it is approved, the fee will be calculated. The municipality will contact the client and/or Grade A to inform them the permit is ready for pick-up. The client will pay the fee directly to the municipality building department.
+ If I live in an unincorporated area in Lake County, do I need a permit?
Check our website for the Lake County Building department.
The county may require a permit for projects that involve a widening/extension or change of grade and/or where there may be wetlands on the property.
You can contact the Lake County Planning, Building, and Development Department at 847-377-2600: provide your address for the project to get more information if a permit is needed.
Also, check with your road commissioner or township for permit and/or inspection requirements of the project.
+ Can Grade A Asphalt Services Inc. obtain the permit on my behalf?
Yes, we charge a $195.00 service fee.
On the proposal, there is a section where you mark an “X” to choose Grade A to process the permit application.
This fee IS SEPARATE from the permit fee payable to your building department.
+ What does the $195.00 Permit Process Service include?
The client will provide the plat of survey to the office of Grade A.
Grade A will complete the permit application, sketch in the dimensions according to the municipality’s requirements, and make all communications with the building department (including making any revisions as requested).
Once the permit is approved, Grade A will contact the client with the amount due.
The client will pay the permit fee directly to the municipality’s building department and pick up the permit. Some villages will accept online payments and deliver a copy of the permit electronically via email.
Once the client has obtained the permit, then they should submit a copy of the permit to the Grade A office; and post the original permit in a window.
+ How long is the permit effective?
This varies by each building department.
From our experience with most municipalities, usually 3-6 months and some up to one (1) year.
+ What are refundable bond fees? Who is responsible to pay these fees?
Some municipalities require refundable bonds to be paid as collateral until the project passes the final inspection. These fees vary by building department.
Please check with your building department to confirm if these fees are applicable to your project.
In most circumstances, these fees are the responsibility of the customer, unless the municipality requires the contractor to pay.
SCHEDULING
+ How do I get on the removal schedule?
Pay the 50% down deposit (or other terms if agreed in writing by both parties).
Secure a permit from the building department, and provide a copy of the permit to the Grade A office.
Grade A will begin the scheduling process.
+ Is contacting J.U.L.I.E. required? Do I need to contact J.U.L.I.E?
Before digging, it is required by law to contact J.U.L.I.E.
Grade A will contact J.U.L.I.E. to get a scheduled date for marking all underground public utilities on your property.
After the utilities are marked, there is a window of about two (2) weeks to begin the work. If the work is NOT beginning during this time, Grade A will re-contact J.U.L.I.E. to have the markings updated.
If you are aware of other hazards outside of the public utilities, please notify Grade A in advance so precautionary measures can be taken while on-site.
+ How long does the project take to complete?
The basis process varies depending on the following factors:
the time it takes to have the permit approved
when the client remits the 50% deposit
the scheduled date for J.U.L.I.E. to mark the utilities
the location of your project related to other previous jobs scheduled
the type of work being done: changes to the existing footprint (widenings/extensions) and concrete involves more steps than asphalt paving
scheduling of base and final inspections by the building department
weather conditions to perform the work
any unforeseen circumstances that may delay the project progression
+ How will I be notified when I am on the schedule?
The office may email and/or call you to confirm the scheduling date.
PROJECT DO'S & DONT'S
+ Do I need to do anything when to prepare for my project?
Yes, we will provide instructions. These may include, but are not limited to:
Moving all vehicles out of the driveway and away from the driveway entrance to allow for our vehicles and equipment to maneuver in and out smoothly;
Notifying your local police to avoid getting a citation when you need to park your vehicles on the street (1) on the day of removal and (2) for at least 48 hours after paving or seal coating or concrete replacement.
Providing Grade A with security code for gates, if applicable.
+ Can I drive on or park on the gravel after the old driveway has been removed and the base is graded and compacted?
Yes. You are encouraged to drive and park on the driveway to ensure proper compaction. The driveway is typically final graded and re-compacted on the day of the installation of the new pavement.
+ After the driveway/sidewalk is removed, how long does it take to replace it with a new one?
This depends on the scheduling of the base inspection
The complexity of the full scope of work for your project
The project load of previous jobs
Weather conditions
Unforeseen circumstances
+ Does my garage need to be open when the new pavement is installed?
Yes. It is very important to have the garage door open because it allows for a smooth transition when replacing the new asphalt driveway. The paver can make smooth lines between the garage floor entrance and the driveway when the garage door is open. Also, Grade A may request security codes to access secured areas i.e., garages and/or gates. Grade A will ensure the codes are kept confidential and are destroyed from our records after the job is completed.
+ How long do I need to stay off of the driveway once the asphalt is installed?
We recommend staying off of the driveway for at least 48 hours after installation.
Use caution when pulling into the garage to prevent marks and/or dents in the driveway.
It is also important that your vehicle’s wheels are not turned diagonally in a parked position. This will cause what is called a power steering wheel mark.
If this is to occur, the seal coating maintenance will naturally cover the blemish caused by the vehicle.
Once the driveway has been completed, please do not park in the same spot on the driveway or this may cause dips and/or divots.
CULVERTS
+ When removing and replacing a culvert, do you supply the dirt and/or rocks if needed after the culvert is completed?
No. The topsoil dirt, decorative rocks, or any type of landscaping is NOT INCLUDED in the asphalt/concrete pricing. These are additional charges. Upon request, a quote can be provided for this service.
+ Will rainwater be pitched away from the house and garage?
All precautions are taken to ensure the allotted proper positive pitch away from the house and garage. Problematic areas are to be discussed and addressed with the homeowner, if applicable.
+ I have sprinkler heads close to the driveway. If they need to be moved or relocated will there be an additional charge?
We would need to know where they are located so they can be marked. Relocation and replacing sprinkler heads will be the responsibility of the client.
LANDSCAPE/GENERAL
+ Will dirt work in the ditch line or edges of the driveway be provided by Grade Asphalt Services?
Backfill dirt or any type of landscaping is NOT INCLUDED in the pricing because it is not always needed. However, these services can be price quoted and provided.
+ When the project is completed, will the asphalt be flush with any concrete sidewalks?
Yes, the asphalt is hand-stamped at sidewalks, garage slabs, curbs, etc. This creates a smooth even transition from concrete to asphalt. However, if there are perfections in the existing bordering concrete the slope of the new asphalt will be maintained to ensure proper drainage is maintained.
INSPECTIONS
+ Who is responsible to contact the building department for inspections?
Grade A calls for the base and final inspections for each project. We will assist the customer with correspondence/communications with the building department, to resolve issues arising out of the performance of the scope of work contracted in writing.
+ How many inspections are required?
In most cases, there will be two inspections. The inspection requirements are set by each municipality’s building department.
Grade A Asphalt Services will call for the first (base) inspection once the old asphalt has been removed.
The second (final) inspection will take place after the asphalt has been installed. This reassures the customer that the work is being done properly.
The inspector will visit the property to ensure the work meets municipal code for the base and/or final inspection.
+ What happens if either inspection fails?
Grade A will communicate with the inspector/building department to discuss the issue(s) that caused the failure.
Then Grade A will reasonably resolve the issue(s) and re-contact the inspector to schedule for a re-inspection.
Upon passing the base inspection, Grade A will schedule the date for installation, according to the scope of work.
Upon passing the final inspection, Grade A will close the project file once all payments have been received in full.
SEAL COATING
+ Is there anything I need to do for yearly maintenance?
Yes, for the first two years it is very important to seal coat your driveway. The first time should be 60-90 days after the new asphalt installation to insure proper curing time.
You will also want to seal the following year.
After that, you can seal coat every other year.
Asphalt is very porous and if seal coating is not maintained, your driveway will crack and not last as long as it should.
PAYMENTS
+ How do I know when payments are due and received?
The office will send out at least 3 invoices during the progress of the project via QuickBooks and/or via our company email.
The deposit invoice states the 50% due unless otherwise agreed to in writing, is due upon signing of the proposal via DocuSign.
Balance due invoice states the remaining balance after the deposit is received.
Final Balance due states the final amount due on the date the work is completed unless otherwise agreed by both parties.
Paid in Full states all payments (according to contract) and any additional charges incurred during the project, as agreed upon in writing, are all received.
+ How do I make payments?
All payments can either be paid by cash, check, or credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).
Cash can be paid in person at the office (address below).
Checks can be mailed or dropped off at the office (address below).
Credit/Debit card payments can be made by calling the office.
There is a convenience fee for all electronic payments.
ABOUT GRADE A
+ Is Grade A Asphalt Services fully insured?
Yes. We are fully insured for commercial, municipal, and residential services. A certificate of insurance (COI) can be provided upon request.
+ How much experience does Grade A Asphalt Services have?
Our management has 25 years of experience with a crew of over 100 plus years combined experience.
+ Does Grade A Asphalt Services, Inc. have a warranty?
Yes. Grade A has a one (1) year warranty on all of our project specifics that can be found on the proposal. All work is done with permits and proper inspections that meet your Village and/or City building department requirements.
+ Is the equipment used owned by Grade A Asphalt Services, Inc. or leased?
Grade A Asphalt Services, Inc. owns all equipment and/or rents specific equipment for specific needs.
+ Is the work provided subcontracted?
No. Grade A is the sole contractor for the scope of work for the project. The work is only subcontracted when requested or discussed and agreed upon within the contract.
+ Who do I contact for additional questions?
The Project Coordinator, or the office staff are your main contacts. They can be reached by calling the office at (224)-360-6192 or by email at gradeaasphaltservices@gmail.com. All phone calls and/or emails will be addressed promptly.