When planning a residential or commercial asphalt surfacing project, you will understandably have a few questions for the asphalt or bitumen contractor completing the job.
As an experienced asphalt contractor in Perth, NK Asphalt knows the main questions potential customers have on their mind. In response, we’ve compiled a list of important questions to ask your bitumen contractor.
What are their service areas?
Western Australia is a huge area to cover, so if you’re not situated within 100kms of Perth, can your bitumen / asphalt contractor still help?
This should be the first question you ask, as you’d hate to contact an asphalt supplier and plan a budget, only to be outside their area of service.
NK Asphalt serves all of Perth and outer metro area, as far south as Mandurah, as far east as York/Northam, and as far north as Two Rocks/Bullsbrook. Our full-service area can easily be viewed from the map on our locations page.
How long has the asphalt/bitumen contractor been in business?
Experience and reputation are often the best indicators of a quality asphalt or bitumen contractor in Perth. Given the nature of the industry, asphalt suppliers with a history of successful jobs under the belt are more highly regarded.
NK Asphalt has been operating for nearly 35 years and has completed over 11,000 jobs in that time. Our consistent top-quality workmanship, safety, and customer service have been driving factors in our success.
The NK Asphalt team working together to ensure a newly laid surface is compacted and shaped to perfection.
Will I receive a bitumen, asphalt, or tarmac surface?
If you’re on the lookout for a bitumen contractor, is bitumen really what you want?
The short answer is no.
Despite the three terms sometimes being used interchangeably, bitumen, asphalt, and tarmac are all different materials.
- Bitumen is the liquid binder that is used to make asphalt. The term is commonly (and mistakenly) used to refer to asphalt.
- Asphalt is a mix of aggregate, bitumen, and sand.
- Tarmac is no longer being used in Australia. Like asphalt, Tarmac was a mixture of aggregate, sand and a binding agent, which in this case was tar instead of bitumen.
So, a bitumen contractor is inevitably, an asphalt supplier.
Read more on the differences between asphalt and bitumen here.
Does the asphalt or bitumen contractor provide more than just asphalt?
Asphalt is versatile and can be used for multiple surface applications. Most commonly, asphalt is used for public roads, long driveways, car parks, and hardstands. For all these surfaces, enhancements can be made to include additional benefits such as lines, kerbing, and soakwell installations.
Make sure you ask your bitumen contractor for these inclusions if they’re required on your property.
How long will the project take?
Understanding the timeline of an asphalt/bitumen project is crucial, especially if your business relies on its completion. Make sure to ask your contractor for a time estimate so you can plan the best date to begin and a completion date.
NK Asphalt will find a time that suits you and will keep you informed on the progress of your project. Depending on the scope of the job, total construction time may take anywhere from half a day to several days. After construction is complete, the oxidation process (hardening) will take a while longer, however light use is okay the following day. See our approach to asphalt projects here.
Asphalt contractors smoothing the edges of a freshly laid asphalt driveway in WA.
Can I see examples and feedback from previous bitumen/asphalt projects?
Reputable bitumen contractors will have plenty of positive client reviews and a collection of successful projects, but the best examples are actual addresses of similar projects near your area.
See some of NK Asphalt’s many client testimonials here.
What will the asphalt surfacing cost?
When weighing up the cost of asphalt, there are many factors to consider. For a breakdown of what’s involved in a bitumen contractor’s quote, see this previous article.
To receive a free measure and quote from NK Asphalt, fill out the form here.
Our team
NK Asphalt is a family owned and operated business operating in Perth and the surrounding areas. Our talented staff and crew is made up of four families across two generations, so the skills and passion run in the family!
We employ all our staff on a long term, permanent basis.
If you need a new asphalt surface on an area that’s greater than 150m2, contact us below for friendly advice, a prompt reply and competitive prices!
