Don’t Get Paved Over by Scammers: How Florida Homeowners Can Avoid Asphalt and Driveway Ripoffs

Florida homeowners, especially seniors, are frequent targets for paving and home improvement scams. Scammers know many residents are retired, may not be familiar with construction pricing, and often want quick fixes to driveways or private roads. After storms and hurricane season, the problem gets even worse as unlicensed contractors flood neighborhoods offering “repairs” on the spot.

In many of these cases, the scammer:

Shows up unannounced
Claims to be “working in the area” with leftover asphalt
Uses or impersonates the name of a real company
Pushes for cash or a large deposit
Does poor quality work, or never comes back to finish the job

This guide explains the most common scams, red flags to watch for, and the steps to choose a reputable paving contractor in Florida.

Common Asphalt and Driveway Scams in Florida

1. The “Leftover Asphalt” or “We’re in the Neighborhood” Scam

One of the most common paving scams starts with a knock at the door. The person says they have “leftover asphalt from another job” and can give you a one time, half price deal if you agree right now.

Why this is a red flag:

Professional contractors calculate materials closely. Having enough “leftover” for a whole driveway or street is extremely unlikely.
The leftover material is often low grade or diluted, and the crew rushes through the job. The surface may crumble, rut, or wash out in a short time.
You are pressured to decide immediately, with no time to compare quotes or check the company.

2. “Travelers” and Out of State Crews

Florida has long been targeted by groups that move through the state, offering cheap driveway paving and other home repairs.

Typical warning signs:

Trucks with out of state plates, often unmarked or with temporary magnetic signs
No physical local office, just a motel, campground, or post office box if you look it up
They leave town quickly, so you have no recourse if something goes wrong

Law enforcement agencies in Florida have repeatedly warned about these door to door paving scams where residents pay up front, and the driveway is either left unfinished or done so poorly it has to be torn out.

3. Impersonating Licensed or Well Known Companies

Some scammers steal the name of a real, licensed contractor to appear legitimate. They may:

Put a real company’s name on flyers, ads, or verbal pitches
Use a fake website or a similar sounding name
Refuse to show you an actual photo ID and license card that matches the name on their truck or paperwork

If you do not check documents and contact information carefully, it can be hard to tell the difference between an imposter and the real company.

4. Fake “Senior Discounts” and High Pressure Tactics

Contractor fraud aimed at seniors often includes:

“Special senior pricing” that is supposedly good “today only”
Demands for large deposits or full payment in cash before work begins
Changing the price after starting, claiming the problem is “much worse than expected”

Any contractor who targets your age, fear, or urgency instead of focusing on the work and the details is showing you a major red flag.

How Legitimate Paving Contractors in Florida Actually Operate

Knowing what good looks like makes spotting a scam much easier.

A reputable Florida paving contractor will typically:

Not show up out of the blue demanding a decision on the spot
Provide a written estimate that is valid for a reasonable period of time, not minutes
Clearly describe:
- The work to be done
- Materials to be used (type of asphalt, base, thickness)
- Start and completion dates
- Total price and payment schedule
Accept multiple forms of payment (check, card, or electronic payment), not cash only
Be able to show:
- A local business address you can verify on a map
- Proof of insurance
- Appropriate county or city contractor license where required
Offer local references and photos of recent work in your area

In Florida, there is no single statewide asphalt paving license, but many counties and municipalities require contractors to hold a local certificate of competency or contractor license to do paving work legally. A serious contractor will know exactly what is required in your area and be able to prove compliance.

Ten Questions to Ask Before You Hire Any Paving Company

Use this checklist with any company you are considering, paving or otherwise.

“What is your exact legal business name and local address?”
Look it up on Google Maps. Be cautious if the address is a motel, campsite, mailbox store, or only a post office box.
“Are you licensed to do this work in my county or city?”
Ask for:
- County or city contractor license or certificate of competency
- Any relevant state license for the type and size of work
Then verify with your local building or licensing department.
“Can I see your driver’s license and contractor license card?”
Make sure the name on their ID matches the name on the license and the name on the truck or paperwork. This helps protect against impersonators.
“Do you carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation?”
Ask for proof of insurance and call the carrier if you have any doubts.
“Can you provide a detailed written estimate?”
It should spell out:
- Square footage or area being paved
- Type of work (new install, overlay, repair)
- Asphalt type and thickness
- Base material and compaction method
- Drainage considerations
- Clean up responsibilities
“What payment schedule do you require?”
Be wary if they demand all or most of the money up front, especially in cash.
A reasonable deposit plus progress or completion payments is more typical.
“How long have you been operating in this area?”
Ask for recent local references you can call, not just photos.
“Who will actually do the work?”
Are they using their own crew and equipment or brokering the job out to someone else?
A real company will be straightforward about their team and subcontractors.
“What warranty do you provide on materials and workmanship?”
The warranty should be in writing and realistic for Florida’s sun, rain, and heat.
“Will you pull any required permits, if needed?”
Depending on your municipality and the size of the project, permits or approvals may be needed from local authorities. The contractor should know what applies.

Step by Step: How to Check a Paving Contractor in Florida

1. Look Up the Company Online

Search the company name with words like “reviews” and the name of your city or county.
Check reviews, but be cautious of brand new listings with only a few, overly positive reviews.
Look for a website, photos of real work, and consistent contact information.

2. Verify the Physical Address

Use Google Maps or another mapping service.
Be cautious if the address points to:
- A motel or campground
- A mailbox store
- A place that clearly is not a business office or yard

3. Check Licensing

County or City License:
Visit your county or city contractor licensing or community development page to search for licensed contractors or to call and ask. Many Florida counties require a certificate of competency or contractor license to legally operate.
State License (if applicable):
For certain types of construction work, licenses are regulated by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A reputable contractor will know what category they fall under.

4. Confirm Insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance showing current liability and, where applicable, workers’ compensation coverage.
Call the insurance agent listed to confirm that the policy is active.

5. Match Names and Numbers

The name on the truck, the contract, the license, and the insurance should all be consistent.
If anything does not line up, or if they refuse to provide documentation, consider that a serious warning sign.

Red Flag Checklist: When You Should Walk Away

Be extremely cautious or say “no, thank you” if you see any of these:

Door to door solicitation, especially if you did not ask for an estimate
Claims of “leftover material from another job” or a deal that is “only good today”
Out of state plates, unmarked trucks, or no clear business branding
No written estimate or contract, only a verbal quote
Cash only demands, or requests for a large up front payment
Reluctance or refusal to provide ID, license information, insurance proof, or local references
Pressure tactics aimed at seniors, such as “we are doing all your neighbors, you do not want your house to look bad, do you?”
The person becomes aggressive when you ask to think it over or check their information

If any of these apply, it is safer to decline and close the door.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Neighbors, Especially Seniors

Do not decide on the spot. A legitimate contractor will respect that you need time to compare estimates.
Never hand over cash at the door. If you feel pressured, end the conversation.
Look out for elderly neighbors. If you see unknown crews going door to door or working on a neighbor’s property who may be vulnerable, check in on them or contact a family member or trusted neighbor.
Report suspicious activity:
- Local law enforcement or sheriff’s office, especially for door to door paving “specials”
- Your county’s contractor licensing board or community development department
- The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for suspected unlicensed activity

If you think you have already been scammed:

Save all paperwork, receipts, and photos.
Take pictures or video of the work that was done.
Contact your bank or card company immediately to see if payment can be stopped or disputed.
File reports with local law enforcement, your county licensing office, and relevant consumer protection agencies.

How Florida Asphalt Solutions Helps Homeowners Avoid These Risks

When you hire a reputable, local paving company, you eliminate most of the risk that scammers create. At Florida Asphalt Solutions, our process is designed to be the exact opposite of these bad actors.

Here is how we work:

No high pressure door to door sales. Estimates are scheduled, never forced on your doorstep.
Clear, written proposals. Every job has a written scope of work, materials, timeline, and price before work begins.
Local licensing and insurance. We maintain proper local licensing where required and up to date insurance, and we are happy to show documentation on request.
Local references and project photos. Homeowners can see real work completed in their own community and speak with past customers.
Professional crews and equipment. Work is performed by trained team members using proper paving and compaction equipment, not a pickup truck and leftover material.

Thinking about repaving your driveway or private road?
Before you say yes to anyone at your door, take a few minutes to check their name, license, and references. If you would like a no pressure, written estimate from a local, properly insured Florida paving contractor, contact Florida Asphalt Solutions today. We are happy to answer questions, explain your options, and help you make an informed decision.

How Florida Homeowners Can Avoid Asphalt and Driveway Scams