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Pave It Forward Driveway Assessment

ANTI-SCAM TRUST CENTER - FAQ ANSWERS

Serving Kentucky & Southern Indiana

Question: "A guy in a white truck just knocked on my door saying he has leftover asphalt from a job up the road. Is this legit?"

Answer:
 

No, this is not legit. This is one of the most common paving scams in Kentucky, and we hear about it every single spring when the travelers start rolling through.

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Here's why the "leftover asphalt" story doesn't hold up: Hot mix asphalt cools and hardens within 30-45 minutes of leaving the plant. There's no such thing as "extra" asphalt sitting around waiting to be used. By the time someone drives to your house, knocks on your door, and gives you a sales pitch, that asphalt would be a cold, unusable lump. Legitimate contractors order precisely what they need for each job.


This scam relies on you not knowing this. Here are the red flags to watch for:

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  1. Out-of-state plates on unmarked trucks

  2. Cash-only payment demanded on the spot

  3. High-pressure tactics ("This deal is only good today")

  4. No written contract or business card with a physical address

  5. They found you. Legitimate contractors don't cold-call driveways.

 

If this happens to you, don't engage. Take a photo of the license plate and report it to your local sheriff's office, if you feel safe doing so. These traveling paving crews move through the Ohio Valley every spring and fall, leaving behind thin, failing driveways and empty pockets.

Question: "Do legit paving companies take cash only?"

Answer:

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No. While paying cash for paving work isn't illegal, a contractor who only accepts cash, and refuses checks, credit cards, or any traceable payment, is waving a major red flag.

 

Here's why "cash only" is a warning sign:

 

Tax avoidance. Cash-only businesses often operate off the books. If they're not reporting income, they're probably not carrying proper insurance either. That means if a worker gets hurt on your property, you could be liable.

 

No paper trail. When you pay by check or card, you have proof of payment. If something goes wrong (the driveway fails, they never come back to finish), you have documentation. Cash disappears, and so do they.

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Pressure tactics. "Pay cash today and I'll knock off $500" sounds like a deal, but it's often bait. Legitimate contractors build their pricing transparently and don't need to cut backroom deals.

 

A legitimate paving company will follow standard practices: a small deposit by check or card, with the balance due upon satisfactory completion. At Pave It Forward, we accept checks, cards, and yes, even cash. But we always provide a written receipt and contract regardless of how you pay.

Question: "How do I spot a gypsy paver in Kentucky?"

Answer:

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The term "gypsy pavers" is commonly searched in Kentucky, though the more accurate term is "Travelers" or "transient paving crews." These scam operations follow predictable seasonal patterns through the Ohio Valley, typically appearing in spring and fall when paving season is in full swing.

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After 15 years of paving in Kentucky, here's how to spot them:

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The "Spot the Imposter" Checklist:

  • Unmarked or out-of-state vehicles. Legitimate local contractors have company names, phone numbers, and Kentucky plates on their trucks.

  • No physical address. Ask where their office is. If they hesitate, give a vague answer, or say they "work out of the truck," that's your sign.

  • They approach you. Real contractors are busy. They're not driving around neighborhoods knocking on doors. They get work through referrals and reputation.

  • High-pressure sales. "We're only in the area today" or "This price is only good right now" are classic pressure tactics.

  • No written estimate. A legitimate contractor provides a detailed written proposal, not a number scrawled on scrap paper.

  • Cash-only, no contract. See our other answers on why this is a dealbreaker.

 

These traveling crews prey on homeowners who don't know what to look for. Now you do.

Question: "Why won't the paving guy give me a written contract?"

Answer:

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If a contractor won't put it in writing, that tells you everything you need to know. The risks of a verbal agreement are enormous, and entirely one-sided against you.

 

Here's what you lose without a written contract:

 

No warranty enforcement. If your driveway fails in six months and you have no contract, you have no proof of what was promised. "He said it would last 15 years" means nothing in court without documentation.

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Scope creep. Without written details, there's nothing stopping a contractor from doing less than discussed. "I thought we agreed on 3 inches of asphalt" versus "No, I said 2 inches" becomes your word against theirs.

 

No legal recourse. Kentucky law favors written agreements. Verbal contracts are technically enforceable, but nearly impossible to prove.

 

A legitimate paving contract should include these 5 items:

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  1. Scope of work (removal, base depth, asphalt thickness, square footage)

  2. Materials specified (type of stone, asphalt mix)

  3. Total price and payment schedule

  4. Timeline (start date, estimated completion)

  5. Warranty terms (what's covered, for how long)

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At Pave It Forward, every customer receives a detailed written proposal before we break ground. A proper contract isn't just good business. It protects both of us. If someone won't give you a contract, they're planning to give you problems.

Question: "Does this paving company actually have an office, or are they working out of a truck?"

Answer:

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This is one of the smartest questions you can ask. The difference between a local company and a traveling crew often comes down to one thing: a verifiable physical presence in your community.

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Here's why it matters: If something goes wrong with your driveway next year, you need to be able to find the contractor. Travelers are gone by then. They've moved on to the next state, the next group of homeowners. A local company with an actual address has roots. They have a reputation to protect. They're not going anywhere.

 

How to verify a contractor's address in Kentucky:
 

  1. Google Maps Street View. Type in their address. Is it a real business location, or a vacant lot? A P.O. Box? Someone's house with no trucks in sight?
     

  2. Kentucky Secretary of State Business Search. Visit https://sos.ky.gov and search their company name. You can verify they're a registered Kentucky business and see their official address.
     

  3. Ask for their business license. This confirms they're operating legally in your county.
     

  4. Check for local chamber memberships. At Pave It Forward, we're members of the Jeffersontown Chamber of Commerce and Woodford County Chamber. You can verify that with a phone call.
     

If a contractor can't pass these simple checks, they're not worth the risk. A company working out of a truck today will be working out of another state tomorrow.

Step 1: Schedule a Consultation

Discuss your driveway needs, assess your property, and outline the best approach for your residential paving project.

Step 2: We Handle the Work

We ensure that every aspect of your driveway installation is managed efficiently and professionally, so you can focus on your daily routine without any worries.

Driveway Assessment

Step 3: Enjoy the Results

Enjoy a high-quality, durable asphalt driveway that enhances your home's curb appeal while providing a smooth, reliable surface for your vehicles and family.

Pavement Assessment

At Pave It Forward, our residential driveway assessment follows a straightforward three-step process designed to maximize your investment. Starting with a thorough consultation, we evaluate your driveway's specific needs and develop a customized plan that aligns with your goals and budget. Our experienced team then handles all aspects of project management and execution, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine while maintaining the highest quality standards. The result is a durable, properly graded asphalt driveway that not only enhances your home's curb appeal but also delivers long-term value through proper installation and attention to detail. This systematic approach demonstrates our commitment to excellence in every residential driveway project we undertake.

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