5 Questions to Ask Your Pothole Repair Contractor

Potholes are more than just an eyesore. They’re a liability, a vehicle-damager, and a sign of deferred maintenance. But when you start looking for a fix, you’ll find a wide range of quotes and promises.

At G-FORCE®, we’ve seen too many managers get burned by fly-by-night contractors who offer a cheap price and a “throw-and-go” patch that fails after the first heavy rain or freeze-thaw cycle. In the paving world, the cheapest bid usually ends up being the most expensive when you have to pay to fix it 2x.

To protect your asset and your budget, here are five must-ask questions before you sign a pothole repair contract.

1. Which pothole repair method will you be using?

This is by far the most important question you can ask a pothole repair company. There are three common levels of repair:

1. The “Throw-and-Go” (Avoid at all costs!): Loose asphalt is shoveled into a wet or dirty hole and compacted by a truck tire. It’s a temporary bandaid that rarely lasts through a season.
2. Saw-Cut and Remove: The damaged asphalt is cut into a clean square and removed. Then, new hot-mix asphalt is installed. This is a solid, structural repair.
3. Infrared Seamless Bonding: A specialized heater softens the existing asphalt, and new hot-mix is fused into it. This creates a seamless patch that prevents water from ever getting back into the joint.At G-FORCE®, we don’t do “throw-and-go.” We specialize in high-precision methods like Infrared Repair and Full-Depth Patching to ensure the repair actually bonds to your existing pavement.

2. How do you prepare the area before applying the patch?

If a contractor tells you they can just pour asphalt into a hole and be done, run in the opposite direction! For a pothole patch to hold, the area must be clean and dry. Dirt, standing water, and loose debris prevent the new asphalt from tacking or bonding to the old surface.

3. Are you using Hot-Mix or Cold-Patch asphalt?

Cold patch has its place (mostly for emergency fixes in the dead of winter when the plants are closed). But it isn’t a long-term solution. For a repair that lasts, you want Hot-Mix Asphalt. We apply it at 300°F+ to create a dense, durable surface that handles heavy traffic without flinching.

4. How will you work around my business operations?

A seasoned asphalt contractor will have a plan for your parking lot project that minimizes disruption and keeps traffic moving safely. Whether it’s phasing the work to keep half the lot open or using Infrared technology (which is often ready for traffic in 20-30 minutes), we prioritize minimizing your business disruption.

5. Do you stand behind your asphalt work?

Many pothole contractors will disappear the moment the check clears. A professional partner should stand behind their workmanship. Because G-FORCE® is a Veteran-owned brand built on Service, Integrity, and Pride, we don’t just fill holes. We provide asset preservation. We’re accountable for every square inch of parking lot we touch.

Find Dependable Pothole Service Near You

Your parking lot is the first thing a customer sees. By choosing a quality repair today, you can prevent a total (and incredibly expensive) resurface tomorrow. If you’re ready for a chuckhole repair that lasts, count on G-FORCE® Parking Lot Striping near you! Request a pothole repair quote today!