Use Caution If You Plan To Seal The Driveway

Lower Moreland is heating up. Mother Nature is showing her signs of spring, and most are happy to see it come. 

Lower Moreland Police, however, want you to take warning. Some may use the seasonal warmth to scam you.

"Unfortunately, an unpleasant, expensive scheme has also become synonymous with the spring and summer season: Driveway sealing and repavement scams," wrote the LMPD in the township's newsletter. "A workman might come to your door asking if you would like to have your driveway done. They may say they were doing a job in the area and had some material leftover, and can do your driveway for a low price."

Sadly, the story doesn't have a happy ending.

"Later, after you pay them and they are gone, you start to notice problems. Either the coating starts to dry and you find out that the workers just wet the driveway down and really nothing was done, or they used some kind of oil product that you end up tracking into your home or they do not complete the job and never return to finish," warned the department. "Most of these businesses don’t give an address."

To help protect residents from falling prey to this type of scam, the department recommends being on alert for contractors claiming they have “left-over materials” as it is "probably the greatest indicator of a scam."

"Most reputable contractors calculate materials carefully for a job and rarely have leftovers enough to do another entire job," said the warning. "Other things to look out for are fancy-looking, well-maintained trucks with small asphalt rollers and other equipment carried on lightutility-type trailers, as well as drag-box spreaders that pull behind the truck."

The local police said there is one other warning sign.

"Avoid contractors who give bids by the gallon (for sealant) or ton (asphalt); these are also hallmarks of a scam in the works," said the newsletter. "Residents should find out if the contractor is a member of a professional association with standards, should ask for references and check them, never pay in full in advance, and never pay cash."

If you are seeking to have driveway work done, there are some simple tips to keep you, your home, and your wallet safe this spring and summer.

"Verify that the contractor has both liability and worker’s compensation insurance," said the LMPD. "Most importantly, use your common sense. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is."