The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) received a report this week from the New London area regarding transient asphalt contractors looking for work. Their vehicles have out-of-state plates and their business cards and contracts list an out-of-state address. All Wisconsin residents should be on the lookout for these transient contractors. A New London consumer agreed to pay $4,000 by check to the crew for a resurfacing job, but was told by a local contractor after the project was completed that it could have been done for $1,500. A neighbor who agreed to let the crew work on her driveway paid cash. Transient asphalt crews show up unannounced at homes and businesses, claiming to have leftover product from a prior job and offering to blacktop a driveway for a cheap price. The job is quickly and poorly done and the consumer is overcharged for the quality of the project. In some cases, only a base coat is applied and the promised top coat is skipped despite the consumer being charged for it. Because these crews are always on the go, there is little reason to suspect that they will remain in any particular area. If you wish to have your driveway properly resurfaced, contact local, trusted contractors and gather multiple bids. Never pay the full price of a project upfront. If you have been victimized by one of these transient teams, contact local law enforcement and report the incident to DATCP by filing a complaint on the DATCP website (http://datcp.wi.gov) or by contacting the Consumer Information Hotline at 1-800-422-7128 and requesting a complaint form by mail.
