So, I've got sorta mixed feelings on this. I dont have a major problem IF; you agree to 0.75" of asphalt and they give you 0.75". I dont disagree with "4 in compacted base, and 1.25" of hot mix aspahlt", if that's what you get. Morally, there is a bit of question on whether a contractor (in theory the expert) advise a person on what they need. I understand there is a 5 year kinda fix, and if you Want the 5 year fix and want to pay for the 5 year kinda work; good on you. My real issue, you pay for a 15/20 year kinda job, and the contractor shorts you on material/compaction/finish.
The general public (and frankly much of the not so general public) have Zero knowledge of site work, paving, ect.
For anyone who reads any of this; do 15 minutes of research, and have a dang contract, even if it's a 1 page, carbon copy, that says how many square feet or yards, thickness of material, and total job cost.