Considering Paving Your Parking Lot? Tips to Help You Decide
If you've recently acquired a commercial space with a dirt or gravel parking area, you might be thinking about whether or not you should pave it. Asphalt paving can be a great investment in some cases, but many people are unfamiliar with the process and its benefits. If this sounds like you, you are not alone. If you want to make an informed decision about paving your parking area, there are some things you should understand. Here's a look at a few things you need to know about asphalt paving.
Why Should You Pave Your Parking Lot?
You might wonder if it's even worth considering asphalt paving. After all, it's going to be a significant project. The truth is that asphalt paving is a great choice for many commercial spaces, and for good reason.
First, asphalt paving creates a smooth, clean, safe surface in your parking area. You won't have to worry about gravel being kicked up by tires or potholes forming in the dirt. Instead, you'll have a smooth parking surface where you can even clearly paint defined lines for parking spaces and travel lanes.
Additionally, asphalt reduces your liability risks as well. If someone twists their ankle on your gravel parking lot, it could stand to reason that you should have known that was a potential hazard and you didn't take steps to correct it. Eliminate that possibility by having your parking lot paved with asphalt instead.
How Long Does It Take to Pave a Parking Lot?
The process of paving can be a significant one, especially if you need to build a solid foundation first. While every project's timeline is different, you can expect your parking lot paving process to take a few days to a week in most cases. For specific ideas of how long it might take, have an asphalt paving contractor come out and evaluate your lot.
They'll be able to tell you roughly how long you can expect the job to take based on the soil stability and structure, the size of the parking lot, and any obstructions that they need to work around, such as trees, shrubs, or medians.
Is Paving a Parking Lot Expensive?
The cost to pave your parking lot will vary based on many factors. You'll be charged by the square foot in most situations, so the larger your parking lot is, the more your paving costs will be. You'll also find that the cost will vary based on the asphalt mixture that you want, the sealcoating that you include, and any foundation preparation that needs to be done.
Your asphalt paving contractor can provide you with a detailed estimate of the costs to help you understand exactly what factors into your project pricing. Talk with a contractor near you today for the details.