If you own a business, you understand the value of maintaining your property. Good curb appeal through landscaping, signage, and paving shows that you value your operation and may help you attract future customers. You need to ensure that employees, visitors, and customers can safely park and won't have any issues. However, before hiring a paving company, it's important that you have every question you have about the process answered. So here are some questions you should ask your commercial parking lot paving contractor.
1. Why Should I Pave My Lot?
There are several reasons why you should take the time to enlist the services of a commercial parking lot paving contractor. Whenever you have a business, it's important to do what you can to reduce any liabilities inside and outside of the property. A paved surface is also safer, as any cracks or vulnerabilities have been resolved. With professional paving, you also increase the lifespan of your parking lot. Be sure to hire a company with decades of experience to ensure the project can be completed quickly and efficiently.
2. What Paving Materials Do You Work With?
When looking at paving companies for your business, it's important to learn about which material they'll work with and the benefits of using it. Many companies choose to focus their efforts on asphalt paving since it's more affordable and easy to maintain, install, and repair. According to Today's Homeowner, asphalt is safe to drive upon five days after the installation process and should be fully cured after three weeks. Before beginning the installation process, take the time to schedule estimates with paving companies within your area. This will help you learn more about the process, the potential cost, and the timeline for the project's completion.
3. Are You Licensed and Bonded?
It's important to ensure any contractor you hire has the legal qualifications to perform the work and protect you during the process. Your state or local region may have specific restrictions for contractors to undergo before they get their license and bonding. Their license has proved that they've undergone any necessary tests, apprenticeships, training, and safety concerns so that you'll have somebody working on your commercial property who knows what they're doing. Additionally, take the time to guarantee they're insured before hiring them to pave your parking lot. This will protect you from the costs associated with any accident or mistake made during the installation process.
4. How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of paving a parking lot can vary significantly. The final fee is typically based on the overall condition of your existing lot and how large the lot itself is. According to HomeGuide, asphalt will typically cost between $80 and $160 per square yard. Scheduling an estimate with a local paving company will help you understand the cost of the work needed for your property. To guarantee you're receiving a fair rate and dependable help, work with a company that's owner-operated.
5. How Long Will the Job Take?
Overall, you can expect your commercial parking lot paving project to last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks depending on the overall condition of the lot and the amount of asphalt needed. An experienced contractor can give you a general timeline to go on after performing an estimate, but it's important to understand that the process may end up taking longer. If issues arise during the installation process, it's imperative that they're properly dealt with before the project is completed. This will help to prolong the lifespan of your parking lot and help you avoid needing any additional repairs in the near future. Contact a paving company today to learn about how long it will take before the project can begin and to learn more about the timeframe associated with the work.
6. How Do I Prepare for Lot Paving?
Before a parking lot is paved over, it should be as clear as possible for contractors to get to work. Be sure to remove any debris from the area, have people park elsewhere, and deal with anything that may hinder the contractors as they attempt to pave the lot. You may also want to notify neighboring businesses that you’re having your parking lot paved over in case it creates any obstructions or noise that can affect them. Talk with the professionals at a local paving company to learn if there's anything additional that will need to be done prior to beginning the process. This helps to ensure that the work is completed properly.
7. How Do I Maintain the Lot?
With so many cars driving in and out of the same area, it's essential to do what you can to extend the life of the surface by having professionals seal coat the lot after the service has been completed and every couple of years afterward. According to The Spruce, an asphalt driveway should be sealed every two to three years. Once you seal the pavement, it's easy to maintain by making sure you sweep or blow away debris and dirt. If you see any cracks or holes developing in the pavement, don't hesitate to call the contractor back for repairs. The further you let cracks and holes go, the worse they'll become and create a safety liability for anybody that walks or drives on the surface.
8. What Can Cause Delays?
Sometimes delays can happen on a project that can drastically impact the contractors' ability to quickly finish the work. When it comes to parking lot paving, if there's inclement weather that can prevent the drying of the material, it may be best to wait until such weather has cleared up. That's why it's always best to do as much planning as possible so that your parking lot paving process can go off without a hitch. If any delays hinder the contractors' ability to complete the project, be sure to talk with the owner to develop a new plan. Dependable companies will have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee so you can be certain that the work will be completed to the high standards as possible.
9. Do You Have Commercial References?
It's always important to check references before hiring someone to do your commercial parking lot paving. Even if the contractor has done residential paving for driveways, you want to ensure they have commercial experience. After all, a commercial parking lot is much larger and has different permit requirements a contractor has to consider than a residential area. Taking the time to review the gallery of a paving company's previous work can help you understand the types of projects they have been able to complete and the quality of work they're able to produce. Contact the company today to learn more about the projects they're able to assist business owners with so you can feel confident in hiring them to improve your property.
If you want to ensure your company maintains a good reputation, curb appeal, and safety for anyone driving to or from the area, it's time to invest in commercial parking lot paving. With paving, you’ll have a beautiful surface that looks good from the outside, is safe to walk on, park on, drive on, and something that represents your company. Call A-One Asphalt Paving LLC today for more information.