Earle American

Pavement restoration is an important part of keeping your business safe and appealing to customers. While vital, large-scale projects like this are expensive, time-consuming, and can interfere with your operations. Careful preparation is required in order to control costs and minimize downtime. With Earle American, get tips and advice on asphalt parking lot paving preparation to help you get the most satisfaction out of your large-scale project.

Key Takeaways

• Careful preparation can help reduce project costs, minimize downtime, and ensure a smooth pavement restoration with few interruptions.
• Phase pavement projects to ensure that customers and employees have parking lot access for as much of the project duration as possible.
• Schedule during the late spring or early fall to reduce weather-related delays and extreme temperatures that might affect asphalt curing.
• Communicate with employees and customers to set expectations, prevent surprises, and keep everyone safe while the project is ongoing.

Start With a Site Evaluation

Before any asphalt paving project begins, schedule a detailed on-site evaluation. We will send one of our professional estimators to check your site and provide a thorough consultation. Factors we take into consideration when providing an estimate include:

• Pavement condition
• Grading or drainage issues
• Entrance and exit points
• Traffic flow patterns
• Expected usage

The evaluation will determine what level of repairs are appropriate, whether your parking lot needs resurfacing, asphalt milling, or full-depth paving. We will also provide an accurate estimate to help you understand the project cost and prepare accordingly.

Scheduling Your Project

Next, it’s time to choose a date. Scheduling a commercial paving project, especially a large one, is more involved than simply picking a date on the calendar. You have to plan around your business income, customer access, and the seasons. Here are some factors to consider:

• Weather: Late spring and early fall are the best seasons for asphalt curing. Schedule accordingly to avoid weather-based delays and ensure a quick project turnaround.
• Phasing: By dividing large projects into phases, you can split the expenses between fiscal periods while also keeping sections of the parking lot accessible.

By keeping both of these in mind, you can reduce disruptions and make sure that your paving project is finished efficiently.

Ensure Parking Lot Accessibility

As your project date approaches, make sure that our crews will have complete access to your parking lot. Perform a thorough assessment of the lot and remove any debris or other large obstacles that will get in the way of paving equipment. If there is an obstacle that you can’t move, such as a low-hanging overhead wire, then inform your paving company ahead of time. We’ll communicate with you while working out a solution.

You should also make sure you have the necessary permits. Most municipalities require a permit for large construction projects, including paving. By getting your paperwork in order ahead of time, you prevent fines, delays, and other costs associated with improper permitting.

Communicate With Your Employees

Finally, communicate your plans with everyone who will be affected. This includes employees, customers, tenants, and anyone else who uses the parking lot. Effective communication will prevent surprises, uphold your business reputation, and keep everybody safe. Methods to use when informing people about the paving project include:

• Emails
• Phone calls
• Printed memos
• Detailed signage

When communicating, make sure to be clear about project details. Tell parking lot users when the project is scheduled to begin, how long it is expected to take, and what it means for them. If you will have to close an entrance or reroute traffic patterns, for example, then provide information about alternative access ahead of time so that people know where they can drive and park.

FAQs About Parking Lot Paving Preparation

Can commercial paving work be phased?

Yes, commercial paving work is often broken into phases. Phased projects let you divide costs between fiscal periods, and they also reduce or eliminate business downtime by keeping part of your parking lot available for use at all times.

What should happen before crews arrive on site?

Before crews arrive on site, make sure they have everything they need to start work without interruptions. Assess the site thoroughly, remove any debris or obstacles that might get in the way of paving, and make sure that you have all the necessary permits.

When is the best time to schedule commercial paving projects?

The best seasons for commercial paving projects are late spring and early fall. These periods avoid extreme temperatures, which can interfere with asphalt curing. By planning accordingly, you reduce wait times and ensure a long-lasting pavement surface.