Asphalt Paving Blog

5 Questions to Help You Budget Right for Your Asphalt Paving Project

So it’s the new year, and you’ve resolved to finally get that tattered blacktop fixed up outside your business. Great idea!

Now comes a not-so-great part: figuring out how to budget for your asphalt paving project. But don’t let that stop you. 

Here are five key questions to help you budget for smoother, safer pavement.

  1. What’s the condition of your existing asphalt?
    Are there cracks or potholes? They’re only going to get worse when water penetrates the surface and causes further damage from freezing and thawing.
    Do you see pooling water? Puddles are evidence of an uneven surface. And when the weather gets cold, those puddles freeze, creating a safety hazard for customers and employees and liabilities for your business.
    Is your blacktop sinking or shifting? The problem may not be the asphalt itself, but the sub-base underneath it.

    Maybe you just need some crack filling, patching or other minor repairs? Perhaps milling – removing and replacing only the top layer of asphalt – or an overlay will do the trick. Or do you need a complete repave installation with a sub-base stabilization?
  2. What about the soil underneath?
    The type of soil onto which fresh asphalt gets poured can affect the quote in a few different ways. 
    Some soils require more compaction – removal of excess air to make the base more stable. Other types require thicker asphalt on top.
  3. How will the surface be used?
    What kind of traffic do you expect on your blacktop? If it’s just for pedestrians, you probably need pavement that’s only a few inches thick. 
    But if you’ve got heavy trucks rolling over it, you’re going to need thicker asphalt to withstand the higher pressure from above.
  4. What type of asphalt do you need?
    Porous asphalt lets water seep through the material to the ground beneath, where it undergoes natural water cleansing processes. It’s the Environmental Protection Agency’s preferred paving method, and it may make your project eligible for tax credits.
    Cold mix asphalt is ideal for filling potholes in winter because it stays soft in cold temperatures, adheres well to the surface underneath and repels water.
    Hot mix asphalt is the most common asphalt, heated and poured at temperatures between 300 and 350 F.
    Customizations can help make each of these types just right for your project. For example, Wolf Paving manufactures more than 20 custom asphalt mixes at our three plants in Sun Prairie, Oconomowoc, and Menomonee Falls.
  5. How big or complex is your project?
    Is it a small parking lot for a dentist office, or a massive warehouse lot? 
    How much prep work will be required? 
    Even if your project is large and complex and you’re looking at a significant cost, keep in mind that you may be able to do a phased approach. And with expert installation and proper preventative maintenance – your blacktop should last you 20 to 30 years. 

Want some more help planning for your paving project? Download our free asphalt paving project planning guide now for more in-depth information.