Asphalt is one of the most common paving options—thanks to its affordability, as well as cost-efficiency in installation. A properly installed and maintained asphalt pavement can last for many years.
Making sure that you have a professional and high-quality asphalt pavement installation is essential for the longevity of your pavement. And, finding the perfect balance between the value and cost of your project, and how to get the best value for your money are essential when planning an asphalt paving project.
Thus, knowing how to calculate the cost of asphalt pavement is essential; as it will help you to set a budget for your project and help you get the best deal and value for your money. Below we list the top 5 pro tips to follow when calculating the cost of your asphalt pavement.
Calculate the total square footage of the area to be paved
This is the first thing to consider when calculating the cost of installing an asphalt pavement. If the pavement is long and wide, it will require a substantial amount of base material, time, labor, and asphalt. Also, the depth of the site is an essential factor that determines the cost.
Today, various online tools can help you estimate the number of materials needed—and this can go a long way to assist you when calculating the cost. However, you should make the estimates about a standard mix of 148 lbs. per cubic foot.
While densities can vary between various asphalt mixes, the indicated value is a standard value used for estimation purposes. However, there are reduced bulk rates available for substantially larger projects.
Transportation costs
So, you will need to determine the distance between the asphalt production plant and the project site. The cost of transporting the asphalt from the production plant to the project site is an essential factor when calculating the cost of the pacing project.
Certain asphalt paving contractors have the machines to mix their asphalt, while others combine materials from various locations. Reputable asphalt suppliers own and run their asphalt plants. Besides, they make the asphalt using their materials. This is crucial, as it ensures you get quality and consistent materials, as well as pocket-friendly prices.
Type of paving material
The Florida asphalt paving experts from ABC Paving say that there are different types of asphalt materials that you can use for your paving project. These materials include hot mix, warm mix, recycles, or porous asphalt. And, you should note that each of these materials has its cost. Therefore, you must find an asphalt supplier who provides different types of asphalt materials as they can give you valuable advice and recommend the best material for your project. Now, you can use the material when calculating the cost of the entire project.
The thickness of the asphalt depending on load requirements
In the majority of paving projects, most contractors recommend a depth of 4 inches. However, choosing a full depth of 5 – 6 inches of asphalt guarantees a strong and stable pavement, ideal for supporting different load requirements and climates.
Other contractors will use 6 – 8 inches of compacted aggregate or gravel as the base, and then lay 3 inches of asphalt. That’s why it’s much cheaper to install an asphalt parking lot than an asphalt driveway. All-in-all, the larger the surface area, the lower the price per square foot. If your driveway will be handling heavy loads, you will need a thicker layer of asphalt, which will increase your budget.
The shape of the driveway
Most residential driveways have rectangular driveways. However, other homeowners prefer rounded, arched, or curved driveway. Such driveways have a much complicated and time-consuming process—and this is something that can increase the overall cost of the paving project.
Bonus tip: Permit requirements
If pavement joins a public road, it should be installed in a manner that satisfies the set requirement by the local authorities. In such cases, permits are mandatory, and you might need to make changes to your plan to meet the set standards. Changes in your current plan and permit requirements can increase the cost of your project—and you need to include the amount in your budget. If the paving project doesn’t need any permits, the cost of your project will be much cheaper.
Bottom Line
It’s irrefutable that most people like asphalt paved pavements. However, before starting your asphalt paving project, you need to set a budget. Make sure that you capture every detail that can affect the cost of your project. However, you shouldn’t worry about larger factors like crude oil prices and construction activity, among others, since your contractor will capture them when giving you a quote. All in all, you need to consult a professional asphalt paving contractor if you are working on a tight budget—this will help you to maximize quality and minimize cost.
