How To Plan For Your Commercial Parking Lot Paving Project
To the uninitiated, all commercial parking lot paving projects appear to be the same. However, not all parking lots are created equal, and it takes considerable planning to build one that successfully serves a business for decades to come. How do you plan a commercial paving plan to ensure success? Read on to find out.
Why Do Paving Contractors Spend Time Defining a Project’s Needs?
Parking lot paving is more complex than it looks. Although it all features a glossy black finish, commercial asphalt paving can vary in thickness and utilize different asphalt mixes. Before beginning your commercial paving project, you must define how you intend to use the surface. Doing so allows commercial asphalt paving companies to engineer your parking lot for optimal results.
Define the types of traffic your commercial parking lot will receive. Do you expect nothing but simple passenger vehicles, or will your parking lot also accommodate heavy-duty vehicles? What traffic volume do you expect, and how many stalls will be available to visitors?
Answer those questions and more to define the scope of your parking lot paving project. Not only will that help contractors with the engineering phase, but it can also prevent scope creep and unexpected costs.
Should I Perfect the Design of My Parking Lot Before Proceeding with Asphalt Paving?
Always create the design for your parking lot before proceeding with any excavation or paving. Chicago parking lot paving projects require a complete understanding of the final design. Teams need to understand how much land to prepare, where your parking lot will connect to public thoroughfares, and more.
No matter the shape and size of your parking lot, commercial asphalt paving companies can help you create a well-optimized design that prioritizes safety, traffic efficiency, and accessibility. Work closely with them to develop a design that aligns with your business needs and the overall purpose of your future parking lot.
How Important is Code Compliance to a Commercial Paving Project?
Code compliance is not something you can afford to ignore. All Chicago parking lot paving projects must comply with numerous federal, state, and local regulations. These code requirements and guidelines exist to protect the public at large and your investment.
Commercial asphalt paving companies should take time to apply for all relevant permits while engineering and constructing their commercial parking lot in accordance with all laws.
Ignoring code requirements will cost you. In addition to ongoing penalties, failing to meet regulatory requirements could result in stop-work orders, costly delays, and even legal troubles.
Can I Prepare for Future Maintenance When Planning a Parking Lot Paving Project?
Your commercial asphalt paving will require ongoing care. While many assume that maintenance is something you don’t have to worry about until much later, you can be proactive about caring for your pavement.
Commercial asphalt paving companies will take every measure to mitigate the risk of future damage, particularly during the engineering, site preparation, and sub-base construction processes. However, you can also take things further.
Consider how the design of your commercial parking lot will impact future maintenance tasks, such as sealcoating. You can also design your parking lot with drainage in mind, incorporating catch basins and other infrastructure to minimize the risk of early damage.
What’s the Last Step of a Commercial Project?
The last step in a commercial parking lot paving project is striping. Striping is what turns expansive empty pavement into a functional parking lot. During the design phase, you’ll work with commercial asphalt paving companies to create a layout that’s functional and safe.
After your parking lot paving is laid, compacted, and cured, teams can proceed with striping and markings. Think beyond the basics and implement additional features that may benefit visitors. For example, marked crossing zones, directional arrows, fire lanes, accessible striping, and more will ensure your parking lot operates safely and efficiently.
Let Black Hawk Paving handle your Chicago parking lot paving needs. We bring over five decades of experience to your project. Our team is well-versed in everything from code compliance to planning. We apply our skills to benefit you, executing projects to perfection and delivering results that support your business.
Black Hawk Paving offers many services, including asphalt paving, repairs, sealcoating, concrete flatwork, curbing, car stops, signage, striping, excavation, and more.
We also provide free, no-obligation quotes. Get yours today by calling Black Hawk Paving at (708)578-7434. You can also email us at info@blackhawkpaving.com or use our online form.
