How Chicago Hotels Can Benefit From Parking Lot Maintenance

Every year, millions of tourists and business travelers book hotel rooms in the Chicago area, and the competition among hotels can be fierce. Hotel managers are constantly looking for ways to attract new guests and encourage them to return. Managers may focus on the lobby décor, the comfort of the beds, the attention that staff members pay to guests, or the unique amenities that the hotel offers. However, if you are forgetting about your paving repairs and parking lot maintenance, you could be losing points for your hotel.

How Chicago Hotels Can Benefit From Parking Lot Maintenance

Why Does Parking Lot Maintenance Matter?

You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression, and the first thing that your guests normally see is your parking lot. This view can form the basis for an impression about your entire operation. An ugly,

dangerous parking lot can be interpreted as an expression of your lack of concern for your guests. They may think that this lack of concern extends to the safety and comfort of your rooms, and they may look for signs of confirmation, becoming a nightmare for your staff. When it is time for them to reserve another room, your hotel or chain may fall to the bottom of their list of acceptable choices. If these reasons are not sufficient motivation, consider the potential financial implications. When you neglect your parking lot maintenance, you virtually guarantee that you will encounter costly repairs more frequently, and your parking lot will need to be rebuilt far ahead of schedule.

What Should a Hotel Include in a Parking Lot Maintenance Program?

The first item on your list should be paving repairs. Have a reputable contractor perform asphalt crack sealing at least once every year, and every six months is better if your budget permits. If there are potholes in your parking lot, contact a commercial paving contractor to patch them. The second item on your list should be parking lot sealcoating. Asphalt sealcoating helps prevent cracks and other damage by blocking UV rays, slowing down the progress of automotive fluids and corrosive chemicals, and boosting the pavement’s waterproofing. Sealcoating also improves traction to make your parking lot safer, and it greatly enhances your pavement’s appearance. The third item should be your parking lot striping. Visible markings improve safety by reducing distractions, directing the flow of traffic, and clearly indicating where drivers should not park. Other routine maintenance tasks should include periodic sweepings, the removal of oil and other fluids that vehicles have leaked onto your pavement, and inspections to ensure that drains and gutters have not become clogged.

Are There Additional Tips for Maintaining a Hotel Parking Lot?

When ice and snow arrive, slippery pavements can make your parking lot a treacherous place. However, make sure that you only allow a qualified operator to plow your parking lot; an improperly set blade can inflict severe damage on an asphalt pavement. If you plan to use a chemical agent to melt ice, ask a contractor who specializes in asphalt paving services to recommend one that will not damage your pavement. You should also consider walking through your parking lot occasionally to see for yourself what issues are present so that you can address them immediately.

Let Black Hawk Paving Help

Black Hawk Paving specializes in the care of commercial pavements for customers in the Chicagoland area. We offer parking lot sealcoating, asphalt crack sealing, parking lot striping, asphalt repairs, asphalt paving, and asphalt milling & grinding. Our exemplary reputation is based on our commitment to superb craftsmanship, integrity, and extraordinary customer service. If you are interested in a free quote, you can call 773-378-2390, or you can submit our online form.

Do You Trust Your Asphalt Paving Company?

When it comes to commercial asphalt paving Chicago property managers have many companies from which to choose. They know that they need to find a contractor they can trust, but they may not know exactly how to accomplish that task. Fortunately, it is not all that difficult to find a trustworthy contractor if you know the right questions to ask.

What Is Your Level of Experience in the Asphalt Paving Industry?

You want to know how many years your contractor has worked in the industry, but you also want to know what experience the contractor has in handling projects that are similar to yours. For example, a contractor who has devoted his career to sealcoating residential driveways may not be the ideal candidate to handle the parking lot striping on a lot with spaces for 10,000 cars.

Are You Fully Insured?

Your parking lot maintenance contractor needs to have valid workers’ compensation, general liability, and vehicle liability policies. Every one of the company’s employees who will be working on your property should be covered on the workers’ comp policy to protect your financial interests if they suffer a job-related injury. The vehicle and general liability policies protect you from losses if your property, the vehicles in your parking lot, or nearby properties or vehicles are damaged by the contractor’s workers.

Can You Walk Me Through the Entire Asphalt Maintenance or Paving Procedure I Am Requesting?

Whether you need a parking lot repair, sealcoating, or striping, reputable paving contractors can explain the procedure in detail. Furthermore, trustworthy contractors will not attempt to baffle you with industry jargon, act annoyed by your questions, or treat you in a condescending manner. A great asphalt paving company will have enthusiastic representatives who enjoy educating their customers about their work.

Do You Offer Detailed Quotes in Writing?

When you need asphalt maintenance or paving, you want to collect quotes from at least three reputable contractors. However, unless the quotes show the brands and types of materials, the quantities of each material, the entire scope of the work, and a separate line item for labor, it will be difficult or impossible for you to conduct an accurate comparison. If a contractor considers a single number scribbled on the back of an envelope to be a written quote, move on to your next candidate.

Will You Provide Me With References?

Trustworthy asphalt contractors have references, and they are not hesitant to share them. Ask for references from previous customers for whom the contractor completed projects of a similar nature and scope to your own. Call these references to learn about the quality of the contractor’s work. Ask about the contractor’s dependability and professionalism. If possible, drive by two or three sites to see examples of the contractor’s work for yourself.

What Can You Tell Me About Your Staffing for Pavement Maintenance Jobs?

Good asphalt contractors have trained, experienced employees who possess the necessary skills to complete your job successfully. They will also employ enough people to ensure that the job will be completed efficiently. Ask specifically about the qualifications of the contractor’s team members who will be handling your job. Although the roster may not be finalized for your particular project, your contractor should at least know the experience, training, and skills of the team likely to be assigned to your project. For example, the contractor should be able to tell you that the company’s milling machine operators have between 10 and 20 years of experience.

To Make Things Easier on Yourself, Just Contact Black Hawk Paving

For almost half a century, Black Hawk Paving has been known as a trustworthy asphalt company with a deep commitment to consistently delivering exceptional work to commercial clients throughout Chicagoland. We offer a variety of asphalt paving and maintenance services, including sealcoating, parking lot striping, crack repairs, asphalt patching, and asphalt milling. You can request a free quote by completing the online form. If you prefer, you can call 708-479-0400 to reach our Mokena office.