When planning any type of construction project, it is always a good idea to solicit bids from multiple contractors, and this includes asphalt paving projects. Once you have collected all the bids, however, you need to compare them carefully. If you only compare the totals, you could wind up paying for services that you thought were included, but your contractor did not agree. You could also end up with an inferior pavement that might need numerous expensive repairs, or your pavement could have an abbreviated life.
What Should an Asphalt Paving Bid Look Like?
First of all, your paving company should provide an itemized bid that includes all the details you need to make an informed decision. Although it may sound counterintuitive, the more details that asphalt paving companies include in their bids, the easier it is for you to compare them. The type of project will influence the details that paving contractors include in their bids. For example, you can expect that quotes for a parking lot asphalt pavement overlay will not be identical to quotes to construct a new parking lot. However, regardless of the specific commercial asphalt paving project you need, each bid should contain numerous line items that provide you with all the relevant information required for comparison.
What Should a Paving Bid Include?
When preparing bids for asphalt paving in Chicago, most contractors use a template to ensure that they do not overlook anything. That said, they do not all use the same template, so there may be some differences in the format. For example, some line items may be listed first on some bids and last on others. However, commercial asphalt paving bids typically contain all or most of the following information.
1. Asphalt Type: Asphalt mixes are available in various types at various prices. Some types are considered general use, others are porous, and some contain different percentages of reclaimed asphalt.
2. Asphalt Thickness: The goal is to make the thickness of the asphalt sufficient to support the expected loads without making it so thick that it wastes money. Therefore, parking lot asphalt paving in Chicago could be less than three inches thick, or it could be closer to eight inches. An asphalt pavement overlay is typically about two inches thick. These numbers represent the thickness after compaction.
3. Asphalt Requirements: This is a calculation that includes the pavement’s length, width, and asphalt thickness. Normally, amount of asphalt required for the project is expressed in either cubic yards or tons.
4. Base: Although asphalt pavements can be installed without a base, most commercial asphalt paving projects benefit from the construction of a base. This lends strength to the pavement.
5. Labor: Ideally, this should be shown as both the total labor hours and the total labor cost. If the paving company includes the total labor hours, this is usually the information to compare first.
6. Overruns: This tells you how overruns will be handled if the contractor encounters an unexpected expense after work begins. If the quote includes a provision for overruns, most asphalt paving companies express it as a percentage of the project’s total cost.
7. Incidentals: This category includes all charges that do not fit within another category. For example, an incidental expense could be labeled as permits, demolition of an existing pavement, mobilization expenses, or hauling fees.
If you need superior commercial asphalt paving services in Chicago, contact Black Hawk Paving. We offer a full range of asphalt and concrete paving services, including asphalt pavement overlays, asphalt paving, asphalt sealcoating, concrete flatwork, asphalt milling, concrete curbing, parking lot car stops, asphalt repairs, asphalt fabric, parking lot striping, excavations, hot crack sealing, pavement markings, traffic signs, and sewer repair. We serve local business and municipalities as well as national clients. Our stellar reputation is based on our exemplary service, exceptional craftsmanship, and professional integrity. To request a free job quote, submit the online form, or you can email your information to Info@BlackHawkPaving.com. If you prefer to call us, you can reach our Mokena office at 708-479-0400, or you can call our Chicago branch at 773-378-2390.
