How to Get the Best Deal on Asphalt for Your Next Project

Asphalt is one of the most affordable and cost-efficient paving choices. When an asphalt road, parking lot or other surface is properly paved, and the correct maintenance techniques are followed, asphalt is capable of lasting for decades.

Installed correctly, asphalt may be less visible to everyday users than other aspects of a construction project. Yet its functional role is crucial to the safety and overall impression of users, whether you’re building a road, a parking lot or a driveway. Potholes, cracks or poor grading creates a negative, and possibly unsafe, experience for customers, guests, residents and other users.

Ensuring a high quality asphalt installation is important to the project’s end result. Finding a balance between cost and value within the project’s budget, and determining how to get the most bang for your buck, are often key parts of project planning.

So what factors affect the cost of asphalt, and how can you be sure you’re getting the best deal and value?

Tonnage: How Much Asphalt Do You Need?

To determine how much asphalt you need for your project, begin with the length, width and depth of the prepared site. With this minimal information, tools like Basic Construction’s Asphalt Calculator can estimate the amount of materials needed (in tons) based on a standard mix density of 148 pounds per cubic foot. While densities will vary between mixes, this value is a standard rule-of-thumb for estimating purposes. For very large projects, reduced bulk rates may be available.

Transportation Costs: How Far is the Project Site from the Asphalt Production Facility?

The costs to transport asphalt from the production facility to the project site are a factor in cost estimating, and are also impacted by the type of asphalt needed (hot mix versus warm mix will make a difference in transport options).

Some suppliers make their own asphalt, while others combine materials from different locations. An ideal supplier will own and operate their own asphalt plant, and use their own materials to make the asphalt. This will ensure you always get consistent and high quality products, as well as the best prices.

Material Type: Will Your Project Use Hot Mix, Warm Mix, Porous or Recycled Asphalt?

Costs vary between the many different types of asphalt materials, which include hot mix, warm mix, porous and recycled. (Read more about how these products differ in our earlier post, “4 Skills That Are Unique to Asphalt Installation Experts.”) It is in your best interests to find a supplier that offers a variety of asphalts and can provide you with advice and recommendations for your project.

Market Factors 

Larger factors such as environmental regulations, construction activity and crude oil prices, as well as global and local/regional economies, also impact the pricing for asphalt.

To get the best deal on asphalt for your next project, contact a reputable asphalt contractor to discuss your unique project needs and request a specific project estimate. For a consultation and estimate from Basic Construction, call us at (757) 249-3789.

For resources to help select a paving material for your project, and to estimate your project right the first time, download Basic Construction’s free ebooks:

• Tips for Estimating Your Project Right the First Time
• Choosing the Best Material for Your Commercial Asphalt Job