Pavement Project Management – The national average for a residential asphalt driveway is $4,737. But if you run a commercial property, your charges will likely be much higher than that.
This is why it’s important to emphasize the best pavement project management principles throughout your pavement project. Doing so will ensure you get as much value for the money you put into this job as possible.
We’ve put together this article to help with that. So keep reading to find six tips for pavement project management that will take your project to the next level.
Find the right contractor
The first and perhaps most important step in managing your pavement project is finding the right contractor. Of course, the best fit for your job will depend on what it is and what your budget looks like, among other factors.
For example, if you have a large business lot in California to pave, then hiring a commercial paving company in Fairfield, CA will likely be your best bet.
Or maybe you have a residential driveway that needs a touch-up. In that case, working with an independent pavement contractor could help you reduce your costs while getting the necessary pavement work.
You’ll also want to check out online reviews to make sure that previous customers are happy with whatever contractor or company you end up deciding to use. 9 out of 10 consumers say that online reviews are just as important as personal recommendations, so make sure that you’re taking them seriously as well.
Invest in Upfront Testing
Pavement projects are big, expensive jobs. This can make it tempting to focus on completing the project for as low of a cost and in as little time as possible. But you shouldn’t ignore upfront testing to do that.
Conducting thorough surface reviews, borings, sampling, and testing will help to ensure that the pavement company you hire uses the best practices and materials for your specific location.
Sure, this will cost extra money and time upfront. But in the long run, it can help you avoid extremely costly repair issues and get as much lifespan out of the installed pavement. So the bottom line is that it’s absolutely worth paying for.
Know how long the pavement will last
It’s also important that you go into your project with an understanding of how long your pavement investment will last. That way, you understand the value you’re getting from the money you put into the project, and you don’t feel like you need to get it done for as little cash as possible.
The average asphalt lasts for about 25 years. Yours could last more or less than this, based on the nature of the project. Just know that you shouldn’t have to replace it entirely for multiple decades as long as you take good care of it.
Set up a regular maintenance plan
Regular maintenance is essential to getting as much lifespan out of the pavement you install as possible. Coming up with a good plan now will help you sleep better at night with the knowledge that you’re taking good care of your investment.
Certain types of preventative maintenance can go a long way toward helping you reach your goals with the pavement. This includes tasks like:
- Seal coating
- Line striping
- Minor patching
- And Minor crack fills
You’ll also want to correct any problems that arise quickly so that they aren’t able to impact other parts of your pavement. This includes issues like:
- Filling major cracks
- Sinkhole repairs
- Pothole repairs
- Spot mill & overlay
Plan for restorations well in advance
Another thing to keep in mind is that major restorations may be necessary once or twice during the lifespan of your asphalt. Experts say you should plan for a major restoration of well-traveled areas every ten years.
Pavement projects can be more expensive than you think. That’s why planning for these kinds of large-scale restorations well in advance is a good idea. That way, you don’t run into any budgeting issues when carrying them out.
If you’ve got a large patch of asphalt, such as a commercial parking lot, you may also want to consider phasing out the repairs over 1-2 years.
Consider spending more upfront for better results
Finally, it’s important to reiterate that you get what you pay for. You can try to complete your paving project for as little upfront capital as possible. But doing so won’t give you the best results.
You may end up needing to replace your pavement much faster if you don’t spend enough to allow your contractors to do the job correctly. Of course, there’s no reason to overspend, but try not to skip on important aspects of the project if you can – Pavement Project Management