New asphalt can dramatically improve both commercial and residential properties in many ways. It enhances curb appeal, improves safety, adds unmatched functionality and gives you a reliable driving surface that can last decades. But before you get stunning new asphalt paving, you need to get bids from Toronto paving contractors.
Bids are like formal offers from paving companies, covering the total price to complete your project. Getting quotes from multiple companies is wise, but how can you ensure you’re getting accurate and fair bids?
What Should I Consider Before Speaking with Paving Contractors?
It’s not necessary to be an expert on asphalt paving. You’re hiring a seasoned company, after all! However, it does pay to be familiar with the paving process and what your property needs.
Do some research to understand the type of paving you need, what thickness is best based on your intended use, what materials paving companies will use to construct your new surface and more. Paving contractors do the heavy lifting and will help to determine the best approach to fulfilling your needs.
However, having some general knowledge can make discussions with contractors much easier. You don’t have to be proficient in industry lingo, but a general understanding of what you’re looking for will take you far.
Is It Necessary to Speak with Multiple Paving Companies?
It’s always best practice to receive bids from several paving contractors before choosing the one you want to hire. You need to receive input from several paving contractors to better understand the costs involved with your project. You can compare the figures and consider the quality of work of every contractor you speak with.
The more bids you receive, the easier it becomes to spot outliers in either direction. For example, you might have multiple bids that are relatively close in price. However, one contractor might be far from competitors, indicating a higher risk of price-gouging or substandard work.
How Can I Compare My Paving Bids?
Before you choose the right asphalt paving company for your project, gather bids from several contractors. Provide the same information to each one to ensure bidding accuracy.
Include the same dimensions, thickness measurements, defined scope of work, etc. By providing the same information across the board, you can fairly compare what you’re getting from one paving company over another.
Specificity matters when getting bids for Toronto asphalt paving. One reason true costs can be higher than quoted costs is that contractors encounter unexpected issues or realize too late that they must perform other work to make your new asphalt paving possible. For example, your site may need more extensive excavation or prep work, elevating total costs.
With asphalt paving companies, you must be as specific as possible. Detail the project’s scope and include everything you need your contractor to do. Of course, you’re not a paving professional, so surprises can still arise. However, you should inquire about potential surprises and provide as many details as possible to ensure contractors can be precise when formulating their bids.
How Do I Know How Much Materials My Project Will Require?
Most of the costs involved with Toronto asphalt paving go to paying for materials. It’s the one line item that should remain relatively consistent across bids. It’s labor costs and other expenses that create the biggest differences. So, how much materials will your project need?
You don’t need exact figures. Paving contractors in Toronto will determine the amount of asphalt you’ll need, but having a rough estimate can help you get accurate bids.
First, determine how thick your pavement will be. Most residential driveways are only four to five inches thick. Meanwhile, commercial parking lots are seven to eight inches. Industrial paving can be 10 inches thick or more!
Most asphalt paving projects have 145 pounds of asphalt per cubic foot of coverage. With that knowledge in mind, here are several easy formulas to estimate the asphalt required.
Length(ft) X Width(ft) X Depth(ft) = Total Cubic Feet of Coverage
Now, multiply the total cubic feet of coverage by 145 pounds of asphalt. This equation will give you the amount of asphalt needed for your project in pounds. Divide that figure by 2,000, and you have the total tonnage of asphalt your asphalt paving company will need to purchase.
If you want to work with the best paving contractors in Toronto, turn to Seal Canada. We’re paving experts, offering a wide range of services to help you get and maintain top-quality pavement. Our services include new paving, sealcoating, crack repair, line striping, asphalt maintenance and more.
We treat your property with the respect it deserves and work hard to deliver lasting results. You can trust us with all your paving needs, no matter the size and scope of your project.
Call Seal Canada today to get a free quote. Our team is available 24/7 at (416) 827-5072. You can also reach us via email at dan@sealcanada.com or through our online contact form.
