A BETTER BRIEF
Planning your asphalt paving project
Define the area and intended use
Describe a driveway, parking area or path, its approximate dimensions, current surface and vehicle use. Mention standing water, repeated cracking, settlement or an uneven transition at a garage. Photographs and a site visit help the contractor assess the condition rather than quote from area alone.
Ask about the base and drainage
Request a written explanation of removal, base preparation, grading and compaction. Ask why an overlay or reconstruction is recommended, and how drainage will be addressed. Avoid treating a fresh surface as proof that an underlying problem has been solved.
Agree on access and handover
Confirm boundaries, edges, transitions, cleanup and disposal. Ask how weather affects the schedule, when the surface can be used, and which maintenance instructions apply. Changes near a boulevard, curb or public access should be checked with the municipality before work begins.
Jobs to describe in your request
- Driveway paving
- Asphalt repair
- Resurfacing
- Parking-area paving
What changes the cost?
Use these factors to compare the scope of proposals. A total price alone does not show whether the same work is included.
- Area and vehicle use
- Existing base condition
- Grading and drainage
- Removal and access
Ask for a written description of included work, exclusions, payment stages and how additional work is authorized. Confirm who supplies materials and what documentation or warranty terms you receive at completion.