You are looking at your parking lot in Colorado Springs. Maybe it has cracks, or some potholes, or it just looks old. You are thinking it is time for a new start with a new paved surface. This new surface will make your property look better as well as work better. That is a smart idea. But here is what we have seen over the years in Colorado Springs. People often start these projects without really knowing what they are getting into. This can lead to some very expensive problems later on.
As a local contractor here in Colorado Springs, Primetime Paving Co has seen many things. We deal with the large clay soils in parts of town. These soils can swell as well as shrink a lot. We also have brutal freeze-thaw cycles that really damage asphalt. There are unique challenges for Asphalt Paving here in Colorado Springs. You cannot just pave like you are in another state. So, we will talk about the most common mistakes we see property owners make. These mistakes happen when they are planning or hiring for a Parking Lot Paving project in Colorado Springs.
Mistake #1: Skipping the Subgrade Assessment
This is probably the biggest mistake. It is also the most costly mistake you can make for your Parking Lot Paving in Colorado Springs. Your parking lot's foundation is called the subgrade. The subgrade is everything. It is like building a house on sand. Here in Colorado Springs, we have many different soil conditions. Some areas have solid, rocky ground. But if you go east, you are often dealing with expansive clay soils.
These clay soils take in water and swell up. Then they shrink when they dry out. This constant movement puts a lot of stress on any pavement above it. This leads to cracks as well as heaving within just a few years. This happens if the subgrade is not handled right. A good contractor, like us at Primetime Paving Co, will always insist on a thorough Subgrade Assessment for your Parking Lot Paving project. We need to know what is underneath before we lay any asphalt. If someone is ready to pave without even looking at your soil, that is a big red flag. They are paving over a problem. They are not fixing it. You will pay for this later in Colorado Springs.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Drainage (or Not Planning for It Properly)
Water is the number one enemy for asphalt. This is especially true with our strong afternoon thunderstorms as well as snowmelt here in Colorado Springs. If your parking lot does not drain properly, water will pool. It will also seep into cracks. Then it will freeze and expand when temperatures drop. This freeze-thaw cycle happens over 40 times a year in our Colorado Springs region. This cycle is what really damages pavement.
Primetime Paving Co has seen many parking lots where people just paved a flat surface. They thought it would be fine. But without the right slope as well as drainage solutions, you will have problems. These solutions include things like catch basins or proper grading. You are setting yourself up for potholes as well as alligator cracking. You are also setting yourself up for early failure of your Parking Lot Paving. Make sure your contractor has a clear plan for how water will be directed away from your new lot in Colorado Springs. If they do not bring this up, you should ask about it.
Mistake #3: Going for the Cheapest Bid Without Asking Questions
We understand that everyone wants to save money. But when it comes to something as important as a Parking Lot Paving project in Colorado Springs, the cheapest bid is usually not the best. We are not saying you should not get multiple quotes. You absolutely should get multiple quotes. But you need to compare them fairly.
A very low bid often means corners are being cut. Maybe they are using thinner asphalt. They might use less base material. They could also be skipping important steps like proper compaction as well as subgrade preparation. These shortcuts might save you money at first. But they will cost you much more in repairs later on. Ask what materials they are using for your Parking Lot Paving. Ask how thick the asphalt layers will be. Also ask what kind of base preparation they include. If they cannot give you clear answers, or if their quote is just a single number with no details, you should not hire them for your Colorado Springs project.
Mistake #4: Hiring Unlicensed, Uninsured, or Unreputable Contractors
This is a very important mistake. It is about protecting yourself for your Parking Lot Paving project. Always make sure your contractor is properly licensed as well as insured. If they are not, and something goes wrong, you could be responsible. A worker might get hurt. Your property might get damaged. That is a risk you cannot afford to take in Colorado Springs.
Beyond that, look for warning signs. Contractors who ask for 100% payment upfront are a problem. A deposit is normal, but not the whole amount. Also watch out for those who show up without an appointment offering "leftover asphalt" from another job. This is a common scam. Companies that cannot provide references or proof of local work are also a concern. A good company will be open about things. They will have a physical local address in Colorado Springs. They will be happy to show you their work as well as their credentials. If their customer service is slow to respond or vague, that is also a bad sign of what is to come.
Mistake #5: Not Considering the Right Time of Year
You might think Paving can happen anytime. But timing is important, especially here in Colorado Springs. Asphalt can technically be laid all year round. But the best results come from paving between late spring and early fall. This is usually from April to mid-October. Asphalt needs steady, warm temperatures to compact as well as cure correctly.
Trying to pave when it is too cold means the asphalt cools too quickly. This makes it harder to compact correctly. It can also lead to a weaker, less durable surface for your Parking Lot Paving. You should not pave in the snow or on frozen ground. Even spring can be difficult with our unpredictable Colorado Springs weather. So, planning ahead is important for your Parking Lot Paving project.
A new Parking Lot is a big investment. You want it to last a long time in Colorado Springs. By avoiding these common mistakes, you will make sure your project is done right the first time. This will save you problems as well as money later on. If you have questions about Parking Lot Paving, do not hesitate to reach out to a local expert. Primetime Paving Co is here to help you in Colorado Springs.