Asphalt driveway and small parking lot paving

Homeowners with worn gravel or cracked driveways, small businesses, churches, landlords and property managers needing small lots resurfaced.

Fixed price per job based on square footage and asphalt thickness, with add-ons like patching, edging or sealcoating. Repeat work comes from property managers and referrals.

• Heavy physical work outdoors
• Estimating tonnage and costs accurately
• Coordinating timing with the asphalt plant and crew
• Quoting and selling to property managers

• Contractor license and bond rules vary by state, check your state licensing board
• General liability, commercial auto and workers' compensation once you hire
• Asphalt is time and temperature sensitive, a late truck or cold weather can ruin a job
• Larger commercial jobs may need permits, prevailing wage rules or bonding, check before bidding
• Equipment is costly, avoid taking on debt before you have steady work

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on whether you rent or buy rollers and pavers, your vehicle and your insurance. Equipment is costly, so avoid taking on debt before you have steady work.

Contractor license and bond rules vary by state, so check your state licensing board. Larger commercial jobs may need permits, prevailing wage rules or bonding, so check before bidding. Also look at general liability, commercial auto and workers' compensation once you hire.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on job sizes, season and crew. Plan on at least about 30 hours a week. Asphalt is time and temperature sensitive, so a late truck or cold weather can ruin a job.