Small asphalt paving crew

Homeowners, builders, small businesses, landlords, churches, and property managers who need a new or replaced surface.

Quoted price per job based on area, thickness and base work. Margin comes from accurate estimating, efficient crew days and good deals on hot mix.

• Experience on a paving or construction crew
• Estimating materials, tonnage and labor
• Managing a small team and schedules
• Operating or learning to operate compaction and grading equipment

• Many states and local areas require a contractor license for paving, so check with your state licensing board and county
• General liability and workers' compensation insurance, and possibly bonding for commercial or public work
• Heavy trucks and trailers may require a commercial driver license depending on weight, so check state rules
• Hot asphalt, heavy machinery and traffic are serious safety risks, so train your crew
• Stormwater and environmental rules may apply to some sites, and mistakes on thick jobs can be costly
• Work is seasonal in cold climates, and large equipment loans can put pressure on cash flow

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on whether you buy or rent equipment, your trucks and trailers, and your crew size. Large equipment loans can put pressure on cash flow.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the number and size of jobs, your crew and your pricing. These are estimates only, and work can be seasonal in cold climates.

Check with your state licensing board and county about contractor license requirements for paving. Also check general liability and workers' compensation insurance, possible bonding for commercial or public work, commercial driver license rules for heavy trucks, and stormwater rules.