A long-lasting asphalt surface starts well before the first load of asphalt reaches the site. New construction asphalt services cover the ground-up planning, preparation, and paving of a previously unpaved property. Depending on the traffic demands and local climate conditions, new asphalt paving projects may include pavement design, grading, drainage, and subgrade services.
Encore Pavement brings experience serving commercial, industrial, and municipal projects across Kansas and Missouri. This guide covers what services new asphalt construction includes, how the paving process works, and what to look for when choosing an asphalt paving contractor.
What New Asphalt Construction Services Include
Unlike repairs, resurfacing, or overlays, asphalt paving for new construction builds the pavement structure from the ground up. Services include subgrade evaluation, grading and drainage coordination, aggregate base installation, paving, compaction, and post-paving work. The exact scope depends on site conditions, traffic, project specifications, and intended use.
New Asphalt Construction Scope
A typical commercial asphalt paving project may include:
- Site and subgrade evaluation: Assess the conditions supporting the pavement.
- Grading and drainage coordination: Establish proper elevations and drainage.
- Aggregate base installation and compaction: Prepare the pavement foundation.
- Binder or intermediate course: Add an asphalt layer when specified.
- Surface-course paving and compaction: Place and compact the hot-mix asphalt surface.
- Post-paving coordination: Complete finishing work, including parking lot striping and pavement markings.
Asphalt or Concrete for New Construction?
A passenger-vehicle parking lot may require a different pavement section than an industrial or heavy-truck yard. Property managers should factor in pavement thickness and base depth into project conditions and material requirements rather than a generic standard.
Asphalt is often practical for commercial parking areas because of its installation speed, initial cost, and flexibility. Concrete is typically better for heavy, concentrated loads or specific operational needs. Some commercial sites use both materials based on the application. Encore Pavement provides concrete services where concrete is the better fit.
The New Construction Asphalt Process, Start to Finish
New construction asphalt paving starts with site planning and ends with paving, striping, and maintenance planning.
Step 1: Site Assessment, Grading and Pavement Design
Before grading, the contractor should review plans, grades, drainage, soil, traffic, and project requirements. These factors, along with climate and specifications, help determine pavement and base design.
Step 2: Subgrade Preparation and Base Installation
An asphalt paving contractor will grade and compact the subgrade. A quality control test known as proof-rolling helps identify soft areas that may need correction. Aggregate base is then installed and compacted in specified lifts, with testing and documentation used to verify project requirements.
Step 3: Asphalt Paving and Compaction
Hot-mix asphalt is placed and compacted at the proper working temperature, in one or more lifts as specified. Density depends on coordinated paving, rolling, timing, temperature, and lift thickness. Large sites also require sequencing around traffic and drainage.
Step 4: Finishing, Striping and Maintenance Planning
Once the pavement is ready for traffic, parking lot striping is applied in accordance with your property’s accessibility and safety requirements. Asphalt sealcoating is applied later, after the new asphalt has had time to cure.
How to Choose an Asphalt Paving Contractor for New Construction
Property owners, developers, GCs, and facility managers should compare contractors based on their planning, technical knowledge, quality control, and relevant commercial experience. The lowest bid is not always the best value, so compare what each contractor includes. Regional experience also matters as soil, climate, freeze-thaw conditions, and construction practices vary across markets.
What to Ask Before Signing a Contract
Ask these five questions before choosing an asphalt paving contractor:
- Will you review the civil plans before grading? Look for early review of drainage, grading, subgrade, and pavement design.
- How did you determine the pavement section? The answer should account for traffic, soil, climate, and project requirements.
- How will you verify compaction and quality? Ask about testing and documentation.
- What asphalt mix will you use? Confirm the mix, supplier, and project specifications.
- How will you coordinate other site work? Paving must align with drainage, striping, access, and other trades.
Red Flags in New Construction Asphalt Bids
Watch for these three red flags:
- No site visit or plan review: The contractor should understand the site before pricing the work.
- No clear pavement or material specifications: Price per square foot alone does not define the full project scope.
- No relevant experience: Ask for comparable commercial or new construction projects and references.
Plan Your New Construction Paving Project
Good pavement starts with the right plan. Contact Encore Pavement to discuss our new construction asphalt services for your commercial, industrial, or municipal project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do new construction asphalt services include?
New construction asphalt services typically include subgrade preparation, aggregate base installation, asphalt paving and compaction, and finishing work such as striping. Unlike resurfacing, crews build the pavement structure from the ground up, making soil conditions and drainage key considerations.
How thick should asphalt be for a new commercial parking lot?
No single thickness works for every commercial asphalt paving project. Asphalt paving contractors should determine asphalt and base depth based on subgrade strength, traffic loads, climate, and project specifications. Heavier-use sites often require thicker pavement.
Does new construction asphalt require milling?
Usually, no. Asphalt milling removes existing pavement, so contractors typically use it for rehabilitation or resurfacing rather than new construction on an unpaved site.
When can you drive on new asphalt after paving?
New asphalt needs time to cool and stabilize before traffic returns. Weather, pavement conditions, vehicle loads, and project requirements affect timing, so follow your paving contractor’s reopening guidance.
How long does new construction asphalt last?
Pavement design, drainage, traffic, installation quality, climate, and maintenance all affect service life. A stable base, proper drainage, quality installation, and ongoing maintenance can help asphalt perform for many years before requiring rehabilitation.
Should a paving contractor get involved before grading starts?
Yes. Early contractor involvement can uncover drainage, grading, subgrade, and pavement-design concerns before they lead to costly corrections.
