Property Managers: Asphalt Budget Needs
Property Managers: Asphalt Budget Needs
When the leaves change color in the fall, property managers know that it is time to turn their attention to the next year’s budget. Some of them spend weeks poring over expense histories, asking department heads for their projections or securing estimates from vendors. Most line items are not particularly difficult to allocate, but the budget for maintaining asphalt pavement can sometimes be a stumbling block.
Property Managers: Asphalt Budget Needs
For example, you may know that the best way to secure the maximum return on your investment in asphalt pavement is to make sure that it is adequately maintained. However, not every maintenance procedure is requiring annually, and there are usually a few that only arise every few years. How, then, can you accurately predict how much you will need?
If you are struggling to decide on a budget for maintaining your pavement, you are not alone. Many people find the area of asphalt paving and maintenance one of the most challenging to predict. These suggestions may help you craft an adequate, accurate budget.
1. Determine your pavement’s current status. Walk around your property and look for issues.
• Has the color faded? Sealcoating can bring it back, and it can help protect your pavement from damage at the same time.
• Are potholes or large cracks present? You will need to budget the funds to have those repaired; if possible, however, have them fixed before winter rather than waiting until after the first of the year. These openings allow water to reach the pavement’s foundation and damage it, and once the temperature drops below freezing, the extent of the damages increases.
• Have automotive fluids leaked on your pavement? These fluids can penetrate your sealant and destroy your asphalt pavement. Your budget should include a plan to have such leaks removed periodically.
• Is there much debris on your pavement? Leaves and trash need to be removed on a regular basis. Water can pool underneath, increasing the possibility that it could penetrate to the foundation. Furthermore, some types of debris can stain your pavement.
• Does the pavement have adequate drainage? If you notice water pooling in low spots or if the pavement has insufficient runoff, you might want to consider budgeting for a solution. For example, curbing can help redirect runoff, low spots can be “built up” or additional drains can be installed.
2. Determine your pavement’s history.
• When was the pavement installed? It is common for asphalt pavement to require special attention once it is 10 or 12 years old, depending on usage.
• How often has the pavement required fresh sealcoating, and when was the sealant last applied? If your pavement normally requires sealcoating every two or three years and was last sealed four years ago, you probably need to budget for it even if your pavement looks fine.
• How many cracks did you have filled this year? How many required filling last year? Averaging the two numbers can help you predict how many will need filling next year although your estimate will not be exact.
3. Compute an estimate for the services you feel will be required.
• You can use past invoices to find a rough estimate of costs.
• You can call your contractor and ask him to provide you with an estimate for the items on your list.
• You can ask an asphalt contractor to inspect your pavement and submit a list of all work he feels should be done and the associated costs.
If you need additional help, contact the experts at Dirtworks. We offer an extensive range of asphalt paving and maintenance services throughout Cape Cod. We also offer excavation services and site work. Whether you need a cellar hole dug, a parking lot sealcoated or a road built, we can help. You can submit our online form to receive a free quote, or you can call us at 508-240-5541.
