Parking Lot Work
Hi everyone,

I’m currently managing a retail strip center commercial property for a client that has a parking lot which is roughly 7800 sq feet. There’s a few big potholes, so I’ve been receiving bids for redoing the lot. I was initially thinking of just digging up the potholed areas and seal coating the lot, but reading more on this - it seems like this method is going to cost more in the long run, as the bad foundation is going to create more problems more frequently and quickly.

Out of the proposals, there was one I liked most. He is suggesting to resurface the parking lot. Do you think his proposal in the realms of market value? And why do you think he separated the “alternative cost” instead of combining? I mean isn’t restriping necessary?

And looking forward the future - what do you think would be optimal for maintenance for my client? Seal coating ever 2 years or so? Or every year?

I’m pretty new to all this so thank you in advanced for helping this newcomer!

Proposal: https://imgur.com/a/9Mpm7pE

Pothole: https://imgur.com/a/n9aB7bg
[{"id": "esvshua", "text": "Ask him what the warranty is. \n\nAlso make sure it includes re-striping (i.e. painting of the lot) as well as epoxying or pinning any wheel stops (and if he\u2019s providing them or not)\n\nOther random thought, see if he\u2019s gonna make sure that the base bed is properly compacted before the asphalt layer is placed, that usually brings up a lot of issues down the road. If he doesn\u2019t do it you may need to find another sub to do that\n\nAnd also make sure he slopes properly for drainage (to drains or the street or whatever)\n\nAnd make sure he includes for all trash removal, hauling, etc. and cleanup of any smears he gets on nearby curbs/walls/etc\n\nJust think of anything/everything under the sun that might go wrong and make sure he includes it (or what you plan is)", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "eswbr2l", "text": "Call and ask a competitor but from another state/market - be upfront and honest with your intention and they will probably help you.  \n\nYou would be surprised- I had a similar experience when I was shopping a parking lot cleaning company- info was valuable, obviously market impacts numbers but I got a general idea \n\ndoordashed them coffee and bagels the next morning for their time", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "et4edb2", "text": "I would certainly want that scope of work tightened up to explicitly state exactly what is being done - scrape failing base, compact, apply 3\" of new asphalt to finished to match existing grade, etc. My assumption is the \"alternate\" is if you want him to provide new parking stops rather than reuse the existing ones. I would have him make it clear that re-striping is included in line item 1.\n\nSeal coating isn't an annual thing. It's usually ever 2-3 years.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "etb3klo", "text": "Usually the issue I see with failing asphalt isn\u2019t the amount of asphalt but the depth of the base. I would ensure the correct amount of base is in place before pouring additional asphalt.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]