If you own a commercial business or property with a parking lot, one of the best maintenance tasks you can undertake is seal coating. Sealcoating your lot protects the asphalt from damage caused by UV rays, gasoline spills, weathering, and other contaminants, ensuring that your lot remains in good condition for a long time, is functional, and retains curb appeal. But, how much does sealcoating a parking lot cost? Let’s break down the average seal coat cost per square foot, and outline the factors that can influence this price.
Going Beyond The Appearance - Why Should You Sealcoat?
Sealcoating isn't just a cosmetic touch-up. It's a smart investment that reduces the need for expensive repairs or repaving later on down the line. How? A coat of sealant protects the asphalt, preventing it from cracking, chipping, or developing potholes, which keeps your parking lot structurally sound and extends its lifespan.
How Much Will It Cost? Average Sealcoating Price Per Square Foot
The average sealcoating price per square foot is as little as $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot.
- Parking Lot Sealcoating Cost for 50-space Lot.
If you have a 50-space parking lot with an average of 325 square feet of space per parking spot (16,250 square feet of space total), you’ll spend around $2,437 to $4,062.50 to sealcoat the entire lot.
- Sealcoating Parking Lot Cost for a 200-space Lot.
If you have a 200-space parking lot with an average of 325 square feet of space per parking spot (65,000 square feet of space total), you’ll spend around $9, 750 to $16,250 to sealcoat the entire lot.
When you take a look at these numbers and compare them to what it would cost to repave an entire lot, you’re looking at drastic savings. To pave an asphalt parking lot, it’s $3-$6 per square foot on average, and to repave a concrete parking lot, the numbers are higher, averaging $4-$8 per square foot. By budgeting costs for sealcoating your parking lot at regular intervals, you can significantly reduce long-term costs.
6 Factors That Influence Seal Coat Cost Per Square Foot
When calculating the cost to seal coat your parking lot, there are several factors to keep in mind.
1. How Big Is Your Lot?
The size of your lot is going to have a significant impact on the total sealcoating cost of your parking lot.
2. What Condition Is Your Lot In?
The condition of your lot’s surface impacts the total cost you’ll need to pay out. If your lot has cracks, potholes, or poor drainage, these issues will need to be repaired before sealcoating can take place.
3. What Kind of Sealant Do You Want Used?
There are different types of sealants available, such as coal tar emulsion, asphalt emulsion, fast dry, acrylic, and oil-based sealants. Here is a brief rundown of the average costs of sealant types:
- Coal Tar Emulsion runs approximately $465 per 55-gallon drum.
- Asphalt Emulsion runs approximately $533 per 55-gallon drum.
- Fast Dry additives will run you $120 per 5-gallon pail used.
- Acrylic runs approximately $900 per 55-gallon drum.
- Oil-based runs approximately $825-$1,100 for 5,500 square feet of coverage.
Note that the total cost you’ll pay for sealcoating is determined by the square footage of your lot and the type of sealant used.
4. How Many Mobilizations Will It Take?
The number of mobilizations required to complete the sealcoating impacts cost. Mobilization refers to the number of phases the project can be completed in to minimize disruptions to your tenants/customers.
5. How Much Cleaning Is Needed?
The costs of sealcoating a parking lot can be impacted by how much cleaning and prep is needed. This includes removing dirt, debris, and oil spots.
6. What’s Your Parking Lots Layout?
A lot with obstacles or several separate areas require more manual applications, which increases labor costs. Whereas, a wide open parking lot with minimal landscape islands is a lot easier to sealcoat with a truck spray bar, covering more ground in less time.
To get an accurate estimate for your sealcoating project and ensure it's done right, consider partnering with us here at DCPLM. Our team has the experience and knowledge to assess your parking lot's unique needs and provide a tailored solution that maximizes the longevity and value of your investment. Visit us at dcplm.com to learn more about our comprehensive sealcoating services and how we can help you protect and maintain your parking lot for years to come.