Division 32: Exterior improvements
Paving estimating for asphalt and site contractors
Bidmere measures pavement areas by section, converts lifts to tons, and counts the striping, curbs and accessories on your civil plans. Then we price the work at your rates.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price agreed before any work starts
- Plan review is free
- You pay only after you accept the price and delivery date
- Single-trade estimates in 48 hours
- Your rates, your markup, your final number
Quick answer
Paving estimating from Bidmere gives asphalt paving and site contractors measured takeoffs and cost estimates from civil plans. We measure pavement area by section, calculate base and asphalt tonnage from lift thicknesses, and count curb, striping and signage. Pricing uses your rates. Single-trade estimates are from $195 and ready in 48 hours.
What does an asphalt paving estimate include?
An asphalt paving estimate from Bidmere includes measured quantities by pavement section, tonnage by lift, and a cost summary at your rates. Each item ties back to the civil sheet and revision.
- Pavement area by section type: heavy duty, standard duty, drive lanes, parking
- Aggregate base and subbase by area and by ton or cubic yard
- Asphalt tonnage by lift: surface course, binder or intermediate course, base course
- Tack coat and prime coat by area
- Mill and overlay areas on resurfacing work
- Concrete curb, gutter and wheel stops by length or count
- Pavement markings, stalls, arrows and signage by count or length
- Assumptions, exclusions and open questions
Delivery is an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions.
How is asphalt tonnage calculated in a paving takeoff?
Asphalt tonnage comes from area, lift thickness and the mix density you use. We measure the area, apply the thickness for each lift from the pavement section, and convert to tons with your density factor.
The basic relationship is:
Tons = area (SF) x thickness (ft) x density (lb per CF) / 2,000
Density varies by mix and by supplier, so we use the figure you give us or the one in the spec. Waste and yield factors are listed separately, so you can see net and gross tons.
| Item | Unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Pavement area by section | SF or SY | Civil paving plan and section details |
| Asphalt surface course | TON | Area x lift thickness x density |
| Asphalt binder or base course | TON | Area x lift thickness x density |
| Aggregate base | TON or CY | Area x depth, compaction factor per your rule |
| Milling | SY | Mill and overlay plan |
| Tack coat | SY or GAL | Area between lifts |
| Curb and gutter | LF | Site plan |
| Striping | LF, EA | Striping plan |
Which civil plan conflicts change a paving estimate?
Paving quantities depend on the pavement section and the limits of work. These conflicts change numbers and are listed as open questions:
- Pavement section detail that differs from the geotechnical report
- Heavy-duty and standard-duty areas not clearly hatched on the plan
- Limits of paving that differ between the paving plan and the grading plan
- Lift thickness in the spec that differs from the section detail
- Striping plan stall count that does not match the site data table
- Sawcut and patch limits not shown where new paving meets existing
- ADA ramps and detectable warnings shown on one sheet only
Each item notes the assumption used, so you can accept it or send an answer.
Which paving scope gaps lose money after award?
Paving bids often miss work at the edges of the scope. We show each of these as included, an allowance or excluded:
- Subgrade preparation, proof rolling and undercut of soft areas
- Fine grading before base
- Sawcutting and removal at tie-ins to existing pavement
- Traffic control, phasing and temporary access
- Testing: density, compaction and mix testing
- Utility adjustments: manholes, valve boxes, inlet frames
- Sealcoat and crack sealing on maintenance work
- Mobilizations for multiple phases
A written exclusion list keeps these clear with the GC or owner.
What drives asphalt paving cost per square foot?
Asphalt paving cost per square foot depends on the pavement section, project size and access. A thin overlay on an open lot and a full-depth section on a tight site price very differently.
- Section thickness. More lifts and thicker base mean more tons per square foot.
- New work or resurfacing. Milling, patching and overlay differ from full new construction.
- Project size. Small jobs carry mobilization and minimum tonnage over fewer square feet.
- Asphalt and aggregate prices. These follow local plant pricing and liquid asphalt costs.
- Haul distance. Distance to the plant affects trucking cost and mix temperature.
- Site conditions. Soft subgrade, tight access, phasing and night work.
- Extras. Striping, curb, ADA work and testing.
Bidmere does not publish a per square foot figure. Your estimate is priced from measured quantities at your rates. For broader benchmarks, see construction cost per square foot.
Have plans for this scope? Send them over. Fixed quote within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Get a fixed quoteWhat should you send for paving estimating?
Send the civil set and the documents that define the pavement section. The paving plan and section details are the minimum.
- Civil paving plan, grading plan and site plan
- Pavement section details and the geotechnical report if issued
- Striping and signage plan
- Demolition plan for removal and tie-in limits
- Specification sections for asphalt, base, markings and testing
- Any DOT or municipal standard details the plans cite
- Your labor and equipment rates, plant pricing and density factors
The first form takes text only. We arrange document sharing after confirming the work.
Asphalt paving estimator: in house, software or outsourced
An asphalt paving estimator turns civil plans into areas, tons and a priced bid. Whether that person sits in your office, runs software or works for a service, the checks are the same.
What an asphalt paving estimator checks:
- Each pavement section on the plans and details, by area.
- Lift thickness and the mix for each lift, from the specs.
- Base, milling, patching and overlay limits.
- Curb, striping, ADA ramps and signage that may sit in your scope.
- Testing, traffic control and phasing requirements.
In house. A full-time estimator pays off when you bid paving every week. They also know your plant prices and crews.
Software. Takeoff software measures areas faster, but someone still applies the sections and converts area to tons. It does not read the geotech report or write the question log.
Outsourced. An outside estimator fits when bids pile up in paving season or a DOT letting lands on a busy week. Bidmere measures the areas, applies your sections, calculates tons and prices the work at your rates, from $195. You set the asphalt price and markup.
If you price in a spreadsheet, the free construction estimate template works for paving. Use SY or SF for area, TON for asphalt and aggregate base, and LF for curb and striping. To compare options, see estimating software vs service.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard-duty pavement area | 48,600 | SF | Parking stalls, per sheet C-401 |
| Heavy-duty pavement area | 14,200 | SF | Drive lanes and truck route |
| Surface course, 1.5 in. | 569 | TON | Both sections, density per spec |
| Binder course, 2 in. standard duty | 587 | TON | Standard-duty area only |
| Binder course, 3 in. heavy duty | 257 | TON | Heavy-duty area only |
| Aggregate base, 8 in. | 1,550 | CY | Before compaction factor |
| Concrete curb and gutter | 1,880 | LF | Per site plan C-201 |
| Parking stall striping | 164 | EA | Includes 7 ADA stalls |
Fictional example: parking lot paving takeoff for a retail site. Not a customer project or pricing recommendation.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Will I lose control of my number?
No. Quantities are priced with your rates. You set markup and the final bid price.
Will you use my density and yield factors?
Yes. Send them at setup and every tonnage line shows the factor used.
Can you handle DOT unit-price bids?
Yes. We quantify each pay item on the bid form so your team can enter unit prices.
Who is responsible for the final bid?
Your company. Your team reviews, signs and submits. Bidmere never signs or submits a bid.
Paving takeoff and estimate pricing
Paving takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade paving estimates at $195. The fixed quote for your job usually lands in these ranges:
| Job size | Takeoff only (quantities) | Single-trade estimate (quantities and pricing) |
|---|---|---|
| Small job: up to 10,000 SF | $149 to $295 | $195 to $395 |
| Mid-size job: 10,000 to 50,000 SF | $295 to $695 | $395 to $895 |
| Large job: over 50,000 SF, or several buildings | From $695 | From $895 |
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours. Rush (24 hours) adds 30%. 25% off your first estimate. Every job gets a fixed quote within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. Every estimate is delivered as an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions. See pricing for the full price list and scope conditions.
Monthly estimating plans
Bid paving every week? Use a monthly estimating plan
If paving bids land on your desk every week, a monthly plan works like an outsourced estimating department. Starter is $1,395 per month for up to 6 bids. Pro is $2,595 per month for up to 12 bids. Scale is $4,795 per month for up to 25 bids. Each plan uses your rates and templates and runs on your bid calendar.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paving estimate cost?
Single-trade paving estimates are from $195, and takeoff-only work is from $149. Large or multi-phase sites get a fixed quote to scope. You get the price within 2 business hours after a free plan review, and you pay only after you accept the price and delivery date.
How fast is an asphalt paving takeoff?
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours from an accepted quote and complete documents. Tell us your bid date when you request a quote. If the deadline is tight, a rush option (24-hour rush for 30% more) may be available when capacity allows, confirmed before you accept.
What do I need to send for an asphalt estimate?
The civil paving, grading and site plans, pavement section details, striping plan and demolition plan. Add the geotechnical report if issued, the specs for asphalt and base, and your rates, plant pricing and density factors. Missing items become written assumptions.
Who sets the prices in a paving estimate?
You do. We apply your labor and equipment rates, plant pricing and trucking costs to the measured quantities. You set markup and the final bid price. If a price is missing, we list the line as open rather than guessing.
How much does asphalt paving cost per square foot?
It depends on section thickness, new work versus overlay, project size, local plant prices, haul distance and site conditions. Bidmere does not publish a figure. Contractors can send plans, and we measure the work and price it at their rates. Owners should ask a local paving contractor.
Do you estimate DOT and municipal paving bids?
Yes. For unit-price bids, we quantify each pay item on the bid schedule using the agency’s measurement rules where the documents state them. Your team enters the unit prices, signs and submits. See our state DOT lettings page for the bid paperwork side.
Is paving estimating software a better choice?
Software helps a trained estimator measure areas faster, but someone still has to measure, apply sections and calculate tons. If your estimator has spare hours, software may be enough. If bids are piling up, outsourcing the takeoff frees time for plant pricing and bid strategy.
How are addenda and plan revisions handled?
Send each revision as it is issued. We update areas and tonnage for the changed sheets and note what moved. The accepted quote explains how revisions are priced, so you know the cost before the update starts. Each update names the sheets and revision dates used.
Do I need an asphalt paving estimator on staff?
Only if you bid paving often enough to keep one busy. If the owner or a project manager estimates between jobs, peak season gets hard. An outside estimator covers the overflow. Bidmere measures the areas, applies your sections, calculates tons and prices the work at your rates. You get a fixed quote within 2 business hours.
Get a fixed quote
Share the project basics. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.