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Paving & Asphalt: what bids leave out
Paving bids usually quote a price per square yard or a lump sum for a lot, and the section underneath is where they differ. One bidder carries base stone, fine grade, two lifts and striping. Another prices surface asphalt over someone else's base and excludes subgrade correction, testing, signage and the second mobilization. Make every bidder price the same section.
Level your paving bids with this checklist →
Standard scope checklist
Send this to every bidder and ask them to mark each line Included, Excluded or give an Add $. Silence is not inclusion.
| # | Scope item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pavement section per plan: base thickness, binder and surface lifts |
| 2 | Asphalt mix types per spec or DOT standard |
| 3 | Aggregate base: furnish, place, compact |
| 4 | Fine grading of subgrade / base to tolerance |
| 5 | Proof roll and subgrade correction (unit price) |
| 6 | Removal of existing pavement and disposal |
| 7 | Milling (for overlays) |
| 8 | Tack coat between lifts |
| 9 | Number of mobilizations (e.g., base course now, surface course later) |
| 10 | Concrete curb and gutter (if in paving scope) |
| 11 | Patching at utility cuts and tie-ins to existing pavement |
| 12 | Pavement markings, striping, stalls and ADA symbols |
| 13 | ADA parking signage and wheel stops |
| 14 | Density / compaction testing |
| 15 | Traffic control in public right-of-way |
| 16 | Permits for work in the right-of-way |
| 17 | Adjusting manholes, valve boxes and inlets to final grade |
| 18 | Sealcoat (if specified) |
| 19 | Weather and seasonal limits (asphalt plant closures) |
| 20 | Sales tax, bond and prevailing wage |
Common exclusions and how they are worded
| Exclusion | Typical wording | Why it matters | Typical cost to cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate base & fine grade |
| Base stone and fine grading can sit with the grader or the paver. If both exclude it, it's a gap, and the base matters as much as the asphalt. | TBD |
| Subgrade correction |
| Soft spots found during proof roll have to be fixed before paving. Get a unit price so it isn't open-ended. | TBD |
| Striping & signage |
| Parking stalls, ADA spaces and signs are required for occupancy. They are commonly excluded or bid separately. | TBD |
| Mobilizations |
| Many projects pave the base course early and the surface course at the end. A one-mobilization bid isn't comparable to a two-lift, two-trip bid. | TBD |
| Testing |
| Compaction and mix testing is usually owner-hired. Budget for it and settle who pays for retests. | TBD |
| Curb & gutter |
| Curb can belong to the paver or the concrete sub. Check that one of them carries every linear foot. | TBD |
| Patching & tie-ins |
| Where new pavement meets old, or where utilities were trenched, edges need saw cutting and patching. These small areas add up. | TBD |
| Structure adjustments |
| Manholes and valve boxes have to be set to final pavement grade. These often sit between storm sewer, water and paving. | TBD |
| Right-of-way work |
| Driveway approaches and street patches in the public right-of-way bring permits, traffic control and city specs. | TBD |
| Seasonal limits |
| Asphalt plants and specs limit paving in cold weather. A bid may assume a season your schedule doesn't match. | TBD |
“Typical cost to cover” is TBD. We will publish ranges only once we have real, sourced data. Until then, use your own estimate or a confirmed add price from a bidder.
Questions to ask bidders
- What pavement section did you price (base thickness, binder and surface lifts, mix types)?
- Is aggregate base and fine grading included, or are you paving on someone else's base?
- What is your unit price for subgrade correction?
- How many mobilizations did you include?
- Is striping, ADA signage and wheel stops included?
- Is concrete curb and gutter included?
- Are tie-ins to existing pavement and utility cut patches included?
- Who adjusts manholes and valve boxes to final grade?
- Does your price include any right-of-way work, permits or traffic control?
Bid-ready paving contractors
Contractors who agree to price against the standard checklist above, with exclusions spelled out line by line. Listings are not live yet.
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist
Featured listing
Your company · City, ST
Bids on the BidGaps checklist