Paving Prep work on a jobsite in California

Paving Prep in California

Paving Prep contractors in California

Subgrade cut, undercut, aggregate base and proof roll for parking lots, roads and driveways, ready for the paver.

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Project guide

Hiring paving prep contractors in California

Paving preparation is the earthwork under asphalt or concrete: cutting the subgrade to plan, undercutting and replacing soft spots, placing and compacting aggregate base in lifts, and proof rolling with a loaded truck to find anything that pumps before the paving crew shows up. Asphalt is only as good as what is under it, and most premature cracking and rutting traces back to a thin or poorly compacted base rather than the mix. Base thickness runs from about four to six inches of crushed stone under a residential driveway to eight to twelve inches or more under a commercial lot or a road, compacted to 95 percent or better of maximum density, with the surface held to within a fraction of an inch of grade so the asphalt lift is uniform. Prep contractors often also handle the curb subgrade, drainage structures and the connection to existing pavement.

GradeLine lists 23 paving prep contractors that serve California.Compare their work and equipment, then confirm availability and service area before requesting a quote.

Listed businesses are based in Crestline, Chico, Ukiah, Windsor, Ramona, GRASS VALLEY, though most crews travel well beyond their home city.

What paving prep work costs

Subgrade preparation and aggregate base typically run $1.50 to $4 per square foot, with undercut and replacement of bad soil adding $20 to $40 per cubic yard. Base for a residential driveway commonly costs $1,000 to $4,000, while a one-acre commercial parking lot can run $60,000 to $175,000 for prep alone depending on cut depth and stone thickness.

Ranges are national and approximate; regional labor rates, material prices and site conditions move them in both directions.

Common projects

  • Parking lot and roadway subgrade preparation, undercut and aggregate base placement
  • Driveway and private road base construction for asphalt or concrete surfacing
  • Milling, pulverizing and base reclamation on existing pavements, plus drainage corrections

What affects a quote

  • Area, cut depth and the volume of unsuitable soil that has to be undercut and replaced
  • Aggregate type and thickness, trucking distance from the quarry, and lift and compaction requirements
  • Density testing, proof roll requirements, drainage structures and equipment mobilization

Paving Prep FAQ

What does paving prep work cost?

Subgrade preparation and aggregate base typically run $1.50 to $4 per square foot, with undercut and replacement of bad soil adding $20 to $40 per cubic yard. Base for a residential driveway commonly costs $1,000 to $4,000, while a one-acre commercial parking lot can run $60,000 to $175,000 for prep alone depending on cut depth and stone thickness.

What should I share when requesting a paving prep estimate?

Send the pavement section, the grading plan or target elevations, the expected traffic, any geotechnical report, testing requirements, and the paving date the base has to be ready for.

What can change the cost of paving prep work in California?

The main cost items are area, cut depth and the volume of unsuitable soil that has to be undercut and replaced; aggregate type and thickness, trucking distance from the quarry, and lift and compaction requirements; density testing, proof roll requirements, drainage structures and equipment mobilization. A site visit helps the crew see which ones apply.

Do paving prep projects in California need permits?

Commercial lots and public roads require plan review, stormwater permits and inspections of the subgrade and base before paving. Work along a public road needs an access or right-of-way permit, and many jurisdictions cap how much of a lot can be paved without stormwater detention.

Directory

Paving Prep contractors serving California

23 contractors found

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