Sealcoating Cost Planning Guide for Commercial Parking Lots

Sealcoating your property's parking lot will protect your pavement and help you extend your asphalt's lifespan. Sealcoating will also save you money by helping you avoid the need for costly asphalt repairs.
Understanding the average costs of commercial sealcoating projects in your area can help you determine whether you're getting a fair deal.
How Much Does It Cost to Sealcoat a Parking Lot?
The average cost for sealcoating a commercial parking lot in Pennsylvania ranges between $0.13 to $0.30 per square foot, depending on the customer's specific needs and other external factors. Some of the most important factors contributing to the total cost include the following:
- Labor
- Equipment
- Material costs (sealer, sand, and any additives required by the mix design)
- Logistics (some companies may charge more for “weekend” work when their laborers are in overtime)
- Necessary prep work (If a parking lot is very dirty and requires extra cleaning, the cost per square foot will be higher.)
- Mobilization costs
- Lot size
- If your job requires prevailing wages (schools, township and government buildings, etc.) the cost per square foot will be higher.
Most companies charge per square foot, which makes the price easy to estimate based on the size of your parking lot.
What Factors Affect Sealcoating Costs?
A general cost estimate for sealcoating projects should include these factors in the calculation:
- Lot size: Larger parking lots may cost more overall. However, a property owner should be able to get a lower price per square foot for a larger parking lot, due to quantity.
- Asphalt condition: The condition of your parking lot determines how much prep the contractors will have to perform, which directly impacts the final project costs. Parking lots with extensive damage, such as potholes and large cracks, will cost significantly more than new, well-maintained lots. Dirty parking lots will also require more labor to properly clean the pavement, and the price per square foot will increase as a result.
- Labor costs: The more mobilizations your project requires will result in higher labor costs for the contractor.
- Economic factors: A sealcoating provider's pricing may change based on economic factors like fluctuating material costs, geo-economic conditions, and more. Most quotes are good for 30 days from the date of the original quote.
- Materials used: While premium sealer products cost more than lower-end alternatives, they are worth the investment. These products typically include primer, sealer and paint, and they provide long-lasting results that will meet your specific needs.
- Number of coats: Higher-traffic areas require more coats of sealer than others, which raises the overall cost. Low-traffic areas may only need one coat of sealer, but the majority of parking lots require two coats of sealer for the longest-lasting results.
Knowing the specific materials and techniques a service provider uses can help you understand their pricing. When one sealcoating contractor is more expensive than another contractor, it helps to ask them what materials they use, how experienced their workforce is, and how advanced their equipment is.
Sealcoating ROI: Why It's Worth the Investment
While sealcoating can be a significant upfront investment for many organizations, it's a project that can generate an excellent ROI.
Here's how sealcoating your parking lot can benefit your business:

- Cost savings: Sealcoating every few years can help extend the life of your parking lot by 10 to 15 years, and it costs significantly less than an asphalt replacement.
- Enhanced appearance: When you sealcoat your parking lot, you refresh its appearance and improve the view customers have of your organization.
- Additional protection: A sealcoated asphalt surface is effectively protected against water penetration, surface oxidation and damage from harsh chemicals.
After the coating is applied, establishing a preventive maintenance routine can help you maximize your investment and ROI. Sealcoating is recommended every 4-5 years to keep your asphalt protected.
Budgeting Tips for Parking Lot Sealcoating
Sealcoating a parking lot is an investment, so carefully planning a budget is vital for a successful project. When you know the different contributors to the typical cost of sealcoating, you can figure out how it fits into your company's budget.
1. Incorporate All Budgeting Factors
While getting a quote from your sealcoating provider will give you the most accurate estimate, you can get a general idea through basic calculations.
First, calculate the total square footage of your parking lot to determine how much space your coating provider will need to cover. Measure the length and width of the lot, then multiply them against each other. If there are any areas of the parking lot that extend beyond a basic rectangle, calculate those areas separately.
Once you calculate your square footage, multiply it by the average price per square foot to get your base estimate.
2. Schedule Regular Sealcoating Maintenance
While your parking lot may look immaculate, it's best to reapply sealcoating once every four to five years to ensure lasting results. Establishing a preventive maintenance plan is one of the most effective ways to limit costs and prevent major damage to your parking lot.
Preventive maintenance inspections enable you to identify and address minor issues with your parking lot surface before they can escalate into costly repairs. For example, scheduling professional crack filling services between coatings can prevent small cracks from growing into severe issues like potholes.

Contact Daniel B. Krieg for Your Free Sealcoating Project Quote
Choosing the right service provider is critical for getting the high-quality treatment your parking lot deserves. At Daniel B. Krieg, we're committed to providing the best possible customer experience in the industry.
Many organizations and businesses trust our decades of experience and skilled professionals to provide excellent work on tight timelines, and we use only the highest-quality materials to ensure a lasting finish. We don't cut corners — we find innovative ways to overcome jobsite challenges and deliver results.
Protect your parking lot through every season with our expert sealcoating. We also offer crack filling and line painting services. Contact us online or call our office at 800.334.4929 to request your free quote.
Contact Daniel B. Krieg For A Quote
Please contact Daniel B. Krieg, Inc. by filling out the form below, or by calling us at one of our locations.
