Sealcoating Business Frequently Asked Questions 

Search this page for answers to your sealcoating business questions or contact us with any questions! You can also join our weekly Asphalt Kingdom Roundtable to tap into our community of sealcoating contractors and get FREE advice very week!

What do you do with waste such as empty barrels, a water box that needs cleaning, etc.?

Before you take anything to Waste Management, you should run a few searches to find someone who can recycle steel drums and other materials as scrap. It is not environmentally responsible for these materials to end up in your local landfill. Most of your options will require that you clean the sealer off the drums beforehand.

You can also participate in local upcycling projects. After cleaning, many locations like schools or your local recreation district may want drums or totes to be repurposed. An example is a school that lets the students paint the drums and then uses them as trash cans.

Remember, you should not simply spray the inside of the sealer or chemical containers and then dump the result on the ground. Instead, you can save the water to use in other applications, such as dilution on a job site, without risking your local environment.

What is the going rate per foot for sealcoating these days?

For residential sealcoating work, we recommend charging between $0.35 to $0.45 per square foot. Commercial work, on the other hand, should be closer to $0.20. Typically, the commercial rate is less because you complete commercial work on larger scales that require less equipment movement and drive time during the day.

What you charge will depend on your location, the products you use, the cost of labor, the demand for your services, and similar factors. You can also monetize other services that often come with sealcoating during the same visit, like crack filling, cleaning, or line striping. You may even offer small discounts for bundling services.

What does the competition look like in the sealcoating business?

The demand for asphalt sealcoating services is enormous, and there are trillions of miles of asphalt that need maintenance. As long as you present your services correctly and do a good job, there will always be demand for your services. In many cases, companies report barely being able to keep up with all the demand.

In most areas, it's not about whether there is competition. Remember, home and business owners will need your services every two to three years to maintain their property. Building that repeat client base means you never need to worry about the competition.

How many square feet will a gallon of sealer do?

Brushes and squeegees yield 40 to 50 square feet per gallon. A single coat with a sprayer can produce upwards of 100 square feet per gallon on newer asphalt and 70 square feet per gallon on older asphalt.

Your calculations for sealer volumes should include the state of the asphalt. Sealer adds compounds to the asphalt that promote flexibility, so older or less maintained asphalt needs a little more TLC than asphalt laid a year ago.

Additionally, a sprayer system typically delivers a more uniform thin coat of sealer than the manual process can. However, even if you have an experienced asphalt maintenance crew, you are extremely unlikely to deliver the same precision as a sprayer system. Therefore more sealer is used with a brush and squeegee.

Do you have to start with the full package, or can you start with a crack filler and a portable sealer?

You can definitely start with a single service if you need to. Crack sealing, for example, is the most in-demand service in asphalt maintenance. When crack sealing, you can charge $1 to $1.20 per linear foot. Meanwhile, your costs are only $0.14 to $0.16 per linear foot of crack sealing.

We do recommend starting with a full package if you have the capital available. Doing so helps you establish and grow your business quickly within your community. It also means that you will not need to change your business model later, which most people find helpful.

Under which weather conditions can the sealing be done?

You need weather conditions that are hotter than 55 degrees Fahrenheit to apply sealer. Below that, the water does not evaporate quickly enough, and it drags out the drying process. In addition, the slower process decreases the chances of a uniform sealcoat as well since there is a greater chance of rain or traffic impacting the process.

Remember, cure time is not the same as dry time. Dry time is quick, often lasting four to eight hours depending on the additives you use and your local conditions. Dry time means people can walk on the sealer without tracking it everywhere. Cure time takes up to a week, and it's the bonding process between the sealer and the asphalt.

In extreme Texas heat, how long does the seal coat last?

Typically, the increased heat means sealcoating should happen every two years to maintain your customer's properties. The heat dries out the asphalt quickly and speeds up the evaporation of the flexible compounds in asphalt. Without a strict sealcoating schedule, the asphalt will be prone to cracking.

Heat is common in any of the Southern states, and more states are documenting hotter summers. As a sealcoating specialist, you can advocate double sealcoat layers and lower dilution rates to increase the durability of each job. Additionally, helping people maintain a two-to-three-year sealcoating cycle also helps with the lifespan of the asphalt.

Does the sealcoat starter package require heat like tar would?

Sealer does not require heat before application. The sealer comes in an ambient temperature state, and it is already a liquid. Depending on the sealer you're using for sealcoating, it may come with dilution instructions that you should follow.

If you're thinking of heat in terms of Asphalt Kingdom's offerings, you may be thinking of crack sealing. A hot crack sealer does require heat to melt it to its usable form. However, even in crack sealing, there are cold options that require no heat.

How do you know how to dilute sealer?

In general, you should speak with your asphalt sealer manufacturer regarding the dilution rates you need to know about. Each sealer is formulated a little differently and tolerates dilution at distinct rates. You may also need to discuss your specific climate with your manufacturer.

At Asphalt Kingdom, sealer comes ready to use so that you do not need to worry about dilution. However, if you are having issues spraying the sealer, we recommend calling our expert customer support team for advice rather than starting to dilute.

For a new sealcoating company, what percentage of new business typically comes from door-knocking?

Door-knocking is a valuable tool, and it typically works well for asphalt maintenance companies. However, the precise percentage of sales you can get from door knocking varies, especially if residential is not the only area of your business. For example, the founder of Asphalt Kingdom, Judd, closed an astonishing 40% of the doors his company knocked on.

If you're going to use door-knocking as a tactic, make sure you set it up correctly. You should first contact your local authorities about solicitation permits. Then you can set up a demonstration job at a discount. Your team can use that demonstration to encourage other people in the same neighborhood to purchase your services.

Does concrete get seal coated at any point like asphalt driveways?

Yes, people can seal coat concrete using specialty concrete sealers. No, we do not recommend adding that as a service to your asphalt maintenance company. We feel that sealcoating concrete goes outside the asphalt maintenance niche.

Branding is an essential component of how your asphalt maintenance company obtains new customers, even if no one ever tells you that that's why they picked your company. You want to remain focused on your niche and not bring any unrelated services into your business, so you do not muddy your customers' perceptions.

I'm starting out by hand with no overhead and no credit. Would I still charge the same as with using a sprayer?

Yes, you can. You can also charge more than someone using a sprayer to cover the additional labor time and crew costs. While the typical sprayer may charge between $0.35 and $0.45 per square foot, you could go up to $0.50 to cover your expenses.

Choosing to charge a higher fee can be challenging, especially if you know your competition is using a sprayer. However, it comes down to valuing your time and talents. You only have so many hours in the day, and you need to make a living as well. We also recommend setting aside a portion of each job to upgrade your equipment when you can.

Do you provide proposals to obtain financing?

Asphalt Kingdom does not provide the actual proposals to obtain financing. Many of the options we see people use, such as PayPal, do not require full proposals either.

Asphalt Kingdom does have a financing partner that you can work with. Simply reach out to our customer support team for information how we can help you launch your asphalt maintenance business.

Another option is PayPal. When we wrote this FAQ, PayPal offered a 6-month, 0-interest option for qualified applicants. If you immediately invest your time into your business, you can pay back the loan before the interest starts compounding.

Another option, and one that we recommend, is finding someone in your community to partner with. You may not have initial capital on your own, but partnering with a family member or friend may mean having the money between the pair of you. Plus, you will have help running your business.

Is there a wrong way to apply the sealer? Or is it an easy skill to learn?

There is a right way to apply sealer since you want a thorough coat without leaving any on the surface that may flake later. If you cover every square foot with a brush and squeegee, chances are you have a thorough coat. With a sealer spraying system, you may need to do your own driveway as practice to ensure you overlap the sealer appropriately.

With that in mind, applying sealer is a relatively easy skill to learn. Asphalt Kingdom produced a practical video demonstrating the overlapping fan pattern that we use to ensure a high-quality sealcoat for every customer.

On my spray bar on my truck, is coal tar different from asphalt emulsion when sprayed through my spray bar?

Asphalt emulsion is generally a thicker product and not as open to dilution as coal tar sealers are. However, both will deliver added asphalt-sustaining bitumen compounds to your client's property. Your spray bar should provide an even thorough coat with both products.

You may find that your spray bar system is not optimized for the thicker asphalt emulsion. This consistency can lead to an increased incidence of clogging. Additionally, regardless of what type of sealcoat you are using, keeping your equipment clean is paramount. This procedure ensures that your sealcoat actually applies in an even layer where you want it.

One of my concerns about getting started is that I'm worried about approaching the customer with a quote. It will just be a reminder to call back the person who sealcoated it last. Is that normal?

Starting a new business is challenging, and overcoming your fears is one of the many challenges you will need to overcome. However, regardless of your specific fear, it's vital to start anyway. Even if this scenario happens once, there will always be another potential customer who chooses your services immediately.

The best way to overcome these sorts of fears is to focus on being professional. You can brand yourself, know your asphalt maintenance practices, and provide value to all of your customers. When you feel in control and able to solve problems, it's much harder to worry about the customers that do not choose you.

How do you try and get past the part about not having experience in asphalt maintenance?

The first step is deciding to overcome the fear. Whether that fear is around sales or never having done asphalt maintenance before, deciding that you're going to go for it is a necessary step in the business-building process. You can do this, and you can do this well.

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. ~Les Brown

If you're hovering over the place equipment order button, trying to gain your first client, or dealing with your first rejection, remember to take the next step. You can achieve what you set out to do so long as you never give up.

Have you ever used any of the colors for seal coating, and if so, is there a demand for it?

Asphalt Kingdom has never used or sold colored seal coating materials. We've only ever worked with black sealcoat.

If you would like to work with a colored sealcoat, investigate your local area and see if many areas use it. Then you must consider that popular color sealcoats cannot be used on any surfaces that have ever been sealcoated with a non-acrylic formulation.

How do I compete with companies charging 40 cents a foot for hot rubber crack sealer?

First, it's essential to understand what companies offering those rates are doing. Are they covering commercial parking lots with over 10,000 linear feet of cracks? Or are they trying to make a quick buck on residential sealing? The situation makes a huge difference in why their price point is where it is.

The way you compete with this is differentiation, usually through work quality. You want to be professional, shake people's hands, and then deliver the highest quality crack sealing they've ever seen. You also want to leave clients on a positive note, even if they chose the other company, as you may be who gets called in to fix the cheap company's mistakes.

Do you have to pressure wash to prepare the driveway?

The answer is that it depends. In most cases, pressure washing driveways is not necessary before you can start sealcoating. In fact, it may be detrimental to how your sealcoat cures. Typically, it's better to run a stiff bristle manual or rotary broom over the surface followed by a blower when you are preparing a surface.

However, suppose you have a driveway that is caked in mud, covered in mineral streaks, or something else. In that case, power washing is a useful tool. If possible, give the area a little time to dry before applying the sealcoat to minimize how much moisture is trapped.

How does the crack sealer work on very big cracks? Where I live, the parking lots are all in horrible shape.

The answer depends on your definition of very big. If the cracks are under 1 inch wide, you can use a hot crack sealer, though if the crack is over ¾ inch wide, you'll need to layer applications to make sure both sides of the crack bond to the sealer.

If the cracks are over 1 inch wide, you're talking about using mastics. Mastics are distinct from crack sealers and require that you make a steep investment into a mastic kettle and separate applicators. However, mastics are used on large joints and cracks, so if you invest in the equipment, you will always have a use for it.

What is a good way to clean up accidental overspray after it dries?

If possible, you should try to prevent overspray before it dries. If that's not possible, overspray is very difficult to clean, and the best method varies by surface. Power washing is an option but poses a problem for fresh sealcoat. On concrete, you can use mineral spirits. Some people have also had success with multi-surface stain removers.

If you see overspray before it dries, you can clean it up fairly quickly. The easiest method is a five-gallon bucket of clean water and large sponges. Once you see overspray, simply mop it up with the sponge.

Should the engine on the AK230 be idled up while spraying, or should it be at a low idle?

The AK230 is a great system for medium businesses and offers excellent reliability with proper maintenance. In addition, the pump is self-priming, so there is no need to worry about whether idling will impact readiness to spray.

If you price out a sealcoat job and you're going to do two coats, how much is the going rate for the 2nd coat? Half of what you're charging for the first coat?

With a second coat, you have options on how you price it. We recommend charging 25% to 50% of what you charge for the first coat to apply a second. For easy math, you would take your figure the cost for the first layer of sealcoat and then multiply that by 1.25 or 1.5 to get the price for both coats.

If you think about it, the second coat has less overhead than the first coat. You do not need to move the equipment and crew, nor do you need to prep the surface again. However, the figure you quote should cover the crew wages, machine maintenance, and sealer material costs.

How do you know if you will need one coat or two when sealcoating?

The look of the asphalt informs you whether you need a single or double coat. Unhealthy asphalt looks aged, porous, and takes on a gray or brown tone as it oxidizes. This asphalt really needs two coats of sealcoat. Healthy, black asphalt under less stress in a residential area typically only needs one.

Doing two coats is never a bad option, however, and it ensures the life of the asphalt. You simply must make sure you're quoting prices accordingly for single or double coats. In addition, you are still running a business, so you must cover material and labor costs.

The competition for scoring asphalt maintenance clients is getting intense. But other companies are doing a sloppy job sealing driveways and repairing cracks while undercutting legit businesses like mine. What should I do?

The first question you should ask yourself is how can you differentiate yourself from other companies or people you consider your competition? What you can do is go above and beyond the competition when sealing pavements or repairing cracks.

Present yourself to prospective and current clients in a professional manner, and make sure that your marketing materials are sleek, accurate, and on point. 

Level up your branding game offline and online. Invest in a great website, and don't be shy in promoting your company on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other social networking sites.

Last but not least, objectively evaluate your setup and check where you are lacking or where you have an advantage. You can pay too much attention to your competition, or you can spend that time capitalizing on your strengths.

Why is your asphalt paint $190 a pail for regular dry? Isn't that a bit high?

We are experiencing an unprecedented shortage of many asphalt maintenance supplies right now, and that includes paint. Because of this, we are unable to source paint from our usual suppliers.

We're forced to source paint from small retailers, consolidate them, and ship them to our warehouse. Once orders come in, we then transport them to your location. All of these take time and money, and these factors drive up paint prices.

The higher cost of shipping is another crucial factor why we're seeing a steep rise in paint prices right now. Let's say we're shipping a container of paint from overseas. That used to cost about $6,000. But as of last week, shipping a single container from overseas costs around $32,000.

We wish we could offer more affordable paint options for you, but the supply chain logjams, shortages, and price hikes also have us in a bind. And despite the paint price hikes, we, unfortunately, operate on tight margins.

But that doesn't mean you can't offset the effects of supply chain problems and the resulting inflation. There seems to be no end in sight for the price hikes for now, and market analysts say that this trend will continue until next year. So be prepared and invest in supplies right now while they're still more affordable.

I don't want to use the spray tips. Can your tote system be converted to something we can squeegee out of?

Yes, that is possible with our tote system. We have clients who own air-operated spray systems but still use a squeegee to apply sealcoating.

What you can do is take the spray tip right off of your spray gun, then lower the pressure. Now you can apply sealer using a brush and/or a squeegee.

A district manager in my area hired another asphalt company to do seven stores, but they have not done it yet this year. Is it inappropriate to throw out a proposal? And if so, how do I price it?

There's no harm in trying, so we encourage you to send a professional proposal to make a great impression on the district manager.

Of course, there's always the possibility that the prospective client will say no. But you can always attach a note saying that you understand that they might not be ready to move forward with the whole package right now, but you're ready to show the caliber of your work if they sign up with one or two of the services you offer.

There seem to be some significant delays in shipping your products. What gives?

The bad news is we do have shipping delays on certain pieces of equipment and some components. But the good news is you can always reach out to our reps if you want to know what is on delay or if we can expedite something.

All our RynoWorx equipment — from crack filling machines to spray systems — are available despite an extremely challenging time with sourcing components, and we take pride in that.

I've been researching how to start my own asphalt repair business for several months now, but I'm having second thoughts because of the rising prices of equipment and supplies. Do you have any advice for me?

Unfortunately, price hikes are something we have to deal with in this industry, and there's no easy way to get around it. But that doesn't mean we should curl up in a fetal position and be paralyzed with everything that's happening around us.

The asphalt maintenance industry has been proven to be resilient time and again. Because of that, I strongly recommend that you move forward with your decision and start your own asphalt repair business.

But learn everything you can about the ins and outs of running a sealcoating and crack repair business first. Be professional, and make sure that your margins are nice and healthy so you can scale your business and reinvest into it eventually.

What does everybody do in the off-season?

The off-season is a great time to do many things. It's the time when you can get back into your strategic planning and fine-tune or recalibrate them to meet next year's goals.

But the arrival of the off-season doesn't mean you should put all your tools, supplies, and equipment in storage. You can still offer pothole repairs to your clients with our Mini Infrared Asphalt Heater.

The best thing about the infrared heater is that you can use it to conduct emergency pothole repairs in the winter. Some of our clients are making $95 a press so it can be your main money-maker during the off-season. Patch ten potholes per day, and you're all set to earn $950 in a single day. All you need to do is heat the affected asphalt with this machine, rework it, and compact it with a vibrating plate or a plate compactor.

When it comes to prospective clients for crack repair with the Mini Infrared Asphalt Heater, the possibilities are virtually endless. You can service shopping malls, gas stations, car washes, restaurants, airport parking lots, hotels, etc.

I recently relocated from the West Coast to the East Coast. We usually apply sealer using a squeegee on the West Coast, but it seems that spraying is more popular on the East Coast. Which method is better?

It depends on the size of the project you are working on. For sealcoating smaller residential or commercial projects, a squeegee or a brush will do. But if you're working on massive parking lots, then spraying would make the job more efficient.

The thing is, as long as you're doing a proper two-coat application for all projects, then it doesn't matter if you're using a squeegee or a spray system.

We have an employee who is interested in starting his own line striping business. What advice can you offer someone like him?

We collaborated with Billy Davidson of Davidson Pressure Washing and Painting on creating line striping courses for anyone interested in starting their own business. Billy Davidson has been in the line striping business for over 25 years, so everything you've ever wanted to know about this business is included in these courses.

Check out the courses below.

• Linestriping Guide Signup
• How to Price a Linestriping Job

What's the best way to gather, organize, and send out emails and follow-ups when generating lists of multiple contacts?

The first thing you should do is to understand the workflow and then build a prospect list. Identify prospects that you can convert into leads, and from leads to marketing qualified leads (MQL). Next, identify the ones who are most likely to be your sales-qualified leads and turn them into customers.

But this method might be too labor-intensive for some business owners, so we recommend that you outsource it to someone else. Go to Upwork, oDesk, Fiverr, or any freelancing sites and hire a data scraper to do all the grunt work for you.

Your data scraper can scrape prospective customer names, email addresses, websites, and even physical addresses. You can zero in on a particular zip code, or cast the net wider by scraping data across the state or even nationwide.

You will probably spend around 20 cents for every lead, and you'll want to have the leads recorded on Google Sheets. Once you have that list, then use Google AdWords to run advertising campaigns.

Upload the email list when conducting retargeting campaigns on Google Adwords. Send these leads emails or target them on social media ads. Follow up with a phone call, and once they've warmed up, talk to them about the importance of maintaining their pavement assets.

It's crucial to have a landing page ready from those ads you sent out. That landing page can be a free pavement assessment where interested prospects can fill out a form with their name and email address. You can easily do that if you have a lead capturing solution that turns prospects into marketing qualified leads (MQL).

Once you've established communication with them, they can now be funneled into your list of sales-qualified leads. This is the part where you can offer a proposal to them.

By the way, if you want to write a professional proposal but don't know where or how to start, then check out AK Dash. This is an easy-to-use online tool that lets you create professional proposals that get the results you need.

What about door knocking? Is it still effective to get more customers?

Absolutely, door knocking or door-to-door solicitation is still an effective way to get more customers for your business. But you have to do it properly or it could land you in hot water.

Many cities and counties allow contractors to knock on doors and offer their services to property owners, but soliciting should be done at certain times of the day (between 9 am to 7 pm, for example). In some areas, all solicitors are required to respect the "No Solicitation" sign or risk getting fined by the municipality when the property owner makes a complaint.

To prevent any misunderstanding, always Google the county or municipality rules regarding door-to-door solicitation. The Rio Rancho Commercial and Residential Solicitation Guidelines, for example, is a pretty comprehensive guide on how to do door knocking properly. You'll also learn if you need to secure a solicitation permit before you knock on doors and offer your services.

If you can't find your area's regulations on soliciting online, then it's best to contact your city or municipality itself.

Do I need a business license for my sealcoating business?

Most states do not issue general business licenses, but there are exceptions. States, such as Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Illinois, Nevada, and Washington, require all new business owners to secure some form of general business license before they commence operation.

But in all other states, general licenses to operate a business are managed at the city or county level. 

As for professions requiring a license, we're happy to inform you that no, you don't need to secure a professional license as a sealcoater or crack repair specialist for most states. California contractors, however, need to obtain a C-32 Parking and Highway Improvement Contractor license in order to operate in the state. You also need to secure a license if you’re setting up a sealcoating business in Mississippi.

How do you clean tote spray systems?

The thing that makes cleaning tote spray systems a bit tricky to clean is that they don't have paddle agitation inside the tank. Without a paddle agitation, sealer tends to settle at the bottom of the tote, while solids sometimes stick to its corners.

You can clean the inside of a tote by using a long piece of pipe or a tote agitator. You can use them to agitate the contents of the tote or remove chunks of solidified sealer out.

Once the season is through, empty the tote and flush out any remaining sealer with clean water. Don't dispose of dirty water into the yard or storm drains, though. Store that water and use it again for diluting sealer in the future.

I've been working with an organization within our county for funding purposes and one of the sections of the business plan I'm putting together is "where will the business be located?" Can you tell me the pros and cons of off-site locations versus at your residence?

There are several factors to consider when choosing where your business will be headquartered. Whether you're planning to set it up at your residence or in a commercial area, you need to take into account the location's size, the rent prices (if you're planning to rent or are renting the property), and the area's zoning laws.

Working as an asphalt maintenance specialist involves a lot of equipment and supplies (as well as a lot of waste). Your residence or your chosen commercial location might look nice for you and your customers, but does it have plenty of space for multiple boxes of crack filler or drums of sealer? Does it have a driveway big enough for you to maneuver your truck and any large equipment? Does it have enough space to store a power broom or any other equipment you might own?

Of course, you also need to consider the price of rent at your chosen location. Can you afford to lease a sleek office downtown during your first year in the business and you're trying to break even? Or should you just make your home your headquarters and save money?

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing your business location is your area's zoning laws. Municipalities craft zoning regulations to ensure that a residential, commercial, or industrial area stays as such. No noisy factory or a stinky poultry farm in a residential area or a two-story home right in the middle of a busy industrial area. So before you decide where to set up shop, it's best to research your chosen location's zoning regulations.

Benefits of Having Your Place of Residence as Your Headquarters

• Lower overhead cost (assuming you own the property)
• If your home has a large yard and garage, there's plenty of space for your vehicle, equipment, and supplies
• You'll be working in a place where you are already comfortable in
• Adding another structure in the premises or renovating your headquarters will be relatively hassle-free

Cons of Having Your Place of Residence as Your Headquarters

• You might run afoul of the municipality if zoning laws forbid you from operating an asphalt maintenance business out of your own home 
• Work-life balance might be hard to establish
• Privacy might be an issue if you put up a business sign at home (customers and other random people might think that it's perfectly fine to knock on your door any time since it's your headquarters)
• Your employees or your family members might not enjoy running into each other

Benefits of Having an Off-Site Location

• Having an off-site location makes you look more professional
• You'll have a place where your customers and current/potential business partners can visit comfortably
• You'll have plenty of space for your equipment and supplies if you have a big headquarters

Cons of Having an Off-Site Location

• The overhead will be higher

How do I go about getting contacts with companies (property owners and facility managers)?

You can do it manually by performing a Google search. Simply Google the business name or check LinkedIn to look up the property owner or facility manager's name. If you find this task too tedious, have one of your staff do it for you. You can also outsource data scraping and list building to someone else.

How do I get bids with franchises or big companies?

If you're planning to get bids with large companies or franchises, then the best way is to start at the bottom. Book an appointment with the franchise owner first and once you have your foot in the door, let them know that you'd love to do some work for them.

After doing a good job sealcoating the pavement and repairing cracks, you can approach the franchise owner and tell them that you're looking to scale your business. Ask them if they can connect you with other franchise owners and other people they know.

Start with the nucleus, and work outbound from that. Scale your business that way.