If you’re managing a commercial property on Long Island—whether it’s a retail plaza in Garden City, a school in Hauppauge, or an industrial site near Ronkonkoma—you know how important a smooth, durable asphalt surface is to safety and curb appeal. But hiring the wrong contractor can turn what should be a smart investment into a costly mistake.
Here are seven common mistakes to avoid when hiring a commercial asphalt contractor in Long Island—and how to make sure your next paving project is built to last.
Key Takeaways
- The wrong contractor can’t handle commercial jobs and often causes problems like cracking or drainage failures.
- Local laws, permits, and codes must be followed to avoid fines, delays, or project shutdowns.
- A low price without clear details often means skipped steps and poor results that won’t last.
- Good paving work needs maintenance plans, proper drainage, and a contractor with local experience and solid references.
1. Choosing a Contractor Without Experience in Commercial-Scale Projects
One of the biggest missteps we see is property owners hiring residential-focused contractors for commercial jobs. Commercial paving in Long Island—especially in areas like Melville or Patchogue where lots see high vehicle traffic—requires different equipment, crew size, and engineering knowledge.
A contractor who’s only handled driveways may not be prepared to manage the structural demands of large-scale parking lots or industrial yards. This often leads to drainage issues, premature cracking, or uneven compaction that can ruin your investment.
2. Ignoring Local Permitting and Code Compliance
Each township on Long Island has its regulations around asphalt paving, from required base depths to ADA compliance for parking lot striping. A contractor unfamiliar with Suffolk or Nassau County guidelines can put your project at risk for delays, fines, or even forced rework.
For example, Hempstead’s building department has strict specs for drainage design, while Islip requires engineered site plans for large commercial lots.
Hiring a company that doesn’t handle permitting in-house is a red flag—they may be cutting corners or relying on you to figure out the paperwork.
3. Failing to Verify Proper Insurance and Licensing
Too many property managers assume a contractor is fully insured without asking for documentation. But not every asphalt company working on Long Island carries the right liability and workers’ comp coverage for commercial jobs.
If something goes wrong—like a crew member getting injured or a piece of heavy equipment damaging nearby property in Sayville—you could be left financially exposed.
Always request a valid Certificate of Insurance and confirm their Nassau or Suffolk contractor license is active and specific to paving, not just general construction.
4. Going With the Lowest Bid Without Understanding What’s Included
A low bid may look appealing, but it often signals cut corners or missing scope.
On Long Island, some contractors quote thin asphalt layers or skip essential base prep to keep prices down—especially in competitive areas like Huntington Station or Massapequa. That leads to early surface failures, rutting under heavy vehicles, or puddling during spring thaws.
Make sure every quote clearly outlines materials, thicknesses, grading, and whether services like sealcoating or line striping are included.
A detailed proposal protects you from surprise add-ons and subpar work.
5. Not Asking About Long-Term Maintenance Plans
A good commercial asphalt job doesn’t end when the roller leaves the site. Especially with Long Island’s coastal weather and heavy snow removal needs, your pavement needs regular sealcoating, sweeping, crack filling, and inspections to last.
If your contractor doesn’t offer ongoing maintenance—or worse, they don’t bring it up—it usually means they’re not thinking about the long-term value of your lot.
The best contractors build relationships, not just surfaces.
They should be able to map out a maintenance schedule that fits your budget and traffic patterns, whether you’re running a busy shopping center in Riverhead or a church parking lot in Bay Shore.
6. Overlooking the Importance of Proper Drainage Design
Drainage might not be the first thing you think about when paving, but on Long Island, where we get heavy rains and snowmelt, it’s one of the most important. Poor grading or inadequate catch basins can cause standing water, which breaks down asphalt fast—especially in areas like Port Jefferson or Freeport that deal with saltwater intrusion.
A seasoned commercial asphalt contractor should evaluate your site’s slope, runoff, and existing drainage infrastructure before breaking ground.
If they don’t bring up water management, that’s a serious oversight.
7. Hiring a Company That Doesn’t Offer References From Local Commercial Clients
Anyone can say they do commercial work, but the real test is seeing how their projects hold up over time. Ask for references from Long Island businesses with similar needs—like shopping centers in Smithtown, apartment complexes in Great Neck, or industrial facilities near Farmingdale.
If a contractor struggles to provide recent, relevant examples with awards, it could mean they don’t have the experience they claim.
Talking to past clients for testimonials also gives you insight into how the crew performs on-site, how they handle disruptions to business, and whether the finished product actually lasts.
Get Commercial Paving Done Right the First Time
If you manage a commercial property on Long Island, you don’t have time—or budget—to deal with asphalt jobs done halfway. From the cold winters in Commack to the heavy traffic in Mineola, your pavement has to be tough, compliant, and professionally installed.
At Royal Pavement Solutions, we specialize in commercial asphalt work designed for Long Island’s unique conditions. We handle everything from municipal permitting to proper base installation and long-term maintenance plans.
Our crews have paved everything from school lots in Brentwood to distribution centers in Holbrook, and we always stand behind our work.
Don’t risk costly asphalt repairs or failed inspections.
Call today to schedule a site evaluation or request a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a commercial asphalt project usually take on Long Island?
Most commercial paving jobs take between two and five days. We plan carefully to avoid delays and keep your business running during work at properties like shopping centers or office parks.
What time of year is best for commercial asphalt work on Long Island?
Late spring through early fall is ideal due to warmer, steadier temperatures. We avoid cold snaps and wet weather that could affect compaction or curing on lots across Nassau and Suffolk.
Can you handle phasing for large or multi-tenant commercial properties?
Yes, we break larger jobs into phases to allow continued access for tenants, deliveries, or customers. We regularly do phased paving for retail plazas, apartment complexes, and industrial parks.
Do you offer pavement marking and signage installation?
Yes, we handle line striping, ADA-compliant markings, directional arrows, and signposts. Clear layout and compliance are especially important for busy lots in places like Hauppauge or Hicksville.
