Disclaimer
Every figure on this site is a planning estimate calculated from nominal values. This page sets out precisely what that means for quantities, prices, design guidance and regulatory references.
The core position
Every number on this site is a planning estimate. None of it is engineering advice, a professional specification, or a quotation. Verify quantities with your supplier and specifications with a qualified engineer before committing to a purchase or a construction.
Quantity estimates
Tonnage, weight, volume and coverage figures are calculated from nominal in-place densities and the dimensions you enter. They will differ from reality because of:
- Mix design variation. Your plant's actual density may differ from the nominal figure by several percent, depending on aggregate specific gravity and binder content.
- Compaction achieved. The specification target and the field result are not always the same.
- Measurement accuracy. Site dimensions taken with a tape carry real tolerance, especially on long or irregular runs.
- Subgrade variation. Uneven subgrade consumes more material than a flat calculation predicts.
- Placement practice. Hand work, tapers and edge detail all consume material that geometry does not account for.
This is what the waste buffer exists for. Always confirm the final order quantity with your supplier.
Price estimates
Pricing on this site is compiled from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index, published state DOT bid tabulations and regional contractor quotations. It is indicative and it goes out of date. Actual pricing depends on your distance from a plant, the season, the size of your order, site access and local competition. Nothing on this site is an offer to sell at any price.
Design and specification guidance
Thickness, layer and mix guidance on this site reflects widely used general practice. It is not a pavement design. Public roads, commercial parking and anything requiring a permit need a structural design produced by a qualified engineer working from measured subgrade properties and design traffic loading, in accordance with the applicable national or state specification.
Regulatory matters
Requirements for permits, accessible parking, fire access, stormwater management, setbacks, and material restrictions vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Any regulatory reference on this site is background information only. Confirm current requirements with your local authority before you build.
Safety
Asphalt paving involves material above 250 °F, heavy plant and moving vehicles. Nothing on this site is a safe-working procedure. Hot mix causes severe burns; fumes require ventilation and respiratory assessment; compaction equipment causes crush injuries. If you are not trained and equipped, engage a contractor.
Third-party information
We link to standards bodies, agencies and associations to let you verify our figures at source. We do not control that content and are not responsible for it. Where a standard has been revised since our last review, the standard governs, not our summary of it.
Errors
We check every figure against at least two independent sources and verify every calculation against a worked example. Errors still happen. If you find one, please tell us — we correct promptly and update the review date.