Judson Burdon

Having your own sealcoating business has always been your dream. But the problem is you don't know where to begin or who to turn to for help in starting your new venture. You're probably the first entrepreneur in your family. Or you're shifting careers after 10 or 15 years, and you can't help but feel like you're a fish out of water.

Okay, first, take it easy. Rest assured that you landed in the right website, and there are people in the industry willing to help you get your business of the ground. You can also use this Asphalt Kingdom blog to learn about everything you need to start your own sealcoating business. Here are those crucial things you need to have before you launch your pavement asset management business.

Table of Contents

• Knowledge of how asphalt maintenance services work
• Adequate startup capital
• A memorable business name
• A polished business plan
• Have the correct legal structure
• Register your business
• Have a reliable supplier
• Sufficient insurance
• Trained and reliable employees
• Business bank accounts
• Online presence
• Reliable transportation

1. Alligator cracking is one of the most common types of damage you see in asphalt

You've definitely seen them before on your own or on other people's asphalt. Extensive cracks on a driveway or parking lot that resemble the skin of an alligator or a crocodile.

Potholes. They don't just ruin parking lots and driveways. They are also a hazard to you, your family, or customers. Potholes can damage cars, injure someone, and are very costly to property owners if neglected. 

Line striping is one of the very few businesses that has low set-up costs, is pretty easy to do, and is needed by nearly every business, offering a consistent demand. It's also a solid way to work outdoors, set your own hours, and make good money.

But hey — just wanting to do it isn’t enough, right? Just like any business, there are some hurdles to jump, like the banking and legal stuff — oh, and learning how to actually line stripe.

So how do you make it happen? Here is the complete, step-by-step guide to help you get started (and succeed) in the business.

P.S. This is a bit of a long ride, but that’s for a very good reason — we want to make sure you have everything you need to know to do this the right way, the first time. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to start (and keep) a lucrative line striping business. Stick with us for the ride, but only if you're serious about this.

The past year and a half brought a lot of changes in the asphalt maintenance industry. Some of them were great. Other changes, like the supply chain issues on line striping paint – and crackfiller for our Canadian neighbors – have put stress on your business's ability to do the work. Luckily, asphalt maintenance is one of those evergreen businesses that doesn't depend on trends nor is it severely affected by economic downturns. 

The 2021 National Pavement Expo is online this year, which makes it more available to everyone. With no travel, no time off, and no hotels, you can access all the virtual expo features from your desk.

Should you top asphalt on your blacktop parking lot or driveway with a fresh coat of paving, or repair it? This is the big money question that people want to know the answer to. And not by asking someone who stands to make a lot of money by saying it is time for a repave! So how can you tell with your own two eyes? Look at the damage, step-by-step, like this:

Using tar asphalt to maintain and protect your blacktop is vital to the long-life of your driveway. Knowing when you need to sealcoat asphalt is the key. You want to save money by doing the proper upkeep, but you do not want to waste your hard-earned dollars if the driveway is in good shape.

Have you ever been stuck looking at a parking lot full of cracks with no idea how much material you'll need to fill them all?  There's nothing worse than only getting a job half-done because you didn't plan for the right amount of crack filler.

The smartest way to expand your sealcoating business is to add line striping parking lot lines. This gives you the perfect opportunity to add to your customer base by servicing businesses.