The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Asphalt Subcontractors

Running an asphalt business takes hard work, dedication, and long hours. Whether you are a brand new contractor or a seasoned pro, you will eventually hit a wall. You only have so many hours in the day. You only have so much equipment. If you want to take on bigger jobs and increase your profits, you cannot do everything alone.

This is where building a team comes in. However, putting full-time employees on your payroll can be expensive and risky. That is why many smart business owners choose a different path. Hiring asphalt subcontractors is one of the best ways to scale your business quickly and safely.

When you partner with reliable subcontractors, you can bid on massive commercial parking lots. You can offer new services like line striping or hot mix paving without buying new machines. In this guide, we will break down exactly how to find, screen, and manage the best partners for your business.

Why You Should Consider Hiring Subcontractors

You might be wondering why you should split your profits with someone else. It is a fair question. But working with subcontractors actually helps you make more money in the long run. Here are the top reasons why hiring asphalt subcontractors is a smart business move.

You Can Offer More Services Let us say your business specializes in sealcoating and crack repair. A property manager calls you to fix their parking lot. They want sealcoating, but they also need a huge section of asphalt milled and repaved. If you do not have a paver or a roller, you usually have to say no to the job. If you hire a paving subcontractor, you can say yes. You manage the project, the subcontractor does the paving, and you do the sealcoating. You get to keep the customer and make a profit on the entire job.

You Save Money on Equipment Asphalt equipment is a major investment. A new ride-on blower, an asphalt paver, or a large line striping machine costs thousands of dollars. When you work with a subcontractor, they bring their own tools. You do not have to worry about maintaining or storing extra heavy machinery.

You Have Lower Payroll Costs Full-time employees require a steady paycheck, taxes, and benefits. During the slower winter months, this overhead can hurt your bank account. Subcontractors are different. You only pay them when you have a job for them. This keeps your costs low when business is slow. 

 When is the Right Time to Hire?

Timing is everything in the asphalt industry. If you bring people on too early, things can get messy. If you wait too long, you might lose great customers. Here are the clear signs that it is time to start looking for a subcontractor.

You Are Turning Away Good Work This is the most common sign. If your schedule is booked solid for the next two months, you are losing money every time the phone rings. Instead of telling a new customer that you are too busy, you can hire a subcontractor to handle the overflow work.

Customers Ask for Services You Do Not Provide As we mentioned earlier, property managers love a "one-stop shop." They do not want to hire one guy for patching, one guy for sealcoating, and another guy for line striping. If you notice customers asking for services outside your skill zone, it is time to find a partner.

 You Are Working Too Many Hours Burnout is very real in the asphalt maintenance business. If you are doing the estimates, applying the sealer, handling the invoices, and answering the phones, you will eventually crash. Hiring a subcontractor allows you to step back. You can focus on selling jobs and managing the business while someone else handles the heavy lifting.  

How to Find the Best Subcontractors

Finding reliable people is often the hardest part of the job. You cannot just pick the first name you see in the phone book. You need a trusted partner who respects your business. Here are the best places to look.

Ask Your Local Supply Yard: Your local asphalt plant or sealer supplier is a goldmine for networking. The people working the counter know everyone in town. Ask them who does good work. They know which contractors pay their bills on time and which ones buy high-quality materials.

Check Online Contractor Groups: Facebook and LinkedIn have huge communities of asphalt professionals. Join groups dedicated to asphalt maintenance, sealcoating, and line striping. You can post a message stating that you are looking for subcontractors in your specific city or state.

Talk to Other Business Owners: Networking with non-competing businesses is a great strategy. Talk to local landscapers, snow removal companies, or general contractors. They often work closely with asphalt professionals and can point you in the right direction.

Look at Local Job Sites: Keep your eyes open when you are driving around town. If you see a crew doing a great job on a commercial parking lot, pull over and introduce yourself. Grab their business card. Even if you do not need them today, you might need them next month.

Search the AK Contractor Network: If you want to skip the guesswork and find established professionals in your exact service area, the AK Contractor Network is the ultimate shortcut. This is a dedicated, searchable directory where contractors and property managers connect with top-tier asphalt professionals. You can filter by region and specific services—so whether you need a crew for line striping, infrared patching, or sealcoating, you can find them instantly.

 Pro Tip: Don't just use the directory to find help, make sure your business is listed on it! Join the AK Contractor Network today so other contractors and high-paying property managers can find you when they need to hire a trusted pro.

How to Screen Your New Partners

Your reputation is on the line every time a subcontractor steps onto your job site. If they do a sloppy job, the customer will blame you. That is why screening is the most important step in hiring asphalt subcontractors. Do not skip these steps.

Check Their Insurance and Licenses: This is a strict rule. Never hire a subcontractor who does not have their own insurance. Ask them to send you a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before they start working. Make sure they have General Liability insurance and Workers Compensation. If one of their workers gets hurt on your job site, you want to make sure you are fully protected.

Ask for Past References: A good subcontractor will be proud to show off their work. Ask them for a list of three recent customers. Call those customers and ask a few simple questions. Did the crew show up on time? Were they polite? Did the job hold up well after a few months?

Inspect Their Equipment: You can tell a lot about a contractor by looking at their gear. If their spray tanks are covered in years of dried sealer and their trucks are breaking down, that is a red flag. Professionals take care of their equipment. Neat and clean equipment usually means neat and clean work.

Start With a Small Test Job: Do not give a brand new subcontractor your biggest commercial account right away. Start small. Give them a simple driveway or a small parking lot patch job. Watch how they communicate, how they handle the work, and how they clean up the site. If they pass the test, you can start giving them larger, more profitable jobs. 

Best Practices for Working Together

Once you find a great subcontractor, you want to keep them happy. A strong partnership is built on clear communication and mutual respect. Follow these best practices to ensure your projects run smoothly.

Always Use a Written Contract Never rely on a handshake. You need a Master Subcontractor Agreement. This legal document should outline exactly what is expected from both sides. It must cover the scope of the work, the payment schedule, and who is responsible for providing the materials. If there is ever a disagreement, the contract will protect you.

Set Clear Expectations Early Do not assume the subcontractor knows exactly what you want. Be very specific about the details. What time should they arrive at the job site? What kind of sealer or crack filler should they use? Who is responsible for taping off the concrete sidewalks? Clear instructions prevent costly mistakes.

Pay Them on Time Nothing ruins a good working relationship faster than late payments. Subcontractors have bills to pay and families to feed. If your contract says you will pay them within 14 days of finishing the job, make sure that check goes out on time. If you become known as a business owner who pays quickly, the best subcontractors will always put your jobs first.

Treat Them Like True Partners Your subcontractors are business owners, just like you. Treat them with respect. Do not micro-manage them while they are working. Give them the information they need, get out of their way, and let them do what they do best. When they do a great job, thank them. A little bit of appreciation goes a long way in building loyalty. 

Conclusion

Growing your asphalt business does not mean you have to buy every piece of equipment and hire a massive crew. Hiring asphalt subcontractors gives you the flexibility to grow at your own pace.

By finding reliable partners, screening them carefully, and treating them well, you can take on bigger jobs and maximize your profits. Start building your network today, and watch your business reach new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who buys the materials when working with a subcontractor? This depends on your specific agreement. In many cases, you (the general contractor) will supply the sealer, crack filler, or asphalt. The subcontractor simply provides the labor and equipment. However, some subcontractors prefer to buy their own materials. Make sure this is clearly stated in your written contract.

Do I need to tell my customer that I am using a subcontractor? It is usually best to be honest with your customers. You do not need to make a big deal out of it. You can simply say, "My specialized paving crew will be handling the asphalt repairs, and my team will follow up with the sealcoating." Most customers only care that the job gets done right and that you are managing the project.

How much should I pay an asphalt subcontractor? There is no single answer to this question. Some subcontractors charge an hourly rate, while others charge by the square foot or by the total job. You need to negotiate a price that allows the subcontractor to make money while still leaving a healthy profit margin for your business. Always get a written quote from them before pricing the job for your customer.

What happens if the subcontractor does a bad job? If the subcontractor's work does not meet your standards, they are responsible for fixing it. Your written contract should state that they must correct any mistakes at their own expense. If they refuse to fix the issue, you may have to hire someone else and withhold their payment. This is why screening and starting with small test jobs is so important.