Asphalt Paving Costing Info

[const2005]

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me in regard to pricing for A.C.? In bid tabulations or contract price data (like CA DOT average highway contract prices) AC paving is typically shown as a cost per ton (like $75/ton). Is that a material cost only, or is that an installed cost? If it is a material cost only, is there some generic off-the-cuff figure used for placing (like xx dollars/sq yd/inch of thickness?)

Thanks!

 

[RWF7437]

If it is based on bids received it almost certainly a "cost in place".

 

[woodleigh]

Caltrans average asphalt concrete prices are based on Contract Price ("in place"). They report this data on a quarterly basis. Sounds like you already found the info, if not, it can be found at:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/costinfo.html

Just be careful if you are going to use this info for estimating purposes because as you can see from the table, the average costs have varied widely, primarily due to the volatile price of the binder. To make any kind of sense out of these historical prices, you should examine the asphalt index(s) (i.e. $/ton of binder) for the time period of the historical price(s) you are using, then escalate them up or down depending on what the latest asphalt index is (or is expected). And remember that only about 5% of the weight of the asphalt concrete is binder. A $50/ton variance in the asphalt index correlates to about 1/20th of the affect on the final cost of the asphalt concrete. If you want a rough shod guess of what the cost per ton of binder will be, check the gas prices at the pump. When the cost of binder to $300/ton, the price of gas went to $3.00 gal, when it dropped below that so did gas. The values almost mimic each other (at least in Calif) when you move a decimal over two places and change units.

And to add the 2 cents other posts will surely add, obviously don't forget to account for costs attributable to complexity, haul, size and what color of underwear you are wearing the day you make your estimate.

 

[woodleigh]

Sorry Const2005, I didn't provide my 2 cents on your placement prices as the Caltrans unit prices you referenced were based on "in place". Without accounting for material costs or haul,and for a day with rollers,pavers, crew (not a few guys with rakes and shovels), budget $10k/day plus mob.

Or better yet, give one of your local paving contractors a call and get some feedback.

 

[civilperson]

"In Place" price includes all labor and machinery necessary to achieve specified compaction and finish. Extra costs are tack coat or prime, subgrade construction (cubic yards of aggregate material or square yards of surface finish), striping and traffic control.

 

[LCruiser]

"Extra costs" are frequently (especially in DOT contracts) included in other bid items. Borrow and Excavation to make grade, Subgrade Prep, Tack and Prime, etc. are usually paid for separately.

 

[DRC1]

Costs for paving can varry widely depending on night or day work, machine (paver) work,vs. hand work, total tonnage per mobilization, traffic and lane restrictions. The best source for a rough estimate is a current R.S. Means book, or as woodleigh suggested, a friendly paver.

 

[DavidSB1950]

Notice how nobody said "oh just use $3.75/sf"?. Because the prices are sooo d___n volatile it's like throwing a dart at the board while you're blindfolded. As you can tell, I'm trying to pull a construction estimate together for a residential subdivision w/o contacting contractors I know. They will prob be bidding on the project!... oh well...swag method and a FS will prob. be where I wind up at. Good luck in your estimate