Building A Commercial Parking Lot- Ins and Outs of Cost
When making plans for a building or structure, regardless of the size and type, one factor that is oftentimes an afterthought is parking. Parking and all related costs can come as a surprise if it is not planned for, especially when you take into account the costs of hardscape like paving, removal of old or outdated materials, and more. By planning, one can make informed decisions in the design and construction process.
There are several factors to consider when planning and building a parking area. These are things like permitting, size and use, site preparation, materials, local labor costs, installations, lighting, security upgrades, and maintenance. On average, the cost of a parking area is roughly $3-6 USD per square foot. It should be noted that the costs vary depending on the area and local costs. All things mentioned for costs are estimates and should be calculated specific to areas and local costs.
Factors Affecting the Costs of Parking Builds
There are many factors that go into planning and building a parking area that impact the overall costs of the project. Consideration to these factors is important for budgeting and having a buffer for the just in case part of projects.
Permitting and City Approvals
Permitting is an important factor and is required for all builds regardless of location. This is even more true when building in urban areas. Permitting allows for the building and access to services that are essential to the construction process. If zoning or permitting is not done, a project will be shut down until the proper channels are followed.
Use and Size of Parking Area
On average, a parking lot that is used as public parking will typically cost more than one used for business purposes. This is because public spaces have more traffic and a wider variety of cars and weights of vehicles. There are also different things that go into parking areas that handle smaller or larger vehicles. In addition to the basics, there are other features that can add to the overall costs of a parking area in relation to use and size. These include, but are not limited to, overall size, curb installs, gutters ro catch rainfall, medians, entrances and exits, sidewalks, and landscaping. As there are no cookie cutter parking areas, each will have its one unique set of features that make the costs different depending on location and design.
Preparations and Overall Accessibility
Is the parking area new? Is it being updated? Depending on whether or not this is new construction or an update, the cost of the installation and work will vary. Newer construction is a bit more pricey because the lot area required more work such as leveling, clearing, and grading. Overall accessibility is a key factor as well. How easy is it to get the equipment and machinery to the location? If there needs to be a road access point created and other landscape features changed to get to the location, this will increase the overall costs with building. However, if the job is simple enough and can have smaller tools and equipment to build the lot, things will be much easier and cost effective.
Paving Materials
One of the biggest expenses in the installation of a parking area is the paving materials. There are several factors that go into the cost such as thickness of the paving material, grade, complexity, and the overall material. Typically the cost of the paving material is pretty consistent, however, it is wise to check with local businesses to find the right price point for your budget.
Labor
It should be noted that local labor rates vary based on location and overall cost of living in the area. However, the cost of labor is another cost that is a major expense to the installation of parking areas. It is important to find a contractor that is reliable and has a reputable reputation for quality work that is done in a reasonable amount of time.
Other Installation Features
There are other features that can go into a parking area that are beneficial, but also have a price. These can be signage, lighting, and added security measures. In order to keep to code with local authorities and ADA, the parking area may need to have specialized markings to dedicate parking areas and space to meet requirements to abide by all laws and guidelines on local, state, and federal levels. Having the right markings are important in order to stay up to code and avoid fees and fines. Signs are also essential to aid in organizing a parking area, and notifying users of important parking information like lot numbers, size, and names.
Lighting is an essential part of a parking area. It looks great, adds professional appeal, and also increases the overall safety and security of the parking areas especially at night. In addition to lighting, the installation of cameras and equipment that can track or monitor parking lot activities can greatly increase a user’s overall feeling of safety and security. These can be integrated into a smart parking system that can create user reports and also communicate with local towing and law enforcement if needed.
Maintenance of an Installed Lot
After addressing and thinking about all of the above factors that can impact the cost of a parking area update or install, the upkeep and maintenance of the area should be considered. The nicest of plans and designs can look great at the start, but if regular maintenance and care can not be performed, the lot will quickly lack quality. Maintenance to consider is the normal wear and tear such as cracks, potholes, repainting, and light replacements. However, the unplanned should also have a buffer such as accidents, and natural disasters. Hiring a company to keep the upkeep of the parking area is a great way to reduce the stress of keeping it up yourself and having the contracted company be the ones to do the maintenance.
For more information about ways to improve an already existing parking area or a new build, be sure to contact one of ParkingBadge’s expert staff who are at the ready to assist with designs and suggestions for the parking area. This includes the installation of smart technology to upgrade a parking area with ready to use digital parking software.
ParkingBadge parking management software and mobile app is an interactive cloud-based platform that allows property owners and property managers to efficiently and conveniently manage their parking facility. With innovative Parking Management Solutions, operators can maximize their parking, maintain tenant and user accountability, enforce their rules and regulations, increase efficiency, and generate revenWant to find out more about ParkingBadge’s innovative digital parking permit software? Request a demo now! https://parkingbadge.com/request-demo/
