ForConstructionPros.com

Whether you are brand new to the pavement maintenance industry or adding striping as another service of your business many different factors need to be considered. Although the striping industry may be a smaller, niche industry, the array of information and concerns can seem overwhelming. This article is a beginning step for contractors or companies looking to enter into the striping industry.

Learn about your market, your season, your competition
Knowing a market's history and background is a good place to start, says Steve Muellenbach, vice president and general manager of M-B Companies. Another key aspect is knowing how competitive the market is, says Chris Noto, director of products for Speeflo, a Wagner brand.

Knowing how the climate will affect the business is just as important as knowing how competitive a market is, says Tim Wehner, total markets product manager for Graco Inc. Depending on what area of the country a contractor is in will affect how long of a season he has. "They need to understand the amount of time that they'll actually be doing the work. The surface temperature will also need to be considered in order to make sure the paint adheres - issues occur when surface temperatures drop below 40 degrees," Wehner says. In climates with a winter season, contractors need to accept the fact that they will be shut down for a number of months.

Along with climate conditions, contractors should be aware of when and how long they will be working. "Night work is not uncommon," Wehner says. "You have to be super flexible."

Robert Liles, of Robert Liles Parking Lot Service, suggests talking to property owners or managers, paving contractors, or general contractors about the market. He also suggests asking if they are happy with their current striping contractors. Liles, a speaker at the National Pavement Expo (NPE) shows and a member of the Pavement Advisory Board, also points out that prices paid by government entities are public record. "You can find awarded bids and calculate rates from that information," Liles says. "This will help determine what the 'going rates' are for your area."