How to Bid Crack Filling Jobs: Win More Contracts with Accurate Estimates

Crack filling looks simple until you try pricing a 400,000-square-foot parking lot with thousands of linear feet of damage. Then you're standing there with a measuring wheel, wondering if there's a better way.

There is. Understanding how to bid crack filling requires three things: accurate measurement, realistic cost calculations, and pricing that protects your margins without scaring off clients. This guide breaks down each step so you can submit competitive bids with confidence.

How to Bid Crack Filling Jobs: At a Glance

Why Crack Filling Bids Need Extra Attention

Most paving work involves clear square footage calculations. Crack filling doesn't work that way. You're measuring linear feet across irregular patterns like fatigue cracking, estimating depths you can't always see, and accounting for crack widths that vary from hairline to an inch wide.

Experienced contractors call crack filling estimation an “educated, experienced guess.” That's honest, but you can get your guesses a lot closer to reality with the right approach.

The stakes are real. Underbid a large crack filling job, and you'll burn through material and labor while your margins evaporate. Overbid, and the property manager picks your competitor. Either way, you lose.

How to Measure Cracks for Accurate Bidding

The measuring wheel method

For driveways and small parking lots, walking the entire surface with a measuring wheel works fine. Trace each crack and record the total linear footage. This method takes time, but it gives you exact numbers for your estimate.

Document everything while you measure. Note crack widths (hairline, 1/4", 1/2", 1"+) and approximate depths. You'll need this information to calculate material quantities and adjust your pricing.

The sample area method for large jobs

Here's the trick seasoned contractors use on massive lots: Measure a representative section, then multiply.

Pick a 30 x 30-foot area that represents typical cracking conditions across the property. Count every linear foot of cracks within that 900-square-foot sample. Then calculate the total lot square footage and multiply accordingly.

For example, if your 900-square-foot sample contains 45 linear feet of cracks, and the total lot measures 100,000 square feet, your calculation looks like this:

• 100,000 ÷ 900 = 111.11 (number of sample areas in the lot)
• 111.11 × 45 = roughly 5,000 linear feet of cracks

This method isn't perfect, but it beats spending two days walking every crack in a shopping center parking lot. For added accuracy, measure 2-3 sample areas in different sections and average the results.

Using a crack fill calculator

Online tools like a crack fill calculator can speed up your material estimates. Input your total linear feet, average crack width, and average depth, and the calculator returns the pounds or gallons of filler you'll need.

These calculators work best after you've measured the site. They won't replace the site visit, but they help you translate linear footage into material quantities quickly.

How to Calculate Material Costs

Your material costs depend on two choices: hot-pour or cold-pour crack filler.

Hot pour crack filler

Hot pour filler (also called rubberized crack sealant) costs more upfront but delivers better long-term results. A 30‑pound block typically covers 150–200 linear feet of standard 1/2" × 1/2" cracks, based on typical manufacturer coverage rates. 

That usually works out to roughly $0.15–$0.30 per linear foot in material costs, depending on your product and local pricing.

The catch? You need melting equipment to apply it. If you don't already own a melter applicator, factor in equipment costs or rental fees.

Hot pour repairs last 5–10 years when applied correctly. That longevity matters when you're pitching repeat maintenance contracts. Fewer repeat repairs also reduce the environmental impact of asphalt.

Cold pour crack filler

Cold pour filler comes ready to apply from the container. Coverage varies by brand and crack size, but a 5‑gallon bucket typically covers roughly 300–500 linear feet of standard 1/2" × 1/2" cracks, with some products rated around 315 LF per pail and others higher. 

At typical price points, that puts material costs in the ballpark of $0.10–$0.40 per linear foot, not including labor or prep.

The upside: no special equipment required. The downside: cold pour contains more water and less rubber, so repairs typically last about 1–3 years rather than 5–10 in most conditions.

Cold pour makes sense for smaller residential jobs, low‑traffic areas, or when you're testing the market before investing in hot pour equipment. 

On a pure material‑only basis, both hot and cold products often land in a similar ballpark per linear foot when you compare typical coverage and unit pricing. 

Over the life of the pavement, though, hot‑applied sealants usually deliver a lower effective cost per foot because they support faster production and last longer between treatments, while cold pour often requires more frequent re‑treatments and slower application.

Backer rod for deep cracks

Cracks deeper than 1/2 inch need backer material before you apply filler. Sand or foam backer rod fills the void, so your crack filler doesn't sink below the surface. Budget for this material on jobs with significant deep cracking.

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Labor calculations start with your production rate, which varies dramatically based on equipment type. Manual crack filling crews typically fill approximately 100 linear feet per hour, while mechanized equipment significantly increases productivity. 

Hand‑push melter‑applicators can achieve daily production of 3,200–4,800 linear feet or more on typical jobs. Under sustained operation, this translates to approximately 400–600 linear feet per hour, depending on equipment model and operator experience. 

In practice, real-world field production is usually lower once you factor in setup, crack cleaning, movement between cracks, and refills. Most contractors report 400–600 linear feet per hour with hand‑push equipment on typical parking lot work.

Large automated crack sealing systems on roadway projects can handle 15,000–20,000 or more linear feet per day, depending on lane miles, crack density, and traffic control. Production rates also vary based on:

• Crack density and accessibility
• Surface preparation needs
• Equipment type (manual wand, hand-push machine, or automated melter system)
• Weather conditions during paving season
• Crew experience

Surface prep often takes as long as the filling itself. Dirty cracks need cleaning with wire brushes, blowers, and debris removal before filler can bond properly. On older lots with years of accumulated dirt, prep time can double your labor hours.

Sample labor calculation (manual application)

Let's say you're bidding on a commercial lot with an estimated 2,000 linear feet of cracks. Your crew rate is $75 per hour, and you're applying crack filler manually, averaging 100 linear feet per hour.

• Fill time: 2,000 ÷ 100 = 20 hours
• Prep time (estimate 50% of fill time): 10 hours
• Total labor hours: 30 hours
• Labor cost: 30 × $75 = $2,250

If using mechanized equipment: With a hand‑push melter‑applicator averaging 500–1,000 linear feet per hour in real‑world conditions, fill time for 2,000 linear feet drops to 2–4 hours, plus prep time. 

This still dramatically reduces labor costs on larger jobs compared to a fully manual application, which is why investing in equipment pays off for contractors doing regular crack filling work.

How to Set Your Pricing

Per linear foot pricing

Most crack filling contractors price by the linear foot. Industry rates range from $0.50 to $3.00 per linear foot, depending on:

• Geographic region
• Job size (larger jobs typically get lower per-foot rates)
• Crack severity
• Material type (hot pour vs. cold pour)
• Competitive pressure

Many contractors use $1.00 per linear foot as a baseline for standard residential and commercial work. Jobs with severe cracking, difficult access, or premium hot pour materials command higher rates.

Per square foot pricing for large lots

Some contractors quote large parking lots by the square foot instead of the linear foot. This approach simplifies bidding on massive properties where measuring every crack isn't practical.

Square-foot pricing for crack filling varies significantly by crack density and severity. When combined with other services, like sealcoating, total maintenance costs typically range from $0.60 to $0.90 per square foot.

For crack filling as a standalone service, evaluate your measured linear footage against total square footage to determine your effective per-square-foot rate, ensuring it covers your costs plus margin.

Volume discounts

Larger jobs should carry lower per-unit pricing: Your mobilization costs (equipment transport, setup, travel time) spread across more linear feet on big projects. Pass some of that efficiency to clients through volume pricing, and you'll win more large contracts.

Minimum job charges

Small jobs eat margins: A 50-foot driveway crack repair might take 30 minutes of work, but it still requires driving to the site, unloading equipment, and all the associated overhead.

Set a minimum job charge ($150 to $300, depending on your market) to ensure small projects remain profitable.

Building Your Estimate: A Step-by-Step Example

Here's what the complete bidding process looks like for a commercial parking lot.

Job details:

• 50,000-square-foot parking lot
• Moderate cracking (estimated 1,500 linear feet based on sample measurements)
• Standard 1/2" wide × 1/2" deep cracks
• Hot pour filler requested

Material calculation:

• 1,500 linear feet ÷ 175 feet per 30 lb block (midpoint of 150–200 LF range) = 8.6 blocks
• Round up to 9 blocks × $30 per block = $270

Note: If you prefer to stay conservative for waste and overage, you might still budget 10–11 blocks. Some contractors budget conservatively at 120–130 LF per block to account for waste, but typical manufacturer specifications show 150–200 LF per 30 lb block.

Labor calculation:

• Fill time: 1,500 ÷ 100 = 15 hours
• Prep time: 8 hours
• Total: 23 hours × $75/hour = $1,725

Additional costs:

• Transportation and mobilization: $200
• Equipment wear and supplies: $100
• Total direct costs: $2,415

Margin calculation:

• Target margin: 40%
• Final bid: $2,415 ÷ 0.60 = $4,025

This works out to about $2.68 per linear foot or $0.08 per square foot, both within normal market ranges for commercial work.

Note: This example uses conservative coverage rates for hot pour crack filler. In practice, 30‑pound blocks of hot‑applied sealant often cover 150–200 linear feet of 1/2" × 1/2" cracks per 30 pounds, but many contractors build in extra material to account for waste and wider or deeper cracks. 

Block sizes typically range from 25 to 35 pounds, with 30‑pound boxes being most common in the industry. Coverage rates and pricing vary by block size and brand.

This calculation also assumes manual crack filling. With mechanized equipment, production rates increase significantly, reducing labor hours and costs.

Common Bidding Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some typical mistakes when it comes to bidding:

Underestimating prep time

New contractors consistently underestimate how long surface preparation takes. Cleaning, routing (if required), and debris removal can consume 30–50% of total job time on older surfaces. Build this into every estimate.

Ignoring crack width variations

A 1/4" crack uses less material than a 1" crack, but many estimators use a single average for the entire job. If you spot significant width variation during your site visit, measure each category separately and calculate materials accordingly.

Forgetting mobilization costs

Every job carries fixed costs, including driving to the site, setting up equipment, and loading and unloading. Small jobs need higher per-foot pricing to cover these costs. Large jobs can absorb mobilization across more billable work.

Bidding too tight on material

Round up your material estimates: Running out of crack filler mid-job means stopping work, driving to the supplier, and losing productive hours. A few extra blocks or buckets cost less than the time you'll waste on an unplanned supply run.

What to Include in Your Proposal

A professional proposal helps you win contracts, even against lower-priced competitors. Property managers and business owners want confidence that the job will be done right. Include these elements:

1. Scope of work: Describe exactly what you’ll do (clean cracks, apply filler, specific areas covered) and what you won’t do (sealcoating, patching, striping).
2. Materials: Specify hot pour vs. cold pour, brand name if applicable, and expected durability.
3. Timeline: When will you complete the work? How long will areas be blocked off?
4. Warranty: Offer a 1–2 year warranty on workmanship. It builds trust and differentiates you from competitors who disappear after cashing the check.
5. Payment terms: Be clear about deposit requirements, payment schedule, and accepted methods.
6. Insurance: Mention your liability coverage. Commercial clients often require certificates of insurance before work begins.

Getting Paid Faster

Submit invoices promptly after completing work: Include before-and-after photos showing the improvement. Make payment convenient by accepting multiple methods.

For larger projects, consider progress billing: 30% deposit, 50% at midpoint, 20% at completion. This improves cash flow and reduces your risk on big contracts.

Build Your Crack Filling Business with OneCrew

Knowing how to bid crack filling jobs accurately is half the battle. The other half is running your business efficiently enough to deliver on those bids profitably.

OneCrew helps paving contractors manage the complete project lifecycle from first estimate to final invoice. Here's how the platform supports your bidding and operations:

• Faster, more consistent estimates: The estimating tools let you build detailed bids using customizable templates that capture all your costs. Train new estimators in weeks instead of months by giving them a structured system to follow.
• Site mapping and measurement: Upload site plans or use mapping features to document job scope clearly. Keep measurements, photos, and notes organized in one place for each project.
• Streamlined proposals: Create professional proposals that include scope, pricing, and terms. Clients can review and approve through the customer portal without chasing paperwork.
• Job costing that protects your margins: Track actual labor and material usage against your estimates. Identify which jobs make money and which ones don't, so you can refine future bids.
• Scheduling and dispatch: The scheduling features coordinate crew assignments across multiple crack filling and maintenance jobs. Field management tools keep everyone on the same page without endless phone calls.
• Invoicing and payment collection: Generate invoices from completed work orders using the invoicing features and collect payment through the customer portal. No more waiting weeks for checks to arrive.

Learning how to bid crack filling is easier when your estimating data flows into scheduling, job costing, and invoicing without manual entry at every step. OneCrew connects those pieces for paving contractors of any size.

Ready to bid smarter and run tighter operations? Book a demo to see how OneCrew fits your business.

FAQs

1. How do you measure cracks for a crack filling bid?

You measure cracks for a crack filling bid by tracking total linear feet. Use a measuring wheel for small sites, or measure a sample area and multiply for large lots.

2. How much should you charge per linear foot for crack filling?

You should charge per linear foot for crack filling based on crack severity, material type, prep time, and job size. Many contractors price by the linear foot and adjust up for wider, deeper, or dirtier cracking.

3. How do you calculate material quantities for crack filling?

You calculate material quantities for crack filling by converting linear feet into product coverage. Use your measured footage, then estimate based on average crack width and depth so you don’t run short mid-job.

4. How do you estimate labor hours for crack filling?

You estimate labor hours for crack filling by using your crew’s production rate and adding prep time. Count cleaning and debris removal as real labor because prep often matches the filling time.

5. What should you include in a crack filling proposal?

You should include scope of work, materials, timeline, warranty, payment terms, and insurance details in a crack filling proposal. Clear inclusions and exclusions prevent change orders and pricing disputes later.