MakeHay blog

Estimating and measuring guides

How to measure a job and estimate the materials and hours it takes: sealer, asphalt tonnage, plow time, startup costs and more, with the math shown.

IndustryTopic

Sealcoating
How Much Sealer Do I Need? Coverage, Sand, Water and Coats
How much sealer do I need for a driveway or lot: concentrate versus mixed coverage from the data sheet, sand and water per 100 gallons, coats, and drums.
October 13, 2026 · 11 min read
Pressure washing
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Pressure Washing Business?
How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business: an itemized list priced from dated retailer and manufacturer pages, insurance, and $0 software.
October 13, 2026 · 10 min read
Parking lot maintenance
Parking Lot Maintenance Schedule: A Year-Round Plan by Month
A parking lot maintenance schedule for the whole year: sweeping, crack sealing, sealcoating, restriping, patching and snow, with the interval behind each.
October 13, 2026 · 10 min read
Gutters
How to Price Gutter Cleaning Per Linear Foot (From Above)
How to price gutter cleaning per linear foot: footage from a roof outline instead of a ladder, the second-story premium, and a spring and fall plan.
October 12, 2026 · 11 min read
Pressure washing
How to Estimate a Pressure Washing Job Without a Site Visit
How to estimate a pressure washing job without a site visit: measure the surface from satellite, apply per square foot rates, add chemical and travel.
October 12, 2026 · 11 min read
Asphalt paving
How to Calculate Asphalt Tonnage for a Driveway or Lot
How to calculate asphalt tonnage from square feet and compacted depth, with waste, a driveway and a lot example, and where to find what a ton costs.
October 12, 2026 · 11 min read
Snow plowing
How Long Does It Take to Plow a Parking Lot? Per Acre Math
How long does it take to plow a parking lot? Blade width, speed by snow depth, turns and stacking turned into truck hours per acre and a per push price.
October 12, 2026 · 11 min read