Asphalt Sealcoating
Every parking lot in America needs this every 3 years — and most forget to call
Asphalt sealcoating companies apply a protective coating to parking lots, driveways, and commercial surfaces to extend their lifespan and prevent cracking. Jobs run $200–$3,000 depending on square footage. Startup costs are under $30K for basic equipment. Margins are exceptional because sealant costs pennies per square foot while jobs bill dollars. Seasonal in northern climates (spring–fall); sunbelt operators work year-round.
Avg Revenue
$350K
Profit Margin
35%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 3x
Startup Cost
$20K - $100K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
You bid on jobs (driveways, parking lots, commercial properties), pressure-clean the surface, apply sealcoat via squeegee or spray machine, add line striping, and collect payment — same day. A two-person crew can complete 3–5 residential jobs per day or 1–2 large commercial jobs. Commercial accounts (property managers, HOAs, shopping centers) provide predictable recurring revenue every 2–4 years.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 238990 · All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | SC | $3.0M | $3.6M | 30 | — |
| Dec 2025 | SC | $500K | $588K | 30 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $5.0M | $5.9M | 18 | — |
| Dec 2025 | WA | $1.1M | $1.4M | 10 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $150K | $177K | 8 | — |
| Dec 2025 | FL | $891K | $1.0M | 8 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NV | $4.0M | $4.7M | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | NV | $250K | $294K | 2 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $500K | $588K | 20 | — |
| Dec 2025 | TX | $2.9M | $3.4M | 20 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Very low startup cost — under $30K to begin; under $100K for full commercial setup
- +High margin: sealant material costs $0.03–$0.08/sq ft, jobs bill $0.25–$0.50+/sq ft
- +Recurring by nature — every sealed lot needs resealing every 2–4 years
- +Simple to learn and systemize — no special license required
Cons
- -Hard seasonal limitation in northern climates (roughly April–October only)
- -Weather-dependent: rain during or after application ruins the job
- -Residential work has high churn; commercial accounts require competitive bidding
Best For
First-time buyers or owner-operators looking for a low-capital service business with fast cash flow and easy systemization
Operating Costs
Materials (sealant) run 15–25% of revenue. Add labor (1–2 workers), a trailer, squeegees or spray machine, and a truck. A solo operator can clear $80K–$120K in a strong season running only residential jobs.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find asphalt and paving businesses for sale
Browse sealcoating and paving company acquisition opportunities
Many small sealcoating operators sell equipment and client lists informally
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $525K–$1.1M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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