While you prep estimates and bids for the 2026 construction season, you may be seeing a trend. It’s not your imagination and your peers offered some help.
Commercial contractors performing non-DOT work have seen a trend toward mix design specs and QC/QA parameters in contracts. Prepping the bid (and prepping to execute the project) increasingly involves attention to new requirements. Requirements like achieving a percentage of density or using a specific mix that used to be only for DOT projects. For example, 2025 was the first year Bryce Wuori of Pavewise Inc. worked on a commercial project requiring a custom PWL spec.
How do you work in this new paradigm?
One way is to work “with” the engineering firms that are advising owners to help them understand logical limitations. Don’t have an “in” with the local engineering firm that’s been guiding the state? Another way is to beef up your quality control efforts to meet rising standards. Another way is to read the “Private Specs” article from the January issue of AsphaltPro Magazine to see how your peers are adapting to and succeeding with stricter requirements on commercial work (see the link below).
Also make sure to stop by the AsphaltPro booth GL30901 in the grand lobby during CONEXPO-CON/AGG this March 3-7 to visit with paving professionals during our Ask the Expert sessions. Both Bill Stanley and Bryce Wuori, featured in the article referenced herein, will be on hand at scheduled times to answer questions and share ideas.
If you have an estimator, QC/QA tech, or other manager who would benefit from this week’s tip, please feel free to forward it to each/all of them!
Get tips like this delivered to your inbox each week when you subscribe to our Toolbox Tips newsletter!