The pavement maintenance industry has long lacked the kind of detailed, segment-specific benchmarks that contractors need to measure their performance against peers. That gap began closing in 2013 when Pavement Preservation & Maintenance magazine launched its first Top Contractor survey. By 2014, participation had surged dramatically — with more than 150 contractors submitting data, up from fewer than 100 the year before. For contractors wondering where they stand, understanding how these lists work and why they matter is essential knowledge. Before diving into the survey methodology, it is worth understanding Who Should Apply for a Building Permit Owner responsibilities, as contractor qualifications often hinge on proper licensing and permit processes at the state and local level.
The Growth of the 2014 Top Contractor Survey
The 2014 Top Contractor survey represented a major step forward for industry data collection. In just its second year, the survey experienced significant increases across every metric — submitted forms, qualifying companies, and reported dollar volumes. Four of the five service segment lists expanded from 50 to 75 contractors, while the sweeping list jumped from 10 to 25 contractors. The goal, according to the editors behind the survey, is to eventually list 100 contractors in each industry segment. The 2014 results put that goal well within reach.
Participation Trends and What They Mean
The jump from fewer than 100 participating contractors in 2013 to more than 150 in 2014 signals growing industry recognition of the value of benchmarking. When contractors share their sales volume data by service segment, the collective data set becomes more reliable and more useful for everyone. The five lists published in 2014 covered:
- Sealcoating (the Sealcoating 75, expanded from 50)
- Paving (expanded to 75 contractors)
- Striping and marking (expanded to 75 contractors)
- Crack sealing and repair (expanded to 75 contractors)
- Sweeping (expanded to 25 contractors from 10)
Each list ranks participating contractors alphabetically rather than by revenue, so no single contractor is positioned as number one. This approach reduces the competitive friction that might otherwise discourage participation. Instead, the lists function as a directory of established players in each segment, giving customers and peers alike a clearer picture of who operates at scale in their market.
Why Contractors Should Participate
A common question from small and mid-sized contractors is whether participation is worthwhile if they do not qualify for the published lists. The answer is yes, and for good reason. Every firm that provides survey data receives a free industry analysis based on the aggregated information from all participating companies. This analysis includes data that is not published anywhere else:
- Profit margin benchmarks by service segment
- Subcontracting patterns and rates
- Year-over-year revenue comparisons
- Regional market breakdowns
As the survey matures across multiple years, the year-over-year comparison data becomes increasingly valuable. Contractors can track trends in their specific segment, identify growth opportunities, and spot potential market shifts before they become obvious. For a contractor wondering whether to expand their paving division or invest more heavily in sealcoating, this kind of data is worth far more than the few minutes it takes to complete the survey.
How the Top Contractor Lists Work
The 2014 Top Contractor lists are built around a straightforward methodology. Contractors self-report their sales volume in specific service segments for the previous calendar year. The information is verified through a process designed to be as simple as possible while maintaining data integrity. Companies are listed alphabetically within each segment, which means the lists serve as a census of larger operators rather than a competitive ranking. This is important because it encourages participation from companies that might otherwise hesitate to reveal exact revenue figures in a ranked format.
Data Collection and Verification
The survey process follows a clear annual cycle:
- The survey opens online on January 1 each year
- Contractors submit their sales volume data by service segment
- Verification is completed through a straightforward process
- The survey closes on April 30
- Results are published in the June/July issue of the magazine
This timeline gives contractors four months to gather their financial records and submit accurate data. The extended window is intentional — many small and mid-sized contractors do not have dedicated accounting staff, and pulling segment-specific revenue figures takes time. The verification process is designed to confirm submissions without imposing a heavy administrative burden on participants.
The Value of Industry Benchmarks
Contractors who understand where they stand in the market make better strategic decisions. The Top Contractor data provides a benchmark that is simply not available from any other source. Trade associations collect some data, but rarely at this level of segment detail. Equipment manufacturers know their own sales numbers but cannot see the full contractor landscape. The Top Contractor survey fills a critical gap by aggregating self-reported data from the contractors themselves.
For a contractor considering expansion into a new service area, the lists reveal how many established competitors operate at scale in that segment. For a contractor evaluating their own growth, the year-over-year comparison shows whether the market is expanding or contracting. This information directly supports better a Guide On How to Become a Construction contractor and scale a pavement maintenance business strategically.
Segment-by-Segment Analysis of the 2014 Lists
The five service segments covered by the 2014 survey represent the core revenue streams of the pavement maintenance industry. Each segment has its own economic dynamics, competitive landscape, and growth trajectory. Understanding the differences between segments helps contractors decide where to focus their resources.
Sealcoating: The Largest Segment
Sealcoating consistently draws the highest number of participants and the largest total reported revenue. The Sealcoating 75 list includes contractors with sealcoating-specific sales volumes ranging from smaller regional operators to multi-state companies serving commercial and municipal clients. The expansion from 50 to 75 contractors in 2014 reflects both increased participation and the segment’s continued strength.
Paving, Striping, Crack Sealing, and Sweeping
The paving list covers both asphalt and concrete work, with contractors reporting paving-specific revenue. Striping and marking is a specialized segment that includes everything from parking lot layouts to highway markings. Crack sealing and repair is a maintenance-focused segment with steady demand regardless of economic cycles. Sweeping, the smallest segment in the survey, expanded from 10 to 25 contractors in 2014 — a sign that the industry is recognizing sweeping as a distinct, reportable revenue stream rather than just an add-on service.
| Service Segment | 2013 List Size | 2014 List Size | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sealcoating | 50 | 75 | +50% |
| Paving | 50 | 75 | +50% |
| Striping and Marking | 50 | 75 | +50% |
| Crack Sealing and Repair | 50 | 75 | +50% |
| Sweeping | 10 | 25 | +150% |
The table above shows the expansion of each list from 2013 to 2014. The sweeping segment showed the highest percentage growth, though from a smaller base. The four larger segments all expanded by the same number of positions, reflecting the editors’ deliberate approach of scaling each list proportionally as participation increased.
Geographic Distribution of Contractors
While the survey does not publish geographic breakdowns in the main lists, the aggregated data reveals that contractors from all regions of the United States participated. The Sun Belt states, with their year-round paving and maintenance seasons, tend to be well represented. Northern states with shorter seasons but higher per-project volumes also contribute significant data. As the survey grows, regional breakdowns may become available exclusively to participants as part of the industry analysis report.
Using Survey Data to Build a Better Business
The ultimate purpose of the Top Contractor survey is not simply to publish lists. It is to give contractors the information they need to run their businesses more effectively. The data collected through the survey supports multiple business applications that directly impact profitability and growth.
Benchmarking Your Own Performance
A contractor who knows that the median sealcoating contractor in their region reports million in annual sealcoating revenue has a meaningful reference point. If their own revenue is significantly lower, they can investigate whether the gap is due to market share, pricing, service quality, or geographic coverage. If their revenue is higher, they may have an opportunity to raise prices or expand into new segments. The benchmark data turns vague instincts into concrete business intelligence.
Identifying Market Opportunities
The segment lists reveal which service areas have the most established competition and which may be underserved. A contractor operating primarily in sealcoating who sees that the crack sealing list has room for growth might decide to invest in crack sealing equipment and training. A paving contractor who notices that striping contractors in their region report strong volumes might add striping as a complementary service. Understanding Contractor Roles and Responsibilities in Construction helps clarify which service lines fit naturally together and where cross-training crew members can create operational efficiencies.
Planning for Long-Term Growth
Year-over-year data from the survey gives contractors a multi-year view of industry trends. If sealcoating volumes are rising steadily across the industry while paving volumes remain flat, that signals a shift in market demand. Contractors who spot these trends early can position themselves ahead of the curve. The survey data supplements what contractors already know about their local markets with a national and regional perspective that is difficult to gather any other way.
For contractors serious about growth, participation in the survey is a small investment of time that yields significant returns in market intelligence. The How to Find the Right Contractor Home Construction principles of vetting, verifying, and comparing apply equally well to evaluating your own business against industry benchmarks. The more contractors participate, the more valuable the data becomes for everyone.
A Call to Participate in Future Surveys
The 2014 survey demonstrated that the pavement maintenance industry is ready for transparent, data-driven benchmarking. With 150 contractors participating and lists expanding across all five segments, the momentum is clear. The survey runs annually from January 1 through April 30. Contractors of all sizes are encouraged to participate, regardless of whether they expect to qualify for the published lists. The free industry analysis report alone is worth the effort — and as the data set grows across multiple years, its value will only increase. Mark your calendar, gather your financial records, and be part of building the most comprehensive picture of the pavement maintenance industry ever assembled.
This article is based on the 2014 Top Contractor survey data published by For Construction Pros / Pavement Preservation & Maintenance magazine. The survey continues to grow each year, providing increasingly valuable benchmarks for contractors in all segments of the pavement maintenance industry.