How Much Does Parking Lot Striping Cost?

Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Striping is essential for a parking lot in order to be well-organized. This way, traffic flow will be managed safely and with the greatest number of parking spaces available. Whether it is a new parking lot or the old striping needs to be refreshed, this is still a necessary task. It is recommended to renew the parking lot stripes paint every two to three years.

Designing parking lot stripes is not only for professional appearance. It is also to protect, give directions, and prevent accidents.

How Much Does Parking Lot Striping Cost?

The cost of a parking lot striping of 30 to 50 parking spaces is somewhere between $300 and $700. The average cost is around $430, but it will greatly depend on several factors including your location, the number of parking spots in your striping project, the kind of lines that are painted, whether it is a new or a renewal paint, and the striping company you hire.

The cost to stripe a parking lot is often determined in two ways: the cost per linear foot or the cost per line. Expect to pay between $.20 and $1.00 per linear foot and $4 to $5 per single-line parking space. Generally, the lines have a four-inch thickness minimum.

The costs could vary depending on the number of parking lot lines you require, the style of lines required, and the amount of paint consumed. Usually, a professional company spends $90 to $150 on a 5-gallon tub of paint. These costs will be included in your overall payment.

We ran some research to estimate the cost of striping a parking lot and have put the figures in the table below.

As stated above, the costs may greatly vary as each project is unique.

The prices mentioned in the table above, are only for the spot striping. There are additional markings that you will have to factor into your overall costs.

To get an actual price, we recommend contacting experienced contractors directly.

You might also like our articles about the cost of valet parking, stop signs, or traffic lights.

On the ParkingLotStripingBusiness.com site, the writer went over how he analyzes the cost of striping a parking lot job from his perspective as a contractor. He notes that the biggest part of the cost is the lines.

Firstly, he will count the amount of 4-inch lines that need to be painted in order to create the parking lot. After having the total number of lines, he will multiply by $4, and then by another 20 cents, to calculate the linear footage. Secondly, he will look for additional markings, such as directional arrows, bumpers, curbs, stop bars, and light bases. With these markings, the cost will vary depending on each item.

Also, according to Joe Pullaro, Inc., a Tampa, Florida-based commercial painting contractor, four-inch stall lines cost $4 each, and 12-inch letters or digits cost $3 each. The overall costs vary depending on what is required.

The extra costs to consider

As we stated above, there are several additional markings that may increase your overall cost. Such as arrows, bumpers, curbs, stop bars, handicapped stalls, and light bases. In the table below, we compiled a list of additional markings and their cost. You can use this as a parking lot stripping cost calculator and add whatever markings you might need.

Requiring a customized marking can add extra costs. The contractor will need to make a stencil, in order to achieve your order.

Another additional cost to consider is a mobilization fee if it is required. This fee ranges somewhere from $150 to $350.

Also, in order to provide safety to pedestrians, crosswalks will be needed. For this marking, an extra cost of $50 to $70 per crosswalk should be added.

For an angled parking slot, the cost will be higher due to the longer lines and overall bigger size of the lot.

There may be markings that need colored painting which will increase the cost.

In order to prepare the ground for painting, there may be potholes that need to be fixed. This work brings additional costs that depend on the pothole size.

Important things when you stripe a parking lot

Keep in mind that new and renewed stripings often have the same costs.

In order to have the best result, especially on asphalt, it is recommended to use 100% water-based acrylic type of paint.

Experienced contractors recommend to have the job done in the summer season. The light and the heat will dry the paint faster.

According to Rmaces.org, a line is done in two coats and is usually 15 mils thick.

Take into consideration that larger parking stalls will need extra markings, such as crosswalks and handicapped spots which will definitely increase the cost.