Why Low-Cost Parking Lot Striping in Northeast Arkansas Fails: Anyone Can Stripe a Parking Lot. Not Everyone Should.
- Kent Wilson
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
What Property Owners in Northeast Arkansas Need to Understand Before Hiring a Striping Contractor
Parking lot striping in Northeast Arkansas is often treated as a commodity service. Paint is paint, lines are lines, and the lowest price wins.
That mindset is exactly why so many parking lots in Jonesboro, Paragould, Pocahontas, Hardy, and Ash Flat end up with crooked lines, poor layouts, ADA issues, and visible over-spray—sometimes within days of the work being completed.
When it comes to parking lot striping in Northeast Arkansas, choosing the lowest price often leads to permanent mistakes and unnecessary liability for property owners.
The Real Risks of Poor Parking Lot Striping
Parking lot striping is not just cosmetic. It directly impacts ADA compliance, traffic flow, safety, and liability. When the wrong contractor is chosen, the problems are immediate—and difficult to correct.
ADA Non-Compliance Becomes the Owner’s Liability
ADA parking requirements are federal law. Many low-priced striping contractors simply repaint existing lines without verifying compliance.
Common ADA failures include:
Incorrect number of accessible parking spaces
Improper stall or access aisle dimensions
Missing or incorrectly marked van-accessible spaces
Poor access routes from parking areas to building entrances
If a contractor is not trained in ADA layout standards, the risk does not fall on them—it falls on the property owner.
Poor Layout Creates Traffic Flow and Safety Issues
Bad striping is not just unsightly—it creates confusion and increases accident risk.
Poor workmanship often results in:
Crooked or inconsistent striping
Parking stalls that do not align across rows
Inefficient use of available parking space
Confusing or unsafe traffic patterns
Fire lanes that are unclear or improperly marked
In commercial properties, these issues frustrate customers, reduce usable parking, and reflect poorly on the business itself.
How Property Owners Should Choose a Parking Lot Striping Contractor
Parking lot striping is not a commodity service. Before hiring a contractor in Northeast Arkansas, property owners should look beyond price and consider the following:
Licensing and Insurance
A professional contractor should be properly licensed and carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. If proof cannot be provided, the risk shifts to the property owner.
Verifiable References
Reputable contractors can provide recent commercial references and completed projects that can be verified locally.
Professional Proposals
A typed, detailed proposal reflects planning and accountability. Handwritten or vague estimates often indicate rushed work and unclear scope.
ADA Knowledge and Accountability
Contractors should understand ADA parking requirements and verify compliance before striping begins. Repainting existing lines does not ensure compliance.
Layout Planning, Not Guesswork
Professional striping starts with measurement and layout, including stall alignment, traffic flow, and fire lane placement.
Quality Equipment and Materials
Precision striping requires commercial-grade equipment and proper materials. Inferior equipment leads to uneven lines, over-spray, and poor durability.
Clear Scope and Accountability
A professional contractor clearly defines what is included, what is excluded, and what the finished result should look like.
Choosing the right contractor up front reduces risk, improves safety, and protects the long-term appearance of the property.
Undercutting Price Means Undercutting Quality
At Armor Asphalt, we make a deliberate decision not to undercut ourselves simply to win a parking lot striping job. Competing solely on price forces contractors to cut corners—and the consequences are visible the moment the paint dries.
Undercutting pricing often results in:
Missing parking stall lines
Incomplete or skipped access aisles
Uneven or inconsistent line spacing
Stalls that do not align across rows
Crooked, wandering, or broken lines
Improper or missing ADA markings
Fire lanes that are unclear, or not code-compliant
Faded or thin paint coverage from low-grade materials
Paint over-spray on sidewalks, curbs, and concrete surfaces
These are not cosmetic issues. They affect compliance, safety, traffic flow, and the professional appearance of the property.
Professional Parking Lot Striping in Northeast Arkansas
Armor Asphalt provides professional parking lot striping throughout Jonesboro, Paragould, Pocahontas, Hardy, Ash Flat, and surrounding Northeast Arkansas communities.
Striping is not an add-on service—it is a technical discipline.
ADA-Focused Striping and Compliance Knowledge
Our team verifies ADA compliance before striping begins. We do not blindly replicate existing mistakes—we correct them.
Parking Lot Layout Designs
We offer parking lot layout designing, including CAD, to improve:
Traffic flow
Parking efficiency
Stall alignment
ADA compliance
Overall site functionality
Proper design eliminates problems before they are painted into the pavement.
Precision Striping with Laser-Guided Technology
We use state-of-the-art striping equipment with laser guidance to ensure:
Straight, consistent striping
Accurate stall spacing
Clean, crisp edges
Long-lasting, professional results
Laser-guided layout removes human error and delivers a finished product that reflects the quality of the property.
The Bottom Line for Property Owners
If a striping contractor competes on price alone, the property owner absorbs the risk.
Parking lot striping affects:
Legal compliance
Accessibility
Traffic safety
First impressions
Long-term maintenance costs
You would not hire an unqualified electrician because “it’s just wiring.” Parking lot striping deserves the same standard.
Anyone can stripe a parking lot. Not just anyone should.
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