How to Choose the Best Patio Installer for Your Needs

Spring has finally arrived, with the opportunity for outdoor parties and gatherings – it’s time to find a patio installer to expand your outdoor space while enhancing your backyard.

It pays to start early…careful planning will take time as you’ll want to decide on designs and products. Good installers often book in advance and will need to work your new patio into their schedules.

If you’ve decided that a patio would be a welcome addition to your home, your most difficult decision may be choosing the right contractor to handle the project. While there are many options to choose from, it’s critical that you select a contractor that offers the right mix of products, service, and quality. For example, you want to make sure that the patio installer you choose has a reputation for getting the job done right. Other factors to consider when selecting a contractor include:

Products – Ask what materials are offered for a patio. A professional will provide concrete, brick, stone, and pavers. If you choose pavers, make sure your contractor buys them from a reputable manufacturer, as inferior pavers will fade and are often not as durable.

Warranties and Guarantees – Ask if the contractor warrants their work, and if there are warranties on the products (usually pavers) discuss the details until you understand them and have the detailed warranty in writing.

Portfolio Websites – The best professionals have websites that help educate the public on landscaping issues, such as the pros and cons of various materials used for patios. Consummate professionals will have portfolios for you to peruse to see their work and what different items look like so you can make an informed decision regarding your yard.

Professional organizations and continuing education – Look for a contractor who belongs to professional organizations such as the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) that promote professionalism, safety, environmental protection and education.

local knowledge – Many communities have specific codes and restrictions for patio additions – choose a contractor experienced in handling these restrictions and regulations to create the type of patio that meets your needs and desires.

When choosing a professional to lay out your patio, you should take a hands-on approach before making your decision. Ask direct questions and seek basic support. Here are some helpful tips on what to ask before you start your dream garden project:

• Get different quotes for your project, checking that they include all the products and services you will need. Make sure there are no hidden extras like dirt removal. TIP: Ask how long the project will take.

• Check how long the company has been laying flooring products.

• Ask for some recent references of completed patio installations and read their reviews online. A trusted contractor will be excited to show off their recent work. Expect to see photos and details of recent similar jobs that you can visit for reference. This is usually part of any professional presentation.

• Ask questions such as whether the cost of a trash can and grit is included.

• Check if the contractor has the appropriate liability insurance.

• Request a final quote in writing from your chosen contractor.

• A reputable patio installer will spare no effort, but will work at the highest level to build a patio that is beautiful and will remain beautiful for years to come. A true professional will have no problem guaranteeing his work.

Starting with some basic research and asking the right questions will help ensure that you choose a reliable and trustworthy contractor. Stories about unlicensed and even licensed contractors facing fines and jail time for shoddy work and fraud have consumers nervous about adding a patio. You want your patio and garden project to be completed to the highest standard; something that you, your family and friends can enjoy for many years.

Anyone with a notebook and pencil can design a patio; remember that building the proper foundation, drainage and laying beautiful paving products is a skill and an art. A professional patio installer can recommend colors, complementary products, proper laying patterns and much more, so it pays to invest in a reputable one; remember to ask to see their portfolios. They will listen and ask questions until they fully understand the needs and wants of their customers. The master patio builder will then enhance his clients’ visions by designing his patio to match his clients’ wishes.