How to Find a Quality Paving Stone Contractor

Paving stones are a great choice for any property. They look great around pools, paths, driveways and patios, and they come in an almost endless variety of materials, shapes, and colors. Because there are so many choices, you may feel overwhelmed deciding exactly which paver you want.

This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to choose a quality paving stone contractor—one who can help you navigate the challenge of paving choice selection and design. A good contractor will design your paver project to look beautiful and elegant, as well as perform proper installation to ensure the pavers won’t crack or shift. By letting a qualified professional manage your paving stone job, you can relax and rest assured that you’re in good hands.

Of course, you want to be sure the contractor you hire will deliver the quality, fairly priced results you’re looking for. This is why it’s very important to take your time and choose a top rated paving stone contractor in your area. But before we get into how to find a contractor, let’s look at what makes paving stones such a good choice for your hardscaping project.

Benefits of Paving Stones

There are many advantages to using paving stones to build your walkway, driveway, patio or pool deck. First, they’re aesthetically beautiful and available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. It’s not hard to find the perfect color or combination of colors to match your home and landscape. Second, paving stones are extremely durable. You may be surprised to know that paving stones are even stronger than concrete. While concrete can withstand 2,000 PSI, a paving stone installation can often withstand over 8,000 PSI.

One of the reasons paving stone structures are so durable is because they’re comprised of many small pieces, which means they’re able to move with the earth as it swells and contracts. Additionally, while cracks in concrete can lead to expensive repair projects, paving stone repairs are quite easy and made by simply resetting the paving stones. Plus, paving stones are easy to maintain.

A good paving stone installer will help you design your project using the colors and styles that work best for you, resulting in a final design that will complement your home and landscape. However, even if you pick out the best color and style, if the installation isn’t done correctly, none of it will matter. That’s why it’s so important to hire a qualified paving stone contractor to handle your project.

Know What You Want From Your Paving Stone Project

Before you begin your search for a paving stone contractor, you need to know what you’re expecting from your project, including an idea of your timeline, style and color, and budget. Here are some questions that you may want to ask yourself:

• What is my timeline for having new pavers installed?
• What is my budget for new pavers?
• Are there any changes or repairs I need to have done to the house before I have new paving stones installed?
• Am I interested in any specific pavers (permeable, concrete, interlocking, natural stone, decorative, brick, etc.)?
• Am I planning on living in this house over the long term or am I going to use it as a rental property?
• What personal and professional characteristics would I like my paving stone contractor to have (good communication skills, timeliness, honesty, integrity, reliability)?
• What color and style am I looking for in new pavers? Will that color and style complement my landscaping and house?

Finding a Good Paving Stone Contractor

So, how do you find a qualified paving stone contractor in your area? There are a couple of ways to go about it. The simplest way is to hire a Diamond Certified paving stone contractor. All Diamond Certified companies have been independently rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise® in the most accurate rating process anywhere. Plus, you’ll be backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee.

If choosing a Diamond Certified paving stone company isn’t an option for you, you’ll need to research local companies on your own. A good resource is the Contractors State License Board’s website, where you can check the status of a company’s license and workers’ compensation insurance. Violations and license revocations will also appear on their license record, so you’ll know whether serious customer grievances and complaints have been filed with the state. But these aren’t the only credentials to look for in a company. For example, paving stone contractors who are members of local organizations and associations may offer better service, so look for that. You can also check to see if they’ve earned any special industry certifications.