Pavers can drastically transform your space into looking modern and be a fantastic addition to a property if done well. If installed poorly, pavers can do the exact opposite for your space. A patio or driveways that has pavers installed poorly can make your space look outdated, and run down.
Choosing who is installing your pavers, what color, and what type and brand of pavers to use can be intimidating. As someone who deserves to have their paver project built properly and look good , we want to help you with your buying process so that you get the best service possible, and know that your money was well spent on your project.
This article will answer most, if not all of your paver patio questions, and help you make an educated buying decision.
Trust is an important component to figuring out who you want to work with, and we want to show you exactly who we are, and how we can provide you with exceptional service.
Unfortunately, we have been seeing and hearing more and more customers being taken advantage of by contractors. Homeowners are losing lots of money on projects like paver installations, and our hope is that this information will prevent people from getting taken advantage of.
We understand that we are not a great fit for everyone, but want to provide you with this info so that you are able to ask the right questions to whoever you end up hiring to build your wall.
To choose what company to work with, you should know the following:
We will answer all of these questions for you so that you really know who we are, what we stand for, and if we are the right fit for one another.
We understand that when doing research for a project being done at your home you want to do your due diligence, and trust the company that you are working with.
The best way to do this in our opinion is to show you what it’s like to work with us, and hear from our past customers.
As of August 18, 2023 we have 50 Google Reviews with a 4.9-star rating.
After reading this document, we provide you with a complimentary phone consultation with Sam (Our owner/experienced drainage expert).
During this consultation Sam will go over any questions you have about your project, and will be able to provide you with a ballpark price for your individual project over the phone.
Once you are ready to move forward with your yard drainage project, Sam will do a site consultation with you and whoever else is involved.
During the site consultation, project details are finalized, the contract is signed, and a 25% deposit is taken to book your project into our calendar.
You are getting ready to spend your hard-earned money, and everyone that is involved in your project such as your spouse, partner or business partner should be on the call.
Having everyone that is involved in the project be a part of the call will ensure that we are all on the same page, and know what is important to each and everyone involved.
You and your spouse/partner may want your drainage project done for different reasons, and we want to know what those reasons are so that everyone gets exactly what they want, and to provide you with the best service possible.
Whoever is involved should be reading this document as well!
Sam will ask you to confirm any measurements you have given him, answer any questions you have about pavers what your design budget for your project is (more on that later), and what access to your space looks like. (We need a minimum of 40 inches at the narrowest point to be able to access your space with our machines).
Once all of your questions are answered, you will be provided with a ballpark price for your specific project right there on the phone. If the price bracket matches your budget and you are ready to move forward with your project, we will schedule a site consultation as your next step.
Site consultations are $0-$500 depending on the level of design required and will be applied to your project price. It is not an extra fee.
Basics Of A Paver Patio Build
While you can choose from many different designs and additions for your patio space (like adding heaters, fireplaces, or a covered patio), there are some things that you cannot afford to skip while doing a patio renovation or build.
These things are crucial for having an outdoor patio that is enjoyable, and functions well. Be sure that your contractor does these critical steps so that you can have the best experience possible during your build.
When choosing what material will work best for your patio build, homeowners should think about their property, lifestyle and overall look of their outdoor space ( like if they have lots of hardscape) if they are going for a natural look for their new deck. Consider how you will use your space, and how much upkeep you are willing to do each year to keep your patio looking new.
Why wood may be a good option:
Wood may be right for you if you are planning on moving in a couple of years and don’t mind that the patio may need to be replaced with a new deck, or if you are wanting to have a deck high off of the ground.
Good news is regular maintenance of both wood decking materials and brick pavers can help prolong your patios life, but eventually wood decks will need to be replaced. When exposed to the elements, wood will split, crack and is prone to warping. Stains for wood decks will slow down this process, but you cannot stop weathering from occurring, so your wood decks lifespan is affected by this exposure. Even treated lumber can be affected by moisture that happens in the air from rain or snow, and when exposed to moisture, wood naturally rots. Most wooden decks will last 10+ years depending on type of wood that is used, and how well the deck is taken care of.
Because wood is an organic, porous material, it is susceptible to decomposition, the weather, and requires quite a bit of upkeep to prevent the wood from rotting.
Your wooden deck will need to be cleaned, and protective coatings like stains, varnish, and sealer will need to be applied at least once a year. Even with proper maintenance the wooden board will eventually warp. Warping and aging deck boards will need to be replaced periodically to keep the integrity and durability of the deck.
If you think that your patio is going to be used quite a bit and have people frequently walking on it, or you already have pavers as part of your landscape, maybe brick pavers are the way to go.
Brick pavers are impervious to the weather as sunlight, rain and snow do not affect the pavers. They can also withstand heavy foot traffic from parties and children and pets playing, and the weight of outdoor furniture, BBQs, and whatever else sits on your paver patio. Brick patio pavers will last centuries if installed properly as concrete pavers cannot warp or rot.
Maintenance of a paver patio
Concrete pavers can be washed each year with soap and water if needed, and sealed for the first couple of years after they have been installed (if you are using a patio paver sealer, they should be washed first).
If the concrete pavers need to be pressure washed, the paver joint sand (polymeric sand) that is in between the pavers that lock them together may need to be refilled, depending on if the polymeric sand was removed while the concrete pavers were being pressure washed.
Raised patios vs. Ground level patios
What Is the Difference Between A Raised Patio And A Ground Level Patio?
If you are looking to add depth, richness, and an overall aesthetically pleasing look, a raised patio will do the trick. One of the main reasons homeowners choose to go with a raised patio over a ground level patio for their outdoor space besides their looks, is that they want to be able to step straight out onto their patio without having to use steps.
This option is great for people who have young children, or older adults who find using steps difficult.
Homeowners whose dining rooms connect to their outdoor space, or who have lots of BBQ’s and friends over for outdoor dining, may want to consider a raised patio so that it easier to take food from inside to your patio without having to step down onto a ground level patio.
Raised patios typically elevate your outside dining experience, and allow homeowners to enjoy the feel of fine dining while also enjoying the look and feel of the outdoors.
One thing to keep in mind when weighing what type of patio you want, is that raised patios take longer to build, and will cost more. A typical patio that is built on the ground needs gravel, sand, joint sand, and pavers to be completed. With a raised patio, the retaining wall needs to be built first, and caps are added to complete the wall. Gravel is used to fill in the entire area, and then the sand, pavers and joint sand are placed. A lot more gravel is needed to fill in this area, and caps and blocks are used, upping the cost of labor and materials for your new patio.
Similarities Between A Raised Patio And A Ground Level Patio
Both of these patio options allow you to enjoy your backyard space while hosting family dinners and enjoying nature. Other similarities when it comes to elevated and ground level patios are:
Luckily, no matter what type you choose, you can create a beautiful outdoor living space, regardless of if it is elevated or not. When deciding what option is right for you and your family, consider your budget, time for the project to be completed, and what look you are going for.
Patio Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete
When deciding what is more durable between patio pavers and stamped concrete, we need to understand that they are both extremely durable, and there won’t be a clear winner between the two for durability in the traditional sense.
Pavers are usually made to a minimum psi of 8000, while concrete is typically made to 3000psi.
This means that pavers are technically stronger, but again when was the last time you saw soft concrete?
In order to decide between the two, we need to think about it from a maintenance and lifespan before it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Concrete is poured as a single pour, and is for the most part a solid unit.
There are relief cuts so that when the concrete cracks which it will, it cracks in the pre made joints.
This however, doesn’t always happen, and you can be left with big cracks across your patio.
Pavers on the other hand are individual blocks that will not crack themselves. The joint sand between them is flexible, so you will not see unsightly cracks.
Pavers may seem like the obvious choice so far, but unfortunately, they also require the most maintenance.
Joint sand needs to be replaced every 10-15 years, or anytime you pressure wash the pavers, as the water will blow out the joint sand.
Unlike pavers, when you pressure wash concrete, it requires no extra maintenance afterwards.
Simply put , concrete has the lowest maintenance, but will crack seemingly where you least want it too.
Pavers have the highest maintenance, but in my opinion look much richer, and are worth the added maintenance.
In high end landscaping , pavers are usually the go to choice because of the added depth they bring.
They are available in so many colors, finishes, and textures, that there will probably be a paver for everyone.
Every patio should be at least sloped away from your home.
The better patios are actually dual sloped. This means that while the water is directed away from your house, its also directed away from undercover furniture, or anything else you want to keep dry.
When we build patios, we use steel screed rods. These rods are set off of a laser, that is perfectly accurate.
There is no operator error this way, and what’s left is a perfectly uniformly sloped patio that when you walk on feels great.
Being sloped uniformly helps to ensure your furniture doesn’t rock or wobble. You get no standing water, and after a rain event the patio dries out fairly quickly.
One step that seems to be skipped by a lot of installers is sealing the pavers once the hardscape installation is complete.
Whether or not brick pavers should be sealed is up to each individual. There are many advantages and disadvantages to take into consideration when it comes to sealing your pavers or not. (Remember that efflorescence should be taken care of first before sealing the paver patio stones and paver surface, and that the paver joints should be filled with polymeric sand)
Sealing your pavers protects the pavers from stains, discoloration, spills, and grime caused by the weather. Not only that, but sealer will protect concrete pavers from the sun. If left unsealed pavers can start to look dull and lose their color.
If your pavers are not sealed, the leaves and debris can cause stains on them that will be permanent on the paver surface and will be impossible to clean-up once stained. Mildew and weed growth can be prevented by applying polymeric sand. Once the sand is set
Pavers that are sealed with sealer will be more durable to weather and foot traffic. Wind and rain can bring leaves and other debris onto your pavers. If your pavers are not sealed with sealant, they will not be as durable to weather. Sealing the pavers also allows mildew to be cleaned up, and allows leave to be blown off easily.
Sealed pavers look smooth and shiny, (almost like a wet look) and give a richness to the overall looks of the pavers. The sealant allows the paver color to really pop, and highlight different shades in the paver itself. Paving stones that are sealed have a semi-gloss look to them and give the pavers a gloss finish. If you are going for a more matte/ natural look, the sealant should be put one once, but a second coat can be done for an extra gloss finish.
Pavers should be sealed after installation, and resealed every couple of years. Resealing is really up to the homeowner, and how much traffic the pavers see.
While every site is different, and each patio is unique, here is a breakdown of our patio prices. These prices are ballpark, and are just an example of what a starting price for your project can be.
Price is affected by site access, type of paver and color choice, ad ons, finishes, and more.
$15k
Can Include a paver patio with standard pavers in a variety of colors and designs.
$30k
Can Include a paver patio and some semi-custom options.
$50k
Can Include a fully customized patio with pavers.
Some contractors will use your deposit to pay for other homeowners job materials. When this happens, if the contractor runs out of money they will not be able to cover your projects costs.
This is when homeowners projects do not get completed, because the contractor has no money left to get materials for your job.
Another problem we see with projects is contractors using credit accounts when buying materials from their suppliers and running out of money.
When contractors cannot pay those suppliers back, the suppliers will come to you, the homeowner, to pay for them because the materials are already in your yard and have been used.
The payments that we receive from you go towards your wall, and your wall only.
When paying for materials, we do not use any credit accounts, so you never need to worry about your materials not being paid for.
25% Due at site consultation / contract signing
Due prior to project commencement
Due halfway through project
Due at the beginning of the final day
There are endless options when it comes to what types of pavers you want to use for your patio build.
When thinking about what kind of pavers you would like to use for your patio think about the look you are going for, what is going to work well with your home, what color you would like your paver to be and what your budget will allow.
We work with different suppliers all around the lower mainland and will be able to supply you with any paver you fall in love with.
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about our company!
Now that you know more about patio builds, and what it looks like to work with us, please think of any questions you have before your call that are important to you.
Take the time to dream about what you want your patio to look like, what the entire finished project looks like, and be ready to tell Sam your budget and timeline.
We look forward to working with you!