[Cathy]

I've lurked here for a bit and have finally decided to post here as opposed to the homeowner section which appears to be for do-it-yourself'ers which I am not (at least on the hardscape).

As a contractor, how do you feel about working with a customer who has specific requests on the construction of a paver patio?

I am a homeowner and I have NO intention of doing this job myself so my questions are not fishing efforts to learn how to do it myself. The project is only 300 sq. ft. but I don't have the time or inclination to do it. I do, however, have the inclination to research it. (Like one post discussing spun v. woven fabric as the geotextile. Or the fact that clay soil will require a thicker base.) I am setting up bids for later in the week and next week. Am I going to scare off a company with these requests?


Thanks!

[NCSULandscaper]

any company that knows how to properly do hardscapes should already know how to do the job. Instead of telling them how to do it and what to use, just ask them how they would go about performing the job, and since you know the right answer see if they do or not. If not then they dont know how to properly do the job.

[Stonehenge]

Originally posted by NCSULandscaper
any company that knows how to properly do hardscapes should already know how to do the job. Instead of telling them how to do it and what to use, just ask them how they would go about performing the job, and since you know the right answer see if they do or not. If not then they dont know how to properly do the job.

That's probably the best advice you can get.

[Lanelle]

The only thing I'd add is to post your zip code and see if anyone here is nearby and interested in meeting with you.

[Cathy]

Thanks - that is what I was pretty much going to do but I wanted to make sure that if I started asking "well, what type of geotextile do you use?" this guy won't look at me like I am either from another planet or fishing for help in doing it myself. (I just don't want to see his profit margin increase by explaining I really don't want to do it.)

[Stonehenge]

I'm still going to move this to the homeowner forum - though the topic is hardscapes, it's more about a homeowner's hiring of a hardscaper, and not about the installation of hardscapes.

Besides, this is the kind of help we'd prefer to give.

[Bill Schwab]

There is two ways I can take this one. First, if someone does not have the confidence in our company that it well deserves, it would not be a job I would consider working on. There are too many issues that can come up to head into conflict, and I have not worked as long and hard and achieved what we have to have anyone tell me specificlly where to place each morsel of gravel and sand under a patio.

Now, the second way to interpret your request is simply this. If you have taken the information from the various posters on this site and are going to design a specific scope of work to have each company you call bid based on the criteria you provide them, that is different altogether.

What you are asking essentially, is no different than when I meet a GC and he hands me a set of plans drawn from an architect with specific requirements, assuming of course that you are qualified enough from what you have gleened to assemble a set of documents.

Now, the last part. When I interview a prospect and pre qualify them (we choose not to work for everyone who calls us) if they are getting any more tham 4 bids, I decline. Typically, when someone has to see more bids than that, they are price shopping, and, our company is never the cheapest and there are many folks who value our time, and will pay what it is worth to have our company work for them.

So, unless you are in fact looking for the rock bottom lowest installer, (and I do not sense you are) you may want to find a way to communicate that.

My three cents worth!

[Cathy]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Bill. You are right that I don't want the cheapest installation - it's about quality. I'm no where near qualified to have a set of plans so I'll let the contractor be the expert. I think I've just decided to lay out my concerns - primarily being that it's solid clay and I am worried about drainage and getting a proper base and could he tell me what he would recommend. I think from what I have seen here, a contractor would respond to that.

Thanks again!

[GLAN]

Here's another perspective


This is what I do when considering a contractor. No matter if it be a roofer, electrician or what ever.....

I look around the neighborhood and see what contractor maybe the most prevelent in the area. Also look for quality of work and how the work was performed.

I also rely my friends and neighbors opinions. This past February I had to do a new roof. I asked 2 of my neighbors that had theirs done within the last 3 years.......Just so happens it was the same contractor. Found out that the same people did 2 others on my street......all were very satisified. So was I......in turn through my recommendation that company did 2 other roofs on my street this past spring.

Same thing when I purchased a new much more expensive Jacuzzi to replace my first one.....I hired the company that maintains the pools for 3 neighbors on my street for my spring turn on and fall shut down.


This can be done the same for brick, paver or flat work. In my area I know who the quality guys are, as well as who the crap contractos are. Regardless.....I look over their completed work carefully......I also consider how long ago it was done. I know contractors that their work looks the same the day it was completed to today being 3, 5 or so years later.

I have no problem getting out my truck, knocking on someones door asking them who did the work for them.....when I see an exceptionaly good job.