7 Patio Construction Nightmares (and How to Avoid Them)

In my business we try to keep the focus on everything that can go right with a landscaping project. I want my team, and the homeowners I serve, thinking about the dream patio construction that will result from our planning and hard work.

Still, 20+ years in this business have taught me that things can go wrong. In today’s post I’m going to share a handful of the nightmares I’ve seen customers (thankfully, not mine) go through. And then I’m going to show you how to avoid all of them with one easy move.

Let’s begin with a surprisingly common patio contracting issue for those of us who live in the Northeast…

#1 You Get Caught Waiting for Paperwork

Depending on where you live, and what sort of work you want done around your property, you might be required to apply for various permits. Some can be secured quickly and inexpensively. Others require more significant investments of time and money.

If your patio contractor doesn’t know your area, or doesn’t plan ahead appropriately, it’s possible that your construction could be delayed by weeks or months while the appropriate paperwork is secured. That’s not a good way to get started and can lead to other issues as equipment and materials sit unused.

#2 Your Patio Construction Damages Your Property

Imagine how you’d feel if your patio contractor showed up to your home and drove a tractor through your garage, or damaged the side of your house with a digger. Believe it or not, these sorts of accidents are not that uncommon.

These mishaps usually occur when someone who is marketing themselves as an experienced patio contractor ends up taking a bigger job than they’re used to. That means using heavier equipment or letting their staff handle machinery they aren’t familiar with. Those aren’t the kinds of conditions that lead to great outcomes.

#3 Your Contractor Digs Through Utility Lines

It’s absolutely crucial to check and double-check for electrical wires, gas lines, and other utilities features of a property before digging and installation begin. However, some patio contractors are more careful about planning and details than others.

When a team damages utility lines, a few bad things can happen. First, the situation could be very unsafe, both for the homeowner and the workers present. Second, it could force an evacuation of the property until the utility company can make repairs and give the all-clear. And finally, these sorts of events tend to delay construction for a long time.

#4 Your New Patio Floods Your Basement

Every so often I’m shown a patio that has been incorrectly graded and pitched back toward the house. They are supposed to be built in a way that moves water away from a structure, but if the contractor gets things wrong, the opposite can happen.

An incorrectly pitched surface means that rainfall, melting snow, etc., will all bring water toward your home. That almost always results in basement flooding. It can also mean longer-term issues with your foundation. This situation is the unfortunate and aggravating result of poor planning.

#5 Your New Appliances Don’t Arrive

A good patio contractor will schedule things so that any new appliances or features you want to install arrive just as they are needed. However, if they manage things poorly, that timing can go all wrong. You don’t want them on your property collecting dust and taking up space before they’re needed. And you definitely don’t want things being held up because they haven’t arrived in time.

Usually, if appliances don’t arrive at a patio construction site on schedule, it’s because the contractor isn’t managing details well. However, it could also be a sign that the company you hired is having cash flow issues.

#6 Your Finished Patio Construction Doesn’t Look Like Your Plan

You don’t simply want to have a “good” backyard attached to your home. You want to have the outdoor space you have been dreaming of and have paid for. It’s crucial that your contractor understand your plan and vision and be dedicated to bringing it to life.

This is probably the easiest one of these nightmares to avoid, but problems can occur if your vendor won’t take the time to listen and ask extra questions. Being a good patio contractor isn’t just about building things. The most important part of the job is learning about the customer and being sure you can get them exactly what they want.

#7 Your Patio Contractor Doesn’t Show Up at All

I wish I didn’t have to spend time on a topic like this, but it’s worth pointing out that there are people advertising themselves as patio contractors who simply want to collect a deposit check and then disappear. They put together websites and brochures of stock photos, advertise low prices, find a handful of victims, and then leave town.

While these kinds of scams aren’t common, they are out there. Be sure to do your homework when choosing a patio contractor and ensure you are only hiring someone with the right reputation. That brings me to the most important point of all.

The Cure for Patio Construction Headaches

Look closely, and you’ll notice that every one of the seven patio construction nightmares I’ve outlined is the result of bad planning, poor integrity, or a lack of experience. To put this another way, these are the sorts of errors a proven and experienced patio contracting team just won’t make.

If you want to avoid the headaches, hassles, and delays that can come with turning your backyard into something different, then turn the job over to a team of professionals. It’s so much better to do a little bit of homework to choose the right company on the front end of your project than it is to switch contractors or have to restart from scratch later.

Have a home near Saugus, Massachusetts, and want to be sure you are working with the best? Contact the Stefano’s team today. We’ll set you up with a free design consultation at your property and show you exactly what we can do to help.