A few weeks ago, our team was finishing up a landscaping project at a beautiful home in northeastern Massachusetts. It was a fairly straightforward job for a patio contractor, with normal features like a deck and a walkway, except for two details.

 

The first unique point was that we had taken over for another firm that couldn’t finish the job. The second was that the customer had been a professional contractor himself in the past. He knew exactly what he wanted and what the end result should look like.

 

Experience had taught this homeowner that he would need to check our work with a fine-tooth comb. But, once the time came, he just kept pacing back and forth, tilting his head one way and then the other. Finally, he said: “I can’t believe how clean those lines are. I’m not sure I could have done it that way myself.”

 

What really impressed this customer was our attention to detail. It’s something we mention a lot in our marketing, and a point that comes up frequently in our online reviews. That’s because we are proud to take care in a way that some other patio contractors don’t.

 

But that brings us to an interesting question…

 

What Does Attention to Detail Look Like for Patio Contractors?

Once you get past glossy photos, slick brochures, and rehearsed sales presentations, doing great work as a patio contractor is all about the little things. Believe it or not, you don’t have to work in this business to spot quality.

 

For instance, here are some tell-tale signs that your team has given the extra attention needed to get things right:

  •       The edge cuts on pathways, fences, and corners are perfect.
  •       You can tell the right borders were chosen for outdoor features.
  •       Your completed patio looks good from all angles.
  •       The outdoor space flows well together, especially from one area to another.
  •       There aren’t any unnecessary steps or abrupt elevation changes.

 

Each of these just gives you the sense that everything was well thought out, and that your patio contractor took the time to check and double-check their work. In other words, it’s not one big thing; it’s all the little careful steps put together in a way that makes the finished product feel more cohesive.

 

When your team pays attention to details you don’t notice the details at all. Instead, you just feel like everything just “works together perfectly.” That’s what the absence of errors and shortcuts looks like.

 

The Other Reason Patio Contractors Need to Look at Details

Obviously, you want to hire a patio contractor who’s going to leave you pleased with the results when they are finished. That’s not the only reason to think about their attention to detail, though. The hidden benefit might be even more important.

 

Here’s what I mean: More than two decades of work in this industry have taught me that paying attention to the little things is a habit. If your patio contractor is doing all of the little things right in one area, then they are probably doing a good job elsewhere, as well.

 

I’ve seen it again and again. The kind of professionals who will look over plans, get permits, and order precisely the right parts and features ahead of time are the same ones who will double-check things like slopes and drainage. Likewise, if they are putting the necessary time and effort into the beginning of your project, then they won’t rush through at the end.

 

The opposite is also true. If you meet with a patio contractor who does sloppy work in the places that are visible, you can be very sure there are more issues you can’t see. Or, if they go too fast during the design and discovery phase, then they will also speed through site preparation and construction.

 

What I’m really getting at here is the value of pride in craftsmanship. The best patio contractors want to build a perfect outdoor space for you, both because it’s satisfying for you and because it makes them happier to do great work. Someone who just wants your money will settle for details that are “good enough.”

 

You already know which kind of team you want to hire. So, how do you use this information to get the decision right?

 

How to Find the Right Patio Contractor Near You

It’s easy to find a patio contractor who will look after the little details (and the big ones) once you know what you’re looking for. That’s because it all comes down to the way they approach their work and the standards for excellence they maintain.

 

If you want to be sure you’re getting work you can be proud of, follow these steps as you meet with different companies:

  • Ask lots of questions and listen to the answers. Do you get the sense that your salesperson or design consultant is rushed, or are they taking their time? The best won’t move forward until you understand everything that’s important.
  • Look at some properties they have already worked on. You can see them online, of course, but it’s better if you get to view them in person. Then you can decide whether everything looks perfect or not.
  • While viewing their portfolio, speak to some recent customers. What do they have to say about the patio contractor you’re thinking about hiring?
  • Examine the guarantees your patio contractor offers. The best in this business won’t mind backing up their work. We do it because we know we’re using the right materials and practices and want you to be 100% satisfied.

 

Or, if you want to shortcut this process – and happen to have a home in or near the Saugus, Massachusetts, area – then reach out to the team at Stefano’s Landscaping. We’ll be happy to arrange an at-home consultation for you and go from there!