I’ve been in the patio renovation business for 25+ years now. That’s a good thing for myself and my company, of course, but I also think it’s good for my customers. 

A lot of the articles I’ve posted lately have emphasized the experience and stability I have on my team. As we approach the end of another calendar year – and a well-deserved holiday break for so many of us – I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the ingredients of our success that I think matter the most. 

The keys to our continued growth come down to little differences. They are things that aren’t only important to us, but also to you. I could talk about my company all day long. But I’m assuming you read through these pages because you want to know what you can do to hire the right patio contractor and see the job finished in a way that will leave you feeling satisfied with the work for many years to come.

I think the core ideas I have to share feed right into that. So, let’s look at what has made Stefano’s Landscaping so successful… not just in 2025, but in the two plus decades that came before.

 

We Always Put Our Customers First

This is such an easy thing to say. In fact, I suspect some of you who read it won’t take it seriously. But it means a lot to me, and it’s something we practice on a daily basis.

What does putting customers first look like? It’s really about the little things. We show up when we say we will, we stay in regular communication while work continues, and we act like friendly professionals when we are on your property. But more than that, it’s a matter of giving good recommendations for the short and long term.

Every homeowner we meet has a different set of needs, each with their own budget and timeline. Our goal is to help them balance all of those factors. And, we want to do it in a way that impresses them with the quality of our work now and leaves them feeling happy about the decisions they’ve made years into the future.

Too many patio contractors emphasize short-term sales and profits over the reviews, referrals, and repeat clients that show up over decades. Sometimes we have to give honest advice that means we make a little bit less money. Or, we see something that isn’t quite right and redo part of the job because that’s how we would want it to be in our own homes.

That’s the essence of putting customers first, and it’s probably the most important thing we can do to stay successful to date and in the future.

 

We Use High-Quality Materials

This is another one of those factors that sounds simple and obvious until you realize that not everyone follows the same approach.

Getting patio materials from reputable, high-quality manufacturers with established warranties is a non-negotiable idea for us. On the one hand, that means we pay higher costs for materials and accessories than some other companies do. But on the other hand, it means we know exactly what we are giving our customers and how happy they’ll be with those choices later on.

In the patio renovation business, we are constantly approached by new suppliers and manufacturers. However, some of them don’t have track records we can believe in, or guarantees they are willing to stand behind. There are brands we don’t know well enough, or products we don’t feel confident will stand up to many years in the challenging New England climate. So we don’t buy, use, or recommend them.

Some other patio contractors ignore these concerns and try to undercut us on price. That can work in the short-term, but what happens when parts of the patio need to be repaired or replaced in just a few years? Ultimately, the homeowners who work with us are always pleased they got the best. 

Work with my company you can be sure we will never install something we wouldn’t want installed in our own homes. Using the best materials is just another way of saying we put our customers first.

 

We See Every Project as a Unique Patio Renovation Challenge

On the surface, working as a patio contractor might seem a little repetitive. After all, we do end up installing pavers, pools, and outdoor fireplaces (as examples) again and again. Go deeper, though, and you’ll realize there are an endless series of puzzles to solve.

As I’ve noted many times before, every property is unique. And, every homeowner has a different set of wishes, preferences, and constraints. Put those all together and you have a challenge that differs from week to week. It’s like you’re a painter who uses a certain set of colors, but every patron wants a different portrait on a unique three-dimensional canvas. You have to get good at thinking outside the box.

To put this another way, your property has unique dimensions, along with existing slopes, trees, power lines, and other considerations. Where your neighbors are located, the shape of your plot, and how the sun moves across your area can all affect design considerations – and that’s before we consider what you like and how you want to enjoy your outdoor space.

With this in mind, my team and I approach every situation as a brand-new challenge. We try not to assume anything. Instead, we ask lots and lots of questions, make drawings, compare notes, and look for ways to bring the vision to life. Then, when we understand the variables, we try to use our experience without relying on the same ideas again and again.

That might be an unusual way to approach patio renovation, but it’s one that has happy customers coming back to us year after year.

 

Does Your Patio Renovation Have a Track Record of Success?

As we turn the calendar to a new year, ask yourself what kinds of changes or improvements you would like to make around your property in 2026. Then ask yourself what kind of patio contractor you would want to carry them out for you.

If you’re interested in working with the best, or just getting a quote on some renovations or installations around your property, we hope you’ll give us a chance. Stefano’s Landscaping has been the leading patio contractor in the Saugus, Massachusetts area for 20+ years. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at your property and start the new year off with something special.

 

Happy holidays to all of our friends, readers, and customers!