Which Patio Installers Near Me Should I Work With?

Even after 20+ years in the landscaping business, I wouldn’t want to need to find other patio installers near me. That’s because homeowners always face a bit of a catch-22 situation. On the one hand, they can’t enjoy their dream of a beautiful outdoor space until they choose a vendor to work with. But if they get that decision wrong it’s going to lead to delays, headaches, and possibly a lot of wasted money.

With that in mind, I can understand why so many new customers feel a little bit nervous about meeting me and my team. In today’s post, I want to help you answer that all-important question so many homeowners ask: which patio installers near me should I work with?

In order to help you find the right choice, I’m going to include a handful of questions you should ask about each company you meet. You don’t necessarily need to say these out loud, of course, but they should be in your mind as you have designers over to visit.

Will They Meet With Me at My Home?

Any reputable patio contractor should be happy to visit you at your home to talk through design options and budgets. At my company, it’s the first thing we do on any new project.

I think this is a crucial step for a few reasons. First, it makes things more convenient for the homeowner which, as always, should be our first job. We come to them so they don’t have to come to us.

The second reason is that you want a designer to actually see your property before they make any recommendations. They’ll need to know things about the slope, drainage, and access to roads and utilities before they can talk about possibilities. Be very, very wary of any contractor who would give you a proposal without seeing your backyard for themselves.

And finally, visiting you at home gives the patio installer a chance to get a better sense of you and how you want to use your space. Ultimately, understanding your preferences is even more crucial than getting the literal lay of the land. You should never skip this step, and you shouldn’t work with a contractor who would even suggest doing so.

Do I Feel Like I Can Trust This Company?

This one factor is more important than all the others combined. If you trust a patio contractor to put your interests first and do a great job, then they can probably work something out and know you’ll be happy with the result. But if you don’t have that level of trust, no price is going to make their offer a good deal.

I live and work in the Saugus, Massachusetts, area. That means there are plenty of patio installers near me. There are some of them I would trust almost as much as my own team. In other cities there are contractors I wouldn’t want to work on my house even if they offered to do the job for free.

A good contractor will put you at ease. They’ll take their time to explain your options, answer your questions, and get a feel for your lifestyle. You will get the time to talk about what you want, what you don’t want, and how you plan to use your patio.

You might not have the industry knowledge I do, but you can always trust your gut. That should be your first and most crucial consideration.

Am I Getting Suggestions or a Sales Pitch?

This essentially carries on from the last point, but it’s worth spelling out. It’s perfectly fine for a patio installer to make suggestions after they’ve asked about your dreams and preferences. However, you definitely shouldn’t feel like you are being sold on extras or being asked to commit to something that doesn’t make you feel comfortable.

At my company we have a couple of rules around consultations. One is that we never talk money with a potential customer until we feel confident that we understand what kind of patio they are dreaming of. Another is that we won’t accept the project if we don’t think it’s going to turn out well. That means the job meets our customer’s expectations as well as our own.

If we get the sense that we are uneasy with someone, or that they feel nervous about working with us, then we don’t move ahead. You should have the same comfort level with any patio installer you’re thinking of working with.

Is Their Work Going to Last?

When I look around at the patio installers near me, there are a handful that have been in business for years and another few who are brand new. The new guys might do great work, but I wouldn’t hire them to install features on my property unless I didn’t have another choice.

This isn’t to say they wouldn’t do a good job. In fact, they could turn out to offer great value. It’s just that I’ve seen too many patio renovation projects go wrong because an inexperienced contractor ordered an incorrect part, took steps in the wrong order, or missed a crucial detail. I know just how frustrating, expensive, and time-consuming those sorts of slip-ups can be.

You want to hire a patio installation team with a track record of success. That doesn’t just ensure things will go more smoothly, but also that you’ll get a patio that lasts.

Are Other Homeowners Happy to Recommend Them?

If I were checking out patio installers near me, I’d want to look at online reviews and talk with referrals.

At my company we are happy to have new customers talk with others who have hired us in the past. Ideally, we can point them at neighbors who can say we did everything we promised and delivered a finished patio that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Those are the kinds of endorsements you’re looking for. Be sure you get them before you sign an agreement or pay a deposit to your patio installer.

Is Stefano’s Landscaping the Best Patio Installer Near You?

If your property is located in the Saugus, Massachusetts, area then we might be the perfect team to help transform your outdoor space into something special. Contact us today to schedule a free at-home consultation and see how we can help.