Every year we talk with homeowners who are new to working with patio contractors. They tend to ask lots of questions (as they should) and compare a handful of quotes.

Although they usually don’t say it directly, I can tell that they sometimes wonder why working with us can cost a little more and take a little longer. There is always another firm who says they can begin sooner or keep their costs down.

The temptation to save money and have your patio finished faster is understandable. And yet, we feel very strongly that working with experienced professionals is almost always worth the money.

To help you understand why, and to keep you from making some common patio renovation mistakes, here are some things to know and remember…

Preparation is the Key to Patio Renovation
A finished deck, patio, or pool is only as solid as the foundation below it. A good patio contractor will take the time to understand your soil, slope, and drainage to ensure everything sets and sits properly. Over the long run that will make your finished patio more comfortable and durable.

Some companies might rush through site preparation and excavation because they know you probably won’t notice until it’s too late. But move too quickly through this step and you’ll end up with problems like cracking and sinking within just a few years.

Grading and Drainage Matter More Than You Know
When dealing with water and soil, experience and specialized skills matter. That’s because different types of ground can hold moisture in different ways. Your patio itself needs to be level, but the property needs to shed water efficiently if you don’t want degraded pavers and posts or flooding.

The bigger your property, the more important it is to get the details right. In some cases you might need underground piping, retaining walls, or other features to manage drainage. You’ll also want your patio contractor to be wary of things like utilities and property lines to avoid future headaches.

Quality Lives in the Details
Sometimes hiring a lazy or inexperienced patio contractor doesn’t leave an obvious sign. Instead, you just get the feeling that certain details are “off,” or don’t look as sharp as they could. This is usually the sort of thing that can happen when pavers aren’t completely square, masonry finishes aren’t completely clean, or pieces like nail heads are showing.

Getting things right doesn’t take a huge amount of extra time and effort, but it does require the right habits. You’ll usually find that the best, most experienced, and most deliberate patio contractors have reviews and portfolios that show off their attention to detail. Other competitors don’t.

Safety Should be a Top Concern
Naturally, every patio contracting team should work to keep themselves and their customers safe around working zones. But being careful doesn’t end when the last truck pulls away. That’s especially true when you’re having pavers, decks, or larger features like outdoor kitchens installed.

We take it for granted that the gas lines, outdoor lighting, and footing on a finished patio won’t pose risks to residents, children, or even pets. But when companies start cutting corners on time and money it’s easy to pass over small checks and safety measures. That’s just another reason that experience and dependability are worth a few extra days and dollars.

Your Patio Might Keep Growing
Sometimes, investing in quality patio renovation work isn’t just about what you want to get today. It can also affect your plans for the future.

It’s becoming more and more common for homeowners to plan their patio installations in stages. In some cases it can make it easier from a financial flexibility point of view. In other cases the renovation might proceed in steps because families grow and needs change. Either way, having a quality foundation means you can keep building on what you have, rather than having to scrap the design and start all over again.

Your New Patio Should Last for Decades
I truly believe that if we could give all of our potential customers a time machine to see into the future then we would never lose another job. Good patio designs and installations can last decades with the right foundation and minimal upkeep. It makes little sense to save a small fraction of the money today but lose years of value later.

The faster and cheaper a patio renovation company works, the less likely it is that what they’ve put together will be something you can be proud of – or even enjoy – in ten or fifteen years’ time.

You’ll Often End Up Paying the Same Amount
This is maybe the biggest secret in the business, and one I’ve written about in previous posts. It’s very often the case that my patio renovation company isn’t the most expensive in our area. We just happen to quote projects honestly and realistically.

While we will tell you how much a project will cost and how long it will take from the start, not every business in our industry operates that way. Some try to lock you in with too-good-to-be-true prices and murky agreements that give them plenty of wiggle room when they charge more later.

Looking for a Saugus, Massachusetts Patio Contractor You Can Trust?
At Stefano’s Landscaping we have never promised to be the fastest or the cheapest. We’ve built our reputation on being the best. For 20+ years satisfied customers have been recommending us to their friends and neighbors.

If you’re in the Saugus area and want to see what it’s like to work with us then we encourage you to contact our sales team today. We’ll arrange to meet you at your home, answer any questions you have about patio renovation, and provide you with a no-obligation quote.

At worst, you’ll get some great ideas for your outdoor space. Even better, it might just be the first step towards a more beautiful and valuable home.