How to Select a Good Paving Contractor
Quality paving installation comes at a premium. Since 1995 we have seen many paving installations and problems on sites. The installation of paving is a skill and it costs money to do it properly. Herewith some common questions to ask a contractor in order to assess if you will get what you expect.
The questions below will guide you in identifying what aspects a contractor should adhere to in order to ensure a structurally sound paving installation. The table will help you identify the difference between a good, risky and bad paving contractor.
Type of Contractor |
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Questions to ask a paving contractor |
World Class |
Risky |
Incompetent |
Will you dig up any soil? | ![]() |
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Will you construct a foundation layer with G5 material or similar? | ![]() |
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Will you compact the foundation layer using a roller or heavy plate compactor? | ![]() |
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Do you have a plan for drainage and water runoff? | ![]() |
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Will you lay pavers and kerbs on edges in concrete and haunch it with concrete? | ![]() |
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Are you going to bed the pavers in moist bedding sand, screeded in sections? | ![]() |
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Will you have a plate compactor on site all the time when installing my driveway? | ![]() |
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Will you install flagstones on a concrete bed? | ![]() |
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Will you move pavers on site without tipping wheelbarrows? | ![]() |
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Will you draw pavers from different packs when installing? | ![]() |
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Will your cutting be clean, straight and accurate? | ![]() |
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Will you grout my flagstones with special paving grout? | ![]() |
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Will you have experienced supervision on site? | ![]() |
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Will you remove rubble promptly? | ![]() |
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Will you have a toilet on site? | ![]() |
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Cleanliness and professionalism? | ![]() |
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Good admin and systems? | ![]() |
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Do you require a deposit? | Usually requires 50% upfront | If the contractor wants more than 50% upfront, you are at risk. | Usually requires more than 50% upfront. |
Will you try substitute quality pavers with a cheaper product from an unreliable supplier? | ![]() |
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Can I contact the contractor even after installation is complete? | ![]() |
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Will the contractor take responsibility if things go wrong? | ![]() |
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Type of Contractor |
|||
Questions to ask a paving contractor |
World Class |
Risky |
Incompetent |
Will you dig up any soil? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you construct a foundation layer with G5 material or similar? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you compact the foundation layer using a roller or heavy plate compactor? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Do you have a plan for drainage and water runoff? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you lay pavers and kerbs on edges in concrete and haunch it with concrete? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Are you going to bed the pavers in moist bedding sand, screeded in sections? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you have a plate compactor on site all the time when installing my driveway? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you install flagstones on a concrete bed? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you move pavers on site without tipping wheelbarrows? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you draw pavers from different packs when installing? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will your cutting be clean, straight and accurate? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you grout my flagstones with special paving grout? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you have experienced supervision on site? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you remove rubble promptly? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will you have a toilet on site? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Cleanliness and professionalism? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Good admin and systems? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Do you require a deposit? | Usually requires 50% upfront | If the contractor wants more than 50% upfront, you are at risk. | Usually requires more than 50% upfront. |
Will you try substitute quality pavers with a cheaper product from an unreliable supplier? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Can I contact the contractor even after installation is complete? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Will the contractor take responsibility if things go wrong? | ![]() |
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