Los Angeles paving contractor Explains How to Choose The Best Paver Company for Your Paving Project
All work with trustworthy Los Angeles paving contractor with a proven track record of high-quality work.
Installing high-quality pavers has many advantages for Los Angles-area homeowners, including a high return on investment when it comes to increasing the curb appeal of your home. Pavers for patios, pool decks, and pathways add an extra touch of uniqueness to your home, while pavers for driveways, being the first thing seen from the street, help your house look polished and classy.
Regardless of the location or kind of pavers you want to install, finding a trustworthy, experienced, highly-rated Southern California contractor for the job is tricky. In this step-by-step guide, we walk you through all you need to know to find the paving professional that’s perfect for your project.
Defining Your Project
Before you go on to search for or select a paving company for your project, it’s best to know what you need in advance to streamline your search to contractors that provide the services you need. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself:
- Do you already know exactly what pattern, finish, and type of paving stones you want to be laid, or do you need a design consultation to guide your project goals?
- How flexible is your budget?
- What timeframe do you have in mind?
- Is it a standalone paving project, or is it part of a larger refurbishment, redecoration, or landscaping effort?
Keeping these things in mind in advance will help ensure that the contractor you choose is the best possible fit for your needs.
Researching Contractors
There are several research steps that you should take before contacting potential hires. After all, you don’t want to waste your time chasing down contractors whose work might not be up to scratch or who are known for poor customer service.
- First, gather recommendations from any friends or colleagues who have had similar projects done in the past. There are a huge number of Southern California pavers and Los-Angeles area contractors whose services include paving, and the best way to narrow it down is by gathering the opinions of people that you trust. When seeking out recommendations from a friend, you’ll also be able to see the results of the project firsthand.
- Next, take the list of recommendations you’ve gathered and conduct an online search for the following information:
- What services do they provide? What do they specialize in? What do they have the most experience with? Do they offer design consultation services, if this is something you need? Do they provide residential or commercial services?
- Examples of their work on their website or in reviews. Aside from the quality, is the kind of work they usually do compatible with the goals of your project?
- What materials do they use? Does their catalog provide you with a lot of choices? Are the options versatile? Do they fit with the aesthetic you’re aiming for?
- Client reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and more, which will help you figure out not only the quality of work but additionally, the level of customer service. Even with a glowing recommendation from a friend, colleague, or family member, it’s essential to look at other customers’ reviews. Just because one customer had a great experience with a contractor doesn’t mean this is necessarily always the case.
- Licenses and board certifications, which you should be able to find on a contractor’s website. It is recommended that you cross-check licensing with the Contractor’s State License Board of California to be certain that the credentials are up-to-date. For paving professionals, an ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) certification is a good initial indicator of knowledge, experience, and professionalism. Read more about ICPI certifications here.
3. Finally, call each contractor for a free approximate estimate on your project. This will tell you not only if they’re in the ballpark of your budget, but give you some hints about how their customer service will be throughout the course of your project, including their responsiveness to questions. And remember: if an estimate sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Contacting Potential Hires and Narrowing Down Your List
Your research should have eliminated any unlicensed, untrustworthy, or inexperienced contractors, as well as any whose work isn’t compatible with the goals, style, or scope, of your project. Ideally, you should have a shortlist of contractors that you are excited to work with. At this stage in the process, you should expect to schedule in-person estimate meetings with representatives from the contracting company.
During this meeting, assess the quality of the customer service and how knowledgeable and experienced the representative seems to be, as well as making sure that the quote can be broken down into specific price points. Some companies may email you with a quote in follow-up to the meeting, and this is acceptable too.
Ultimately, the final choice comes down to your project goals, your budget and schedule constraints, and how compatible you are with the culture of the company. These steps should give you some insight into this information. When it comes to drawing the contract, make sure that all details are laid out clearly and nothing is left vague before you sign. If you aren’t satisfied with some part of the contract, let the paving company know, and if at this pre-signing stage it seems they aren’t the right fit for you, remember that you can always choose another company from your list.
Should You Choose a Dedicated Paving Company or a General Contractor?
Many landscaping and construction companies offer paving services in addition to their specialized services. While it may be tempting to settle for a general contractor, especially if your project has more than just paving going on, these companies often lack knowledge and experience and may overcharge as compared to a paving specialist.
In summary, to get the most out of your project, be sure to go with a highly-recommended, experienced, trustworthy Los Angeles paving contractor with a proven track record of high-quality work and appropriate certifications. For more information about pavers and paving projects, click here.