You want your new patio to be installed perfectly, so you’re researching local contractors to hire for the job. There are likely many to choose from in your area, and you may not know how to narrow down your search or what factors are most important when making a decision. We’ve put together some considerations to help you select the best contractors for the job!

What Do You Call Someone Who Builds Patios?

To start your search, you need to know what kind of company you’re looking for! For patio installations, you’ll want to use search terms like “patio contractor,” or “hardscape installer.” The key is finding a company that has specialized staff who are familiar with the types of materials to build a patio and how to appropriately design one with proper drainage and leveling. Building a patio takes keen knowledge and planning skills to do it right the first time. A regular landscaper or landscaping company won’t meet your needs—they are experts in designing green features and caring for plants but not in installing hardscape features. While they know their way around a yard, they won’t have the professional experience, equipment, or protection of a hardscaping contractor.

What Should I Ask a Contractor Before Hiring?

There are certain things you should ask every contractor you consider. These questions give comparison points between the companies you are weighing and may quickly eliminate contractors or make them front runners:

• Are you licensed and bonded?
• Do you have experience in custom patio design?
• What kinds of materials do you use?
• Do you have references as well as a design portfolio to review?
• Is your estimate free, and if there is a cost, is that applied to the project?
• Do you charge a flat rate for the project, or is it variable based on the time required to complete?
• Do you charge for additional materials or time?
• What kind of guarantees do you offer?

Be sure to ask as many questions as you can to each company and compare the answers. You may find that certain things matter more to you than others—for instance, you might realize a portfolio of work matters more to you than the estimated costs. Realizing what is most important to you helps narrow the decision.

What Should I Look for When Considering a Patio Contractor?

1. Learn About Their Preferred Materials

Hardscaping contractors may vary in where they get their materials to build a patio and what they recommend customers use. If you’re already set on using a particular material to build your patio, you’ll need to ensure the landscaping contractor is able to get it and has experience with it. It’s also important to ask their thoughts about each material, including what they feel are pros and cons based on experience. A great contractor will be able to help you decide which material is best for your environment and needs.

2. Check for Reviews From Different Sources

Use review websites to gather customer impressions of patio contractors. Websites like Angi, Thumbtack, Google Reviews, and Yelp are a good place to start. Read the reviews thoroughly and look for trends. They could be positive trends where multiple people report great communication or quick work. There may be negative trends in the reviews, such as frequent reports of tardiness or cost overruns. As with any online reviews, take them with a grain of salt—you never know the full story or who is on the other side of the keyboard. You could also use local groups on Facebook or other social media platforms to get suggestions and feedback. Friends and family in the area can also help guide your search if they’ve had similar work done.

3. Play the Field and Get Multiple Quotes

Don’t choose the first company you come across; having a patio installed is an investment, and you want it done right the first time. Perform due diligence and interview multiple companies to get estimates. This should involve a contractor from each company coming out to your home, assessing the space, talking with you about your vision, and discussing how they would approach the project. Once you’ve received multiple proposals, sit down and compare them. Be sure to draw parallels and note where there are differences. Estimates may not be a 1:1 comparison if one includes all costs of materials and labor while another estimate has a variable price based on the time required to complete. Not all patio contractors near Nashville provided guaranteed quotes like Greenway. The benefit of a guaranteed price is that you know from the start what the cost of your project will be, whereas if the price is based on how many hours or how much material it ends up taking, you won’t know until it’s over with.

4. Review Their Policies

All patio contractors should have policies around payment schedules, obtainment of materials, project delays, and other potential issues. Be sure you’re clear on what the rules will be in those scenarios. A good hardscaping company will be open about how they’d handle those situations. If you get vague answers, that should be a warning. You’ll also want to know what their insurance coverage is if something goes wrong during the installation or someone gets hurt. That kind of outcome is rare, but it’s always better to check in advance.

“Work with skilled Nashville hardscaping and outdoor construction professionals who understand your vision and respect your schedule. Contact us for a free quote!”

5. Find Out Their Timeline

Timing is key—how soon can they start your project? If you’re looking for someone who can start immediately but a company is booked out several months in advance, that makes your decision easier. Ask how long the project itself usually takes, and compare that among your estimates. This can help generate follow-up questions as to why some are longer or shorter, helping you further narrow down your choice. Obtaining materials also impacts when your project can start, so if they don’t have them in stock, ask how long things will take to get.

6. Look for Responsiveness and Communication

When you reach out to request a consultation, how long does it take to hear back? If you call or email with a question, are you getting a response within a day or two, or none at all? This can indicate how communication during the project would be if you move forward with that company. Choose a company that not only returns your calls but communicates with you in a way you appreciate, such as using clear explanations or not talking down to you.

At Greenway of Nashville, we’ve been installing patios throughout Tennessee for more than 15 years. From poured concrete to pavers or natural stone, we’ll help turn your patio vision to reality. During our consultation, you’ll be able to tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll help create the plan for how to make it happen. You’ll receive a guaranteed quote for the project that won’t leave you with surprises down the line.

Fall is the perfect time to install a new patio and enjoy the breezy days before winter. Schedule your free consultation to talk with our expert concrete patio contractors near Nashville. Get an estimate before we’re booked up by submitting a form on our website or calling us at (615) 238-4574.

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