How to find the right contractor for your hardscape project

Pavers Patio with fire pit, seating walls and steps in Charlotte, NC

There are many companies and individuals offering the same services out there, but how do you find the correct one for you? The one that will check all your boxes.

First Things First

How many boxes do you have? If you have already decided that you are in the market for a contractor, it is important that you first get familiar with your own project. This will help you to make your search easier and more precise. 

If you want to build a patio it is important that you know the size, the material you want to use and how soon you want it done. 

Looking for a contractor on a project that is not clear in your head can make this process very stressful, as ideas, prices and material will continue to change depending on the contractor. 

Take your time playing with the designs and visiting stores to check all the different materials. Once you are set on the size, shape and material you will have a better vision of the project. Vision that you can share with the contractors at the time of finding one. 

Connection is key

It is great to receive quotes that are within your budget, but this shouldn't be the only point to take in consideration when deciding who to hire to work on your retaining wall project. 

The price might be great but the company crew might be rude, messy, or not great communicators. 

One of the scariest things that can happen when working with a contractor, is for him to go missing for days without replaying your text messages, not answering phone calls or not listening to your requests.

It is important to feel comfortable with the person that is working on your project, and to trust that they have your best interest at heart. This means that the contractor will not disappear leaving you hanging for weeks or months with an incomplete project. It won’t add unnecessary expenses making you go over your budget, and that he will give you his best advice from an expertise point. 

If all these sound good, what you are looking for in a contractor then, is not necessarily a great quote, but a trustworthy person that makes you feel you are in good hands. And that is priceless. 

Check their Credentials

This step is very important as it involves experience and confirmation. Look for reviews from other customers and read what they have to say about working with a particular company. Some clients might comment on the same positive or negative aspects of working with that contractor. Their past experiences will help you to get a better idea of what to expect if you decide to go with them. Look for key words like: responsible, professional and quality. 

Another way is to get acquainted with their work before you hire them. Look for pictures of past projects and check if you like what you see. Don’t be afraid to ask them directly to send you pictures of similar projects to yours that have been completed recently.

It is always a good sign when contractors offer a project gallery where you can browse at your own convenience. This means they have put the time and effort for potential clients to look at their work and understand that they need visual help to know their company better.  

And Finally… Look for a Real Partnership

The truth of the matter is that you really don’t want just any other contractor. You want a partner that you can trust with future projects and referrals. Based on our own experience, at Cervenka Masonry, we are blessed to have formed long lasting connections with some of our clients. They feel they can always contact us for even the smallest projects, and truth being told, it is not always convenient to us but we understand that they have formed a bond with our company and that we are their “go to” people. And we appreciate their trust as a rare gift to receive. 

So next time you are looking to hire a contractor, think a little bit more outside the box, spend a couple more minutes doing your research, and remember that a lower price doesn’t always mean it will be cheaper.