Are you dreaming of transforming your outdoor space through hardscaping? Finding the right professional for the job is crucial to ensuring the success of your project.
What is a Hardscape Contractor?
A hardscape contractor is a specialized professional who installs hardscape products such as segmental concrete pavements, pavers, slabs, permeable pavers, retaining walls, and other durable materials like natural rock.
Hiring a qualified hardscape contractor is critical because you’re investing in long-lasting interlocking concrete pavement. Like any construction project, the quality of the finished product is highly dependent on the quality of the contractor doing the work.
Selecting a contractor you can trust and that fits your style needs more than a quick online search. Our top 7 tips will help you confidently navigate the process to hire a skilled professional who can bring your vision to life.
Tip 1: Research and Gather Visual Inspiration
Before meeting with contractors, do some preliminary research to get an idea of the style and elements you might want to include. Think about how you want to use this outdoor space and how you visualize yourself, your family, or your friends spending time there.
“Look on the internet for photographs of backyards and pull together a collection of photos that you like or would like to emulate in your backyard. This helps give contractors a sense of what you’re trying to achieve,” said Robert Bowers, VP of Engineering – Hardscapes at the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA).
Consider visiting home shows to see various hardscape materials and installations in person. You can also look closer to home.
“Drive around your neighborhood and see if there is a hardscaper doing an install on a street nearby,” Bowers said. “…Look at other installations in your neighborhood that are progressing. If they are good hardscapers, you should be able to say, ‘These guys are neat. They’re organized. The site is always cleaned up at the end of the day. That went in really quick.’ Monitor those other projects. It can be useful for ideas and as a reference.”
You want to come to your initial conversation with a contractor prepared with a general idea of what you want – ex. a raised patio with steps down to the lawn and a sitting area with a fire pit – but avoid getting too specific about products and materials at the outset. Contractors have extensive knowledge about what is available, what works best in different situations, and what works for different budgets.
“If a homeowner gets set on a specific shape and color, it could be discontinued by the time you are ready to build. When you’re locked into ‘that’s what I want,’ it’s hard for the contractor to be the bad guy and say, ‘Sorry, I can’t get you that,’” Bowers said.
Use your research efforts to help you communicate your preferences effectively without becoming fixated on specific products.
Tip 2: Get At Least Three Written Proposals
Following your research, get written proposals from at least three contractors. Make sure each contractor visits your home before providing their proposal.
Our CMHA Contractor Comparison Checklist can aid you in the contractor selection process. It’s intended to ensure you are gathering the same information from each contractor so you can better compare options and inform discussions with the professionals.
Each proposal should include:
- A detailed drawing showing locations of all materials to be removed and constructed
- Dates for starting and completion
- Details about demolition, excavation, and relocations
- Information about paving, base aggregate, and all materials that will be used
- All applicable taxes
- Payment terms
“A drawing provides much clearer communication about what will be constructed,” Bowers said. “As the saying goes, a pictures are worth a thousand words.”
Tip 3: Don’t Make Decisions Based on Budget Alone
The rough rule of thumb when considering the total cost of a project is that about 50 percent of the cost is materials and 50 percent is labor. This may shift depending on the complexity of the craftsmanship and details of the project, but it’s important to remember that labor could be the single biggest expense of the whole project. Hardscape experts have the knowledge, experience, and equipment necessary to complete high-quality outdoor projects efficiently and safely and proposals will reflect this skilled labor.
When comparing proposals, it can feel tempting to go with the lowest bid. But the lowest bid might not always be the best option.
“What is the right price? Well, that’s ambiguous. You can’t really define that,” Bowers said. “But if you have three contractors quote it. One says $10,000, one says $11,000, the other says $20,000. Then you can get a sense of what’s right for your project.”
This initial budget reality check helps you prioritize elements you really want or to plan for phased construction.
“If you ask for everything, you will get the price that includes everything,” Bowers said. “It’s good to have a lofty goal, but be prepared for the price, and be prepared to scale it back.”
Tip 4: Verify Experience and Certifications
When evaluating potential contractors, ask the following critical questions:
- How long have they been installing hardscapes?
- How many projects have they complete of similar scope and size to your project?
- Where have they received their training? A manufacturer, CMHA, or somewhere else?
- Do they have CMHA Certified Installers on staff that will work on your project?
- Will they install the job per CMHA best practices?
- What percentage of their business consists of installing hardscape materials?
The CMHA specifically recommends hiring a CMHA Certified Concrete Paver Installer and/or a CMHA Certified Segmental Retaining Wall Installer for your project. These professionals have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise through rigorous certification processes.
You can find certified hardscape professionals through the CMHA’s hardscape contractor directory and certified installers directory.
Tip 5: Check References and Portfolio
Request at least three references from each contractor, including both recent and past projects. Don’t just collect these names; contact them and, if possible, inspect the completed work.
“Referrals from somebody you know, like a neighbor, are particularly valuable,” Bowers said. “They’ve experienced the entire process with this contractor and can provide authentic feedback.”
Additionally, ask to see a portfolio of photos demonstrating the contractor’s range of skills and quality of workmanship. This visual evidence of past projects can help you assess their capabilities and style.
Tip 6: Confirm Insurance and Guarantees
Before any work begins, verify that your contractor has proper insurance coverage:
- Request proof that Worker’s Compensation insurance covers all employees on the job
- Ask for a copy of their current Liability Insurance certificate
- Confirm that they have provided these documents before beginning any construction
“Don’t hand over any money until that proof is given,” Bowers said. “…You need to see that documentation before proceeding with any work on your property.” Without it, if there is an accident on your project, you may be liable for any losses or injuries.
Also ask the contractor about their warranty. How long do they warranty their work and under what situations does it not apply. Also ask whether they return to inspect completed projects after some time has passed.
Tip 7: Understand It’s a Mutual Process
When hiring a hardscape contractor, remember that this isn’t like purchasing an item off a shelf. Instead, both parties are determining if they can work together successfully.
“It’s not your typical transactional interaction,” Bowers said. “It’s more of an interview process for both sides.”
Try to ensure you are both respecting each other’s time in this mutual process by minimizing the back and forth in the proposal process. Consider sending over the specifics of the Contractor Comparison Checklist so they know how you will be evaluating them and what information you are looking for. This can be helpful even in advance of a first meeting.
“This is probably one of the biggest purchases a homeowner will make without being able to take it out for a test drive. If you’re buying a house, you usually get to do a walk through and inspection or you can tour the model house to see how it will be built and finished. You’re going to get a sense of what the windows are like, the doors with the hardware, with the sinks, with the kitchen lit. You get a sense of it. When you buy a car, you look at lots of cars. You take a few out for a test drive. You choose the one that you’re most comfortable with. But when we’re going to get our backyard hardscaped, there’s no real walk through,” Bowers said.
“It’s one of the biggest expenses a homeowner could make that is based on faith. That’s where it’s important to not only receive the proposal and look at the price, but also ask yourself, ‘Can I work with this company?’”
Ready to Get Started?
Finding the right hardscape contractor requires thorough research, careful comparison, and clear communication. By following these top tips, you’ll be well-equipped to select a professional who can transform your outdoor vision into reality.
Explore the CMHA website for more resources on hardscape projects and to find certified hardscape professionals in your area.