Over the years, I’ve done plenty of consultations for people looking to install a paver patio. After gathering the necessary measurements and details to prepare an estimate, I often hear this response: “I received a significantly cheaper estimate from another contractor and will be moving forward with them.”
Wait a second! How are they able to offer such a low price for a paver patio?
Curious, I’ve asked clients to share the other contractor’s estimate, and some have. What I found shocked me: The other companies were cutting corners. They weren’t properly excavating the soil and were leveling the ground with roadbase instead of using a proper foundation.
Roadbase is a mix of crushed fines and larger pieces (about 3/8-inch). In Colorado, where we experience significant freezing and thawing during the winter, roadbase becomes a big problem. Moisture from snow seeps under the pavers and collects in the crushed fines. When temperatures drop at night, that moisture freezes and expands. This freeze-thaw cycle happens over and over, eventually causing the pavers to shift and settle. What once looked like a beautifully crafted patio now resembles a DIY disaster.
To prevent these issues, you need an open-graded base. I recommend using 3/4-inch #57 rock, which contains little to no crushed fines. This prevents moisture from collecting during freeze-thaw cycles, reducing the chance of pavers shifting or settling.
With this open-graded base method, we confidently offer a 5-year craftsmanship warranty against sinking or settling on our paver patios. Yes, this approach is more expensive in materials and labor, but it ensures you only have to pay for this project once, not twice.
Don’t let a cheaper quote fool you. Cutting corners can cost you far more in the long run. When you’re ready for a patio built to last, give us a call. And to those contractors skipping steps…well, let’s just say I’ll be waiting for their unhappy customers to call me for a replacement!
