Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for paving stone contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Select Pavers, Inc., the best way to keep clients happy is to prioritize performance on every job, regardless of the extent of the work. “We perform at a high level and provide our clients with great experiences from start to finish,” says owner Luiz Cardoso. “We do this by communicating clearly, keeping jobs on schedule and delivering on our promises.”

Select Pavers has been providing hardscaping services for residential clients in Santa Clara, Alameda and San Mateo Counties since 2013. The family-owned and operated company uses interlocking paving stones to build everything from driveways and walkways to pool decks and patios, all of which can be fully customized.

Unlike paving stone contractors that lack certain industry expertise and rely on the help of subcontractors as a result, Select Pavers has the capabilities to handle every step of the hardscaping process in-house. “We don’t just sell a job and subcontract it to another company—we take care of everything ourselves,” affirms Mr. Cardoso. “We have the technicians, equipment and skills to complete every phase of the job.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Select Pavers is its company-wide emphasis on communication. “We take the time to listen to our clients and get a clear idea of what they’re looking for,” explains Mr. Cardoso. “We also educate them about their options and the overall hardscaping process, which sets us apart from most paving stone contractors.”

When having a new paver driveway installed, be sure to discuss any special circumstances with your contractor.

Any paver driveway should be built to industry standards, but some cases warrant additional measures. For example, Luiz Cardoso, owner of Select Pavers, Inc. in Hayward, says a drainage system may be needed for a driveway that isn’t level. “If your driveway slopes toward the garage, you’ll need to account for drainage; otherwise, you may end up with a garage that’s underwater.”

Another special circumstance is when an oversized vehicle is parked on the driveway. “If you have an RV that you plan to keep parked on the driveway, it can impact the scope of work,” says Mr. Cardoso. “All driveways are designed to provide support for parked vehicles, but if your contractor knows there’s going to be an RV parked there, they can excavate a bit deeper to give that foundation some additional strength. Basically, they would make it a commercial-grade driveway to protect against future settling.”

At the end of the day, Mr. Cardoso says clear communication with your contractor is vital to ensure a satisfactory final product. “Your contractor should ask you about any special circumstances and, if additional measures are needed, explain why. By educating you every step of the way, a quality contractor will be able to give you more confidence in your investment and more satisfaction with the final product.”

Q: How soon can you start my project?
A: We can usually start two or three weeks after your initial call. We’ll give you a range of available dates and you can pick what works best for your schedule.

Q: How long will it take to complete my project?
A: We’re able to complete most jobs within two weeks. The reason we’re able to work so quickly is because we only take on one project at a time. Some companies will have four or five jobs going at once, which causes all of them to progress more slowly. Because of our scheduling, we’re able to perform the work much more efficiently.

Q: How much will my project cost?
A: It depends on the square footage of the area to be paved and the type of pavers you want to use. We also have to factor in access to the project area, surface preparation and removal of old concrete or existing surface material. Once we determine all of those factors, we’ll be able to give you a price.

Q: When do you collect payment?
A: We don’t collect final payment until the end of the job—or, more specifically, until you’re completely satisfied with the final product.

Q: How many people will be working on my project?
A: Typically, we send three to five technicians and one project manager to every job.

Q: How long will my pavers last?
A: Our pavers are made to last a lifetime.

Q: Why should I choose paving stones over stamped concrete?
A: Even though stamped concrete is easy to install, it’s subject to frequent hairline cracking from the moment it’s installed. Paving stones are durable, flexible, and resistant to UV light and weather cycles. They’re also slip-resistant and they don’t require much maintenance.