10/2013 - SEEKING NEW RECOMMENDATIONS ON HARDSCAPE CONTRACTORS (eg, concrete/brick walls, stamped concrete patios, formed concrete, driveways, water falls & pond elements, etc)

 

Concrete Pavers (Driveways or other areas) as of Sept., 2023

Things to consider:

  • Be sure to get at least two estimates before starting
    • This will help with understanding the more recent costs
    • You almost always learn something different/more from each potential contractor
    • Know what you want before you contact the contractor. Do a bit of research on paving materials and patterns.
  • Consider including drainage issues in your contract, so that runoff from your roof will not run onto your pavers an, causing potential safety hazards and perhaps eventual compromising of the soil under your pavers and concrete.
  • Determine if having your pavers sealed with a spray on sealant is worthwhile to protect the ability to clean unexpected oil or other spills.
  • Contact neighbors and friends to see their paver installations, and to ask questions about contractors, such as:
    • How timely and clear were communications with the contractor and/or the contractor’s office or onsite crew?
    • How closely did the contractor stick to the proposed costs and installations?
  • Bonus points: did the contractor do some extra things that improved the installation at no extra cost?

Recommendations for paving contractors from Sarah ([email protected]) and Dox Doxiadis, Adele Avenue, September, 2023

  1. Alfonso Lopez:  1 408-595-6101 (did not use, but did have a competitive bid)
    Recommended by Grant Grundler who had an installation done in 2016. As of this posting, Grant is on MLN email.
    He arrived on time, was pleasant, open to discussion, listened well, took measurements, looked over the driveway and garden areas we wished to have paved. Offered project costs and options with driveway only or driveway and a garden area included. Knowledgeable. Has also done paver work for others in our ‘hood, albeit some time ago.
    Alfonso can also deal with landscaping and irrigation issues.
  2. M.B. Masonry - Julian Menjivar (The contractor we chose, and with whom we are *very* happy!) 
    Julian can also deal with landscaping, irrigation and small shed installations.
    Recommended by Tricia DelGaudio (2021/2022?) and Scott Hutton (summer of 2022). As of this posting, both are on MLN email.
    M.B. Masonry Inc.
    1085 Tasman Dr Spc 762
    Sunnyvale, CA 94089 US
    (650)-625-7253
    [email protected]m

Our experience with M.B. Masonry/Julian Menjivar:

  • Julian delivered everything within estimated costs. The project ran about 1/2 day longer than hoped, but took about 5.5 days of labor time, from one Monday morning to the next Monday at noontime.
  • Included:
    • Paving an extended area around our front driveway (including two underground extensions of drainage from the roof to areas in the yard, and a conduit running horizontally under the pavers, should we want to install electric lights or additional drip irrigation in the future.)
    • Paving a section of back patio and pathway to back gate (including underground extension of rooftop drainage, and lifting up of the old shed in the back so that water from the pavers will not flood into it!)
  • Communications were pretty good. Contact in person, by text, phone, or email was within reasonable and predictable expectations. Julian’s son, Elvis, was onsite for the initial deconstruction and much of the construction; Julian check in most days to ensure all was going well and deal with any issues. The crew were also easy to talk with  and cleaned up at the end of every day. It was lovely to watch the crew work - they clearly knew what they were doing and communicated with each other.
  • Bonus points:
    • Because purchasing a partial pallet of pavers costs as much as buying a full pallet, we got a very nice 1/2 pallet of pavers of the various sizes included and neatly stacked in the back yard! We will save some in case of any future damage to the paver installations (tree root intrusion for example) and did use some of the others for a smaller project.
    • Because there was a bit extra of paving sealer, Julian sealed our extra paver project (which he did NOT install) for free after sealing the work his crew had done! It took them less than 10 minutes to do, and he did it without being asked! Nice touch!

 

Mr. Pavers, Grahame Lawrence 650-440-9568

We just had our patio done by Mr. Pavers and we love it. In less than 3 days they pulled out the old patio and installed a new patio twice the size with a matching side walk in beautiful Calstone pavers. They were professional and courteous, lightning fast, cleaned up everything and did a final walk through inspection with us. We couldn't be happier.

We received multiple bids for both natural stone and pavers. In the end we chose Mr. Pavers because they instilled the most confidence. We worked with Grahame Lawrence who came out and helped us design a patio that perfectly fits our space. They added a gentle curve to the side walk that adds dimension and grace and even re-routed our down spouts so the water drains away from the house. The patio is also graded to so water flows away from the foundation.

They offer a quality product and quality workmanship. Fair, honest, up front, out the door pricing. I highly recommend them

Grahame Lawrence 
Mr. Pavers 
650-440-9568 
[email protected] 
[WWW]http://www.mrpaverstone.com/

Gregory on Lida, 11/7/2011

Magana Masonry - Joaquim Magana- 650-269-4418

Joaquim installed a side patio for us using pavers (as well as a cistern for drainage). He asked all the right questions about drainage, design and our preferences. He was very attentive to details (this job required a lot of custom cutting of stones as we put in many curved pathways). We had found lower quotes, but those people did not have experience with pavers and failed to ask us the right questions. Joaquim and his crew were very pleasant to work with. He is a licensed contractor. I highly recommend this contractor. Feel free to call me to see their work, 650-967-3855 Julie. (jbaher - 7/25/06)

Sunrise Landscaping - Chris Hilton - (408) 866-7480

Chris and crew installed the "bed" for my hot tub and the walkway around the hot tub to my back door one year and then the patio and stepping stones to and in my side yards the next year. He came highly recommended by the owner of Hotsprings Spas in San Jose, where I bought my hot tub. But I went out and looked at several of his jobs (and those of others recommended to me) and was very impressed. Chris not only did a great job both times, but he was wonderful to work with, matched up the stones really well, and actually allowed me to help him put the puzzle together. To see what I mean, check out my web pages that document the whole process: [WWW]http://www.cjasper.com/cheryl/hottub.htm. I highly recommend this contractor. (cjasper - 6/2/05)

Mark Maumalanga, Davana Construction (650) 630-3129

mailto:[email protected]

Mark and his crew installed two large brick patios for us in our back yard. In addition, they replaced our grass with fresh sod and redid our entire sprinkler and drip system. They gave us a very reasonable price (we got several bids) and were very efficient, completing the job in less than 3 weeks. I also appreciated the fact that they cleaned up there mess promptly, usually within one day. Mark is very easy to talk to and would love to have some more business in our neighborhood. (recommended by Karen Fitch and Sunil Patel 10/24/05)

Comment April 5, 2012 re: Mark Maumalanga & Davana Construction 
The Class B General Building Contractor License for Davana Construction (#818528) expired in 2007. I could not find any current information on this company. 
GMason - Thompson Ave

Dave Raphael, [WWW]Cal-Native Landscaping (650) 341-2333

Dave was recommended to me by a neighbor who actually did not hire him. I hired him to redesign and landscape my courtyard because his aesthetics are aligned very closely with mine, and his price was fair and reasonable. He came and gave me an estimate within a few days of my first call to him. Then he virtually disappeared (didn't reply to my emails or return my phone calls) for a few weeks. Eventually, I left him a message saying that I'd done the prep he asked me to do (remove all the trees and plants) and was ready for him. He called me one night and said he had a sudden break in his schedule and could start the next morning, which he did. We're about half a day away from completion, and I'm VERY pleased! Have a look at the process on my web site, if you want. Dave's part starts in the middle of [WWW]this page. To see the "before" pictures, [WWW]look here. Posted by cjasper - 12/3/06

Systems Paving, Inc. - 1-866-591-PAVE - License 661575 - www.systemspaving.com

"Our Quality is Set in Stone" Driveways; Patios; Pool Decks; Walkways

This very professional company paved our front courtyard (32' x 32')using Calstone interlocking unit pavers charcoal grey. They removed the old concrete and installed the new pavers in only four days. The work also included a new front stoop. They have their own crew, in our case 6-8 men, who arrived on time and cleaned up everything when the job was done. This was a big job and it was expensive, but the work was top quality, there is a lifetime guarantee on the pavers from cracking or breaking, and a two year warranty on labor/installation. Systems Paving, Inc. is a "Diamond Certified" company in Alameda county. If you are interested in seeing the new courtyard, please feel free to call or stop by.

Nadine and Kevin O'Leary 
205 Thompson Square 
965-1827 
5/19/08

Richard Low "In the Mud" Concrete - (650) 964-5819 - cell (650) 444-3101

CA license C-8 #7369256

Richard excavated my old crumbled asphalt driveway, replaced a sewer cleanout under the driveway, and installed a larger exposed aggregate driveway in 6 large sections and 2 small sections. He has his own trailer-mounted cement mixer and, for this job, did all the work single-handed. This allowed him to do a careful, well controlled job, doing each task in the proper sequence. He is an extremely hard worker and communicated well, listening to my suggestions and questions, and he demonstrated extensive knowledge of the processes involved. The job was completed to my specifications and complete satisfaction. His bid was lower than another reputable contractor and higher than a couple of dubious, door-to-door unlicensed contractors. I waited a year before responding to his original proposal, but he did the job for the original estimate, despite some minor changes in my requirements.

I provided space in my garage to store his power tools. The job took several weeks, and the site was necessarily messy during that time, with the cement mixer and another trailer at the curb and many buckets, tools, and assorted materials scattered about. He tended to arrive at midday, then sometimes worked into the night, using floodlights, but he did not run machinery at night. At completion, he did a very thorough cleanup, even chipping, shoveling, and scrubbing away cement residue from the gutter so that it would not be washed down the street.

I had admired another aggregate drive he had installed some time ago on Alvin, and he was also recommended to me by Christine on Laura Lane. Richard lives nearby, on Sierra Vista.

Harry, 
2411 Benjamin Dr, 
12/12/2006

Driveway contractors collected by Margo in Feb, 2008

For driveway, Samscaping did a fine job. Owner is Sam Whitney, who is very knowledgeable. Every aspect of his workmanship is outstanding. Licensed for Landscaping; has masonry/brick crew to do driveways, etc. [MAILTO]Email Sam 650-965-9150 [WWW]Samscaping

A driveway can be installed by the landscaper we used. His name is Frank Valle at 771-3342 Angie's List Driveway referrals with 3 or more rave reviews (all licensed).

Valley Concrete: big company, great work, foreman you can reach via cell, very responsive, very busy and might take a long time to get back to you. [WWW]Valley Concrete

Vaccaro Concrete: 3 rave reviews. Less $$ than others, fine workmanship, "old world style" of doing business, handwritten quotes, elder Italian contractor with English as 2nd language (listen carefully), gentlemanly, honorable, comes with 1 assistant, meticulous, perfect wor

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