Contractor comparison worksheet
Two estimates for the same patio can describe two very different projects. Ask every contractor these questions so you're comparing apples to apples. We've filled in our answers. Type theirs in as you go, then print it or save it as a PDF.
| The company | AVEX Masonry | Contractor A | Contractor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are you licensed and insured in Connecticut? | Yes | ||
| Are you family-owned and operated? | Yes | ||
| Are you a manufacturer-certified installer? | YesTecho-Bloc certified installer | ||
| What is your Google rating? | 5 stars | ||
| Can I see photos of past projects? | YesOnline portfolio and project map |
| Design & proposal | AVEX Masonry | Contractor A | Contractor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is the estimate free? | Yes | ||
| Can you create a 3D design of my project? | Yes, optionalDesign fee is credited back if you move forward | ||
| Do you take before and after photos? | Yes | ||
| Is the proposal detailed, with measurements and every material listed? | YesNo last-minute surprises or change orders | ||
| Will someone walk me through the proposal? | YesZoom walkthrough, questions answered live | ||
| Is the payment schedule clearly written out? | Yes, in the proposal | ||
| Do you offer financing? | YesThrough Regions / EnerBank | ||
| Is there a written warranty? | YesDetails in your written proposal |
| Crew & project | AVEX Masonry | Contractor A | Contractor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is all work done in-house, with no subcontractors? | YesDesign and installation, all in-house | ||
| Is it the same team from measuring to finish? | Yes | ||
| Is there a project manager on site? | Yes | ||
| Do you handle permits if they're needed? | Yes | ||
| Who supplies materials, machines and extras? | We doNothing for you to order or coordinate | ||
| Is the site kept neat during the job? | YesOrganized at the end of every workday | ||
| Final cleanup and disturbed areas restored? | YesBackfilled with topsoil |
| Patios & walkways: how it's built | AVEX Masonry | Contractor A | Contractor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| How deep do you excavate? | 10 to 12 inches | ||
| Is stabilizing fabric installed under the base? | Yes | ||
| What base stone do you use? | 3/4" clean stoneNot dense grade, so water drains properly | ||
| What is the setting bed under the pavers? | 3/8" clean stone | ||
| How are the joints finished? | Polymeric sandCompacted and vibrated all the way in | ||
| Is the surface sloped for drainage? | Yes, pitched and leveled |
| Retaining walls: how it's built | AVEX Masonry | Contractor A | Contractor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| What goes behind a retaining wall? | About 3 ft of clean stoneSoil dug out and replaced | ||
| Is soil separated from the stone with fabric? | Yes | ||
| Is there a drain pipe at the footing? | Yes, perforated pipe | ||
| Is backfill compacted in lifts, with geogrid? | YesGeogrid every other row |
What a price alone won't tell you
A proposal you can actually understand
Many estimates arrive as a short PDF with a price and little else: no measurements, no list of materials, and no one to explain it. Homeowners end up guessing, and the guesses are often wrong. Our proposals list measurements, materials and a clear payment schedule, and we walk you through every line over Zoom so your questions get answered on the spot.
The hidden cost of "labor-only" quotes
Some contractors quote labor and ask you to arrange materials yourself. That sounds cheaper until you're ordering stone, scheduling deliveries and chasing missing items. It's a lot to coordinate, it's easy to get wrong, and it often causes delays. We bring the materials, machines and any extras the job needs, so you don't have to manage any of it.
The same people from start to finish
We don't sub out work. The AVEX team that measures your yard and builds your proposal is the same crew that shows up to build it, with a project manager on site.
What's under the surface counts
Base depth, clean stone, fabric and drainage are invisible once a job is finished, but they decide how it holds up through Connecticut winters. Every one of these details is written into our proposal.
Ready to compare?
Book a free estimate and see what a detailed proposal looks like.