Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Stamped Concrete Contractor

Ask: Who Does Your Excavation and Base?

This is the question that separates a patio that lasts from one that heaves by the second winter. Many stamping crews sub out the dirt work — or skip it entirely. If the contractor can't tell you exactly who excavates, how deep, and what the compaction process is, they're not in control of the most important part of your patio.

We do our own excavation and base prep in-house with our own equipment. Patrick is on the site. The base is not an afterthought — it's the foundation of the entire job.

Ask: Can I See the Base Before You Pour?

A contractor who's confident in their base work will say yes without hesitation. We document every stage with photos and video, and we encourage you to walk the site after excavation and before the pour. If a contractor says no, or seems uncomfortable with the question, that's a red flag.

Ask: Do You Call 811 Before Digging?

Dig Safe / 811 is a legal requirement in New Hampshire before excavation. A contractor who doesn't call 811 is cutting corners on safety and legality — and if they cut that corner, what else are they skipping? We call 811 before every excavation. It's not optional.

Watch For: Bids That Are Significantly Lower

If one bid is substantially lower than the others, something is being skipped — and it's almost always the base. Less excavation, less sub-base material, no reinforcement, no drainage. The patio will look the same on day one. It won't look the same after the second winter.

Watch For: No Documentation

If a contractor can't or won't show you photos of their base work — the excavation, the compaction, the rebar — that's because they either don't do it or don't want you to see it. The base is the part you can't see after the pour. If they can't show you before, you'll never know what's under your patio.

Watch For: Pressure to Decide Immediately

A good contractor wants you to make an informed decision. If you're being pressured to sign on the spot, the contractor is afraid you'll think about it — and realize the base isn't there. We give you the information, walk you through the process, and let you decide. No pressure — just a straight answer about your yard.

Watch For: Vague Answers About Drainage

Ask how water will move away from the patio. If the answer is vague — 'don't worry about it' or 'it'll be fine' — that's a problem. Drainage is fundamental to a patio's survival in New Hampshire. We plan drainage as part of the base, not as an afterthought.