Why Is My Interlock Quote So Much Higher Than Another Contractor's?
Why Is My Interlock Quote So Much Higher Than Another Contractor?
When homeowners get multiple quotes for an interlocking driveway, patio or walkway, it can be confusing to see such a big difference in price.
You may have one contractor quoting $15,000, another quoting $17,000 and another quoting $23,000 for what appears to be the same project.
It is natural to ask:
“Why is one contractor so much more expensive?”
"Why is my Interlock Quote higher than another contractor?"
The answer is that the quotes may not actually be for the same work.
With interlocking, much of the most important work happens before the pavers are installed. Excavation, soil conditions, base preparation, compaction, grading, drainage and edge restraint can all affect the cost of a project.
Two contractors can install the same style of paver and still provide very different installations underneath.
Don't Compare Only the Pavers or Final Number
When looking at an interlock project, the pavers are the part homeowners see.
But the pavers are only one part of the installation.
The finished driveway may look similar whether the contractor spent extra time preparing the foundation or tried to reduce the amount of preparation required.
This is why comparing quotes based only on the paver colour, style or square-foot price can be misleading.
A better question is:
“What exactly is included in the price?”
Excavation Can Make a Big Difference
One of the first things that can affect the price is how much excavation is required.
At SRT Landscaping, when we are building a new driveway or a driveway extension where the existing base is not suitable, we typically excavate a minimum of 16 inches, with the actual depth depending on the existing ground conditions.
That means there is excavation work, removal of material and preparation of the site before the new base can be installed.
A quote that involves less excavation may naturally be cheaper.
But if the existing ground conditions require more preparation, reducing the excavation simply to lower the price may not be the right approach.
What Is Being Used for the Base?
The base underneath the pavers is an important part of an interlocking installation.
At SRT Landscaping, depending on the site, we use 3/4-inch clear gravel or 3/4-inch crushed gravel as part of the base preparation, followed by HPB as the bedding layer.
The exact materials and preparation can depend on the property and existing ground conditions.
This is another reason two quotes can be different.
If one contractor is allowing for more material, more preparation or additional work because of the site conditions, their price may naturally be higher.
When different materials are used in the base, we compact the material before moving on to the next layer.
The important point for homeowners is not simply the name of the material.
Ask the contractor:
What materials are included in my base preparation?
How will they be installed and compacted?
What type of compactor are they using ?
Whats the weight and depth of compactor they are using ?
What Happens If the Soil Is Poor underneath?
Not every property has the same ground conditions.
Sometimes excavation reveals soil that is soft or unsuitable for the planned installation. This is one of the areas where the quality of the installation can make a major difference.
A contractor looking to reduce costs may choose to leave soft or unsuitable soil in place and simply compact it. While this can make the surface appear firm during the installation, the underlying soil can still remain a problem.
Over time, water and changing ground conditions can affect the stability of that soil, potentially contributing to settlement and uneven pavers.
At SRT Landscaping, when we encounter poor or soft soil, we don't simply compact it and continue. We remove the unsuitable material and replace it with suitable clear gravel to create a more stable foundation for the interlocking installation.
This is an example of work that may not be visible once the driveway is finished, but it can make a significant difference in how the installation performs over time.
What About Grading and Drainage?
Water needs to be considered as part of an outdoor project.
The correct approach depends on the property.
Some sites have existing drainage challenges, while others may have different grading requirements.
At SRT Landscaping, we evaluate grading and drainage based on the individual site rather than assuming that every driveway or patio requires exactly the same solution.
When comparing quotes, ask how the contractor intends to handle grading and drainage for your particular property.
Compaction Is More Than Just Running a Plate Compactor
Compaction is another area where two contractors can approach the same project very differently.
When a driveway is excavated, the base material needs to be properly prepared and compacted before moving on to the next stage. But not all compactors are the same.
Compaction equipment comes in many different sizes and configurations, with major differences in operating weight, centrifugal force, plate size, vibration and overall capability.
For example, professional plate compactors can range from relatively small machines to much larger, heavy-duty diesel reversible compactors. A Wacker Neuson WP1550A single-direction plate is listed at roughly 196–207 pounds depending on the configuration and produces 3,372 pounds of centrifugal force. By comparison, a Wacker Neuson DPU6555Hech diesel reversible plate is listed at more than 1,000 pounds and produces 14,613 pounds of centrifugal force. These are very different pieces of equipment designed for very different levels of compaction work.
This is why simply asking a contractor, "Do you use a plate compactor?" does not tell you very much.
The equipment needs to be appropriate for the material, site conditions and the work being performed. Manufacturers provide specifications for their machines, and homeowners can ask to know what equipment will actually be used on their project.
When comparing contractors, consider asking:
What type of compaction equipment will you use?
What is the operating weight of the machine?
What is the manufacturer's rated compaction depth for the specific application?
What is the manufacturer's rated compaction depth for the specific application?
At SRT Landscaping, we use different types of compactors depending on the project and site conditions, including plate compactors, jumping-jack compactors and, when necessary, heavy-duty diesel plate compactors. The equipment we use depends on the work being performed, the material being compacted and the conditions of the site. We compact the appropriate material before moving on to the next material layer.
For example, if clear gravel is followed by crushed gravel, the material is compacted before the next material is installed. The same approach is used before the HPB bedding layer is added.
Professional compaction equipment can represent a significant investment for a contractor. Larger and more powerful machines can cost substantially more than smaller equipment, and equipment costs are one of the many factors that can contribute to differences between contractor quotes.
For a homeowner, the important point is simple: don't just ask whether a contractor uses a compactor. Ask what equipment they use and how it is appropriate for the work being performed.
Proper compaction is part of building the foundation of an interlocking installation, even though it will be completely hidden once the project is finished.
Why Can a Cheap Quote Be So Much Lower?
A low quote is not automatically a bad quote.
There are legitimate reasons why one contractor may have a lower price.
They may have lower overhead, different material costs, different labour costs or a different project scope.
But sometimes a significant price difference can also come from doing less work.
For example, a lower quote may involve:
Less excavation
Less base material
Less preparation for poor soil
Less attention to grading
A different level of cleanup or preparation
Not approved by city
Doesn't have to follow By-Laws
Using Cheaper joining Material
No warranty
Most important no customer service after work is done.
This doesn't mean every cheaper quote is a bad quote.
It means homeowners should understand what they are actually comparing before choosing the lowest price.The more clearly the scope is explained, the easier it is to compare contractors fairly.
The Cheapest Quote Isn't Always the Cheapest Project
The biggest mistake a homeowner can make is choosing a contractor based only on the number at the bottom of the quote.
An interlocking driveway can look excellent when it is first completed, even though much of the preparation underneath it is hidden.
If the underlying preparation is not appropriate for the site, problems can develop later.
Pavers may settle, move or become uneven. Drainage problems may appear. Edges may move. Areas may need to be repaired.
At that point, the homeowner may spend additional money fixing a problem that could have been avoided or reduced with proper preparation from the beginning.
This is also one reason interlocking sometimes gets an unfair reputation.
When a poorly installed driveway settles, homeowners may conclude that “interlock always sinks.”
In reality, an interlocking driveway is a system, and its performance depends on many factors, including the site conditions and how the installation was prepared.
What Should You Ask When Comparing Quotes?
Instead of asking only: “How much do you charge per square foot?”
Ask each contractor what is included.
For example:
How deep will you excavate?
Can i see the work you have done few years ago instead of recent work?
Do you have an clients from before we can talk to about after work services ?
What happens if you find soft or unsuitable soil?
What materials will be used underneath the pavers?
What type of compaction machines you used ?
How will the base be compacted?
Whats the recommended weight and depth of compaction machines ?
Is grading included?
How much time will it take to complete the job ?
How will drainage be handled?
What type of edge restraint will be used?
Does the price include removal and disposal?
Are there any additional costs that could come up?
What workmanship warranty is included?
What about clean up at the end ?
After the job is done is there anything left for us to do ?
These questions can help you understand why one quote is higher than another.
Look at the Work, Not Just the Price
When comparing interlock contractors, it can be tempting to choose the lowest number.
But an interlocking project is more than the pavers you see on the surface.
A contractor who takes the time to properly excavate, address poor soil, prepare the base, compact the materials, consider drainage and secure the edges may have a higher price because the project includes more work.
The goal isn't to choose the contractor with the highest price. It's to understand why the prices are different and make sure the work included in the quote is appropriate for your property.
At SRT Landscaping, our goal is to build the installation properly from the ground up rather than focusing only on how quickly the finished surface can be installed.
We believe homeowners should know what they are paying for and understand the work that goes into their project.
The Bottom Line
When comparing interlock quotes, don't compare only the final number.
Compare the scope of work.
Ask what is included in the excavation, how unsuitable soil will be handled, what materials will be used for the base, how the materials will be compacted, how grading and drainage will be addressed, and how the edges will be secured.
A lower price isn't automatically a bad quote, and a higher price isn't automatically a better one.
The important thing is understanding what you're getting for the price.
When the quotes are based on different levels of preparation and different scopes of work, the cheapest number may not represent the best value for your property.
If you're considering an interlocking driveway, patio or walkway in Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga or surrounding GTA areas, SRT Landscaping can assess your property, explain the work involved and provide a free estimate.
Ready to Compare Your Interlock Options?
Get a free estimate for your project and find out what preparation and installation your property requires.
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