The 10 questions
1. Will you inspect and measure the site before quoting?
A quote made from a phone call is a guess. A contractor needs to see the ground, measure the area and check for slopes, drains and soft soil before they can price the job properly.
A good answer: A site visit before the final quote, with the measurements written down.
2. What exactly does the quote include?
A single total hides what you are paying for. Extra charges for delivery, digging out or edging often appear later.
A good answer: Pavers, delivery, ground preparation, laying, edging and clean-up listed separately, or clearly stated as included.
3. Which design suits what will use it?
A path only carries people; a driveway carries cars, and some carry lorries. The design and the base have to match the load.
A good answer: Questions about what will drive or walk on it, followed by a design recommended for that use.
4. How will you prepare the base?
Most sunken or uneven paving comes from a weak base, not from the pavers. The ground has to be dug out, levelled and compacted before anything is laid.
A good answer: A clear description of the digging, the base material and the compaction, adjusted to your soil.
5. How will rainwater drain away?
Monsoon rain that pools on paving or runs towards the house causes damage. Paving needs a slope and a place for the water to go.
A good answer: Which way the surface will slope, and where the water will drain to.
6. How many pavers do I need, including cuts?
Ordering too few holds up the job while more are made or delivered; a later batch can differ slightly in colour.
A good answer: A quantity worked out from the area and the pieces per square foot of the design, plus extra for cuts.
7. Who makes the pavers, and who lays them?
When one company supplies the pavers and another lays them, each can blame the other if something goes wrong.
A good answer: A clear name for each, and who is responsible if there is a problem with the materials or the work.
8. Can I see work you have done?
Photos and finished sites show the quality of the work better than any description.
A good answer: Photos of finished jobs, and ideally a site near you that you can look at.
9. How long will the job take, and when can I use it?
You may need to park elsewhere or keep people off the area while the work is done.
A good answer: A start date, how many days the work takes, and when you can walk and drive on it.
10. What happens if something goes wrong later?
Pavers can sink or come loose if the base or edging was not done well. You need to know who fixes it.
A good answer: What is covered, for how long, and confirmation in writing.
Warning signs
Be careful with a contractor who:
- Gives a final price without seeing the site.
- Quotes one total and cannot say what it includes.
- Does not mention the base, compaction or drainage.
- Cannot tell you which pavers will be used, or who makes them.
- Has no photos of finished work.
How we answer these questions
| Question | Our answer |
|---|---|
| Site visit | We offer a free site inspection, where we measure the area and check the ground. |
| What the quote includes | We quote each order for supply only, or for supply and installation. The driveway cost guide lists what goes into the price. |
| How many pavers | We publish the pieces per square foot for every design in our coverage chart, and confirm the quantity on the site visit. |
| Who makes and lays them | We make the pavers at our factory in Puttalam, and our own team lays them. |
| Past work | See our completed projects. |
For the rest, ask us when we visit, and compare our answers with everyone else's.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a paving contractor in Sri Lanka?
Ask each contractor the same questions: whether they will inspect the site, what the quote includes, how they will prepare the base and drain rainwater, who makes and lays the pavers, and what happens if something goes wrong later. Compare the answers, not just the totals.
Why do paving quotes differ so much?
Because they often cover different things. One quote may include ground preparation, edging and delivery while another leaves them out. Ask for each part to be listed so you can compare like with like.
Why do pavers sink or become uneven?
Usually because the base under them was not dug out, levelled and compacted properly, or because water collects under the paving. Good base preparation and drainage prevent most of it.
Should I buy the pavers myself and hire a separate mason?
You can, and it suits you if you already have a mason you trust. The risk is that if problems appear, the supplier and the mason may each blame the other. With one company for both, responsibility is clear.
Ask us these questions
We make our pavers and our own team lays them, so one company answers for both. Book a free site inspection and ask us anything on this list before you decide.
Browse our pavers range or request a free consultation.