Many homeowners opt to lay pavers either inside or outside their home to enhance its appearance. Have you always wanted a sandstone pathway or a granite entryway? Do you think that travertine would make a fantastic driveway material or that bluestone would really work in your bathroom? The question faced by many homeowners is whether laying pavers is a do-it-yourself job or whether you need a professional’s assistance.
DIY
If you would like to lay your own pavers (perhaps you’re trying to save some money or you like the personal touch), there are a number of questions that you should ask yourself first:
- Have you ever worked with natural stone before? If yes, how successful was that project?
- Do you know how to cut through the pavers, or will you need to get a professional to do this part for you?
- How much experience do you have with landscaping and manual labour around the home?
- Are you willing to watch tutorials and read instructions that will help you to lay the stone properly?
Once you have answered the above questions, you will be in a much better position to determine whether you have the skills and expertise necessary to lay pavers yourself.
Professional
If you would like to have a professional lay the pavers for you (perhaps you like the polished finish or you don’t trust your own abilities), there are also a number of questions that you should first ask yourself:
· Can you afford to have a professional come out and undertake the project for you? If yes, what is your budget?
- Do you know exactly what you want from the paver project, and can you convey this to the professional?
- Do you need the project finished as soon as possible? If so, what is your timeframe or schedule?
- Have you found a professional who is available when you need them and who can explain the process?
Once you have answered the above questions, you will be in a much better position to determine whether hiring a professional is actually the best decision for your needs.
Whilst there can be no denying that pavers are an aesthetically pleasing addition to any home, it is important to determine early on in the project whether a do-it-yourself or professional approach is the best one for your needs. Make sure that you answer the questions related to your preferred paver choice – you might find that you were about to make a wrong decision with disastrous results.