WOODBURY, N.J., Jan. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new patio is a great place to hold a graduation party or a wedding, but homeowners may not realize that even the most basic patio could take months, not weeks, to design and install.
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is spending months gathering ideas, designs and estimates, then expect work to begin shortly after the choice of contractor is made. This is not usually the case. "Scheduling is hard," said landscaping expert Jeff Bailey, President of Bailey Landscape Services in Delran, NJ. "Right now [December 2018], we are booked throughout next year." If homeowners want a patio by graduation day in May, they need to start the process with a contractor now. "The season before is when to start," Jeff said.
Establishing a start date is a good step, but homeowners should count on experiencing unavoidable delays. "Weather is probably the biggest delay," said Jeff. "Getting permits is the other big one. Those two are probably 90 percent of any delay on a project."
Homeowners tend to understand when rain pushes back construction dates, but they don't necessarily realize obtaining township permits is a process that typically takes weeks. Some municipalities have complex zoning and building laws that require inspections from experts. "One township required eight different inspectors to inspect the site," Jeff said. "Any time you have a lot of subcontractors that do work like gas, plumbing and electrical, you have to go through the township's permitting and inspection."
Cherry Hill, NJ has specific requirements. "For example, Cherry Hill has an ordinance that says 500 square feet of pavers and above requires a certified civil engineer to review the grading plan," Jeff said. "It's hard to find a civil engineer who will do a 'small' job like that. Then there is a $3500 charge for it. That adds a lot onto the budget, especially for a $10,000 patio."
Homeowners can help to prepare for hidden costs and delays by asking neighbors what problems they may have encountered during their projects. As with any home improvement project, homeowners should anticipate surprises. "Almost always, when you open something up, you uncover things you don't expect, like a pipe that wasn't supposed to be there. That would require more subcontractors and inspections to deal with." Jeff said.
Timing a project has more to do with homeowners' expectations than any of the typical delays. The contractors expect delays but the homeowners aren't always aware of just how easily setbacks pop up throughout any project. Homeowners can help by clearly conveying their needs to the contractor, e.g., if the patio is needed for a wedding in June. Booking a contractor in the fall for projects they want completed by late spring or summer is the best approach. With a little mercy from Mother Nature and a touch of luck getting through the red tape, the patio will be in place and ready for the event of a lifetime.
About EP Henry®
EP Henry®, the oldest American family-owned and operated manufacturer of unit concrete products in North America, provides the highest quality and broadest product offerings in Hardscaping(™). Based in Woodbury, New Jersey, EP Henry manufactures a wide range of paving stone and retaining wall products, including permeable pavers which are a best management practice (BMP) for stormwater management. EP Henry also offers beautiful patio pavers, outdoor kitchen kits, garden wall solutions and more. For more information on EP Henry Hardscaping products, visit EPHenry.com or call 800-44-HENRY (800-444-3679).
SOURCE EP Henry
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