Replacing a walkway, driveway or patio is known as hardscaping, and finding a hardscaping contractor who can design and install a walkway, patio or driveway that suits your house, your sensibilities and your pocketbook often requires diligent research and some price comparison to get the best value for your money. Not surprisingly, the best value is not always the cheapest.

A growing number of homeowners have discovered that one of the most versatile and customizable pavement options is interlocking concrete pavers. That said, the next step to a new walkway is finding the right person to install it. In order to ensure a quality installation, you should ask questions of the contractor, like:

. How long have they been installing pavers?

. Are they certified by the ICPI? Do they have a certificate or card?

. What percentage of their total business consists of installing concrete pavers?

. Will they provide you with three references; not only recent ones, but from past jobs?

. Can you contact their references and inspect the jobs?

. Do they have a portfolio of photos and letters to qualify themselves?

. Can the contractor provide proof that workers' compensation insurance covers all employees on the job?

. Do they install the job per ICPI guidelines? Can they supply a copy?

. Do they provide a written, itemized proposal outlining the scope of work and terms of payment? It should include starting and completion dates, demolition and excavation, paving and base materials, and taxes.

. Do they guarantee their work for at least one year? Will they return in a year to inspect it?

You can learn more about concrete pavers and find a certified installer to install them by visiting the Web site www.icpi.org.

Photo caption: Knowing how to find someone who can design and install a patio isn't as hard as you may think.

- News Canada