September 27, 2017 By Landscaping

Interlocking Companies: Why We’re Not All the Same

Interlocking pavers unlock the potential of your driveway or landscape. Unlike brick they’re not limited to a single shape and colour and they’ll last longer to boot. If done right a driveway constructed of interlocking pavers along with walkways to your front door and through your yard can add substantial market value to your home. If done right. Unfortunately there are a few interlocking companies out there who hide behind an amazing price only to deliver something less than amazing.

M.E. Landscaping Sets the Bar for Interlocking Companies

In order to ensure you get the true interlocking experience you’ll need to make sure the company you choose to install your driveway and pathways is comprised of dedicated professionals with years of experience. M.E. Landscaping is such a company. We’ve been creating unique paving creations for homeowners right across the GTA for more than a decade. Here are just a few of the things that set us apart from the rest.

World-class design – When you enlist M.E. Landscaping to install your interlocking driveway you won’t just get brick-like monotony. Pavers come in all kinds of styles, sizes, colours and textures and our designers explore the entire range of expressive possibilities. They then create a design that will make your house shine and that you’ll be proud to come home to.
Dedicated craftsmen – No one in Toronto has a finer crew of paving professionals working for them than M.E. Landscaping. Our people are highly trained craftsmen in the best sense of the word. They embrace old world values of patience and precision and make sure every stone is set perfectly on a base that’s been prepared using time tested methods and materials.
Outstanding durability – Some interlocking companies will lure you in then leave you high and dry by cutting corners in the sub-base. It’s easy to do since most homeowners know nothing about such things and it may take weeks or longer before you realize you’ve been had. This is why it’s so important to check references. At M.E. Landscaping we have scores of satisfied customers who will attest to the quality and durability of our workmanship.
First rate customer service – Interlocking companies that are in the business of providing the illusion of quality also provide the illusion of customer service. They don’t answer the phone or return calls. They promise things they have no intention of delivering. And when their work breaks down they’re nowhere to be seen. M.E. Landscaping are available before, during and after installation to address questions or concerns and to ensure your total satisfaction.
Affordability – A great price is no such thing if the work doesn’t stand the test of time. When you hire M.E. Landscaping you’ll get the best available price and absolute top quality work. Whereas you’ll likely have to redo the bargain basement work shortly after making the final payment, the interlocking pavers we install will still be doing their job decades from now.

There are a lot of artists but only 1 Michelangelo, a lot of musicians but only 1 Mozart. And there are plenty of interlocking companies out there but there’s only 1 M.E. Landscaping. No company in Toronto will do a better job on your interlocking driveway and pathways and no company will be as hassle free to work with. We love what we do and we do it better than most anyone. So give us a call if you’re contemplating interlocking pavers on any part of your property. We’ll work with you to turn your home into the neighborhood showcase at a price you can afford.

September 6, 2017 By Landscaping

Interlocking Driveways: Why They’re So Good from a Maintenance and Financial Perspective

An interlocking driveway can produce a night and day type transformation in how your property is perceived by your neighbors and passersby alike. For family members it can elevate the physical and tactile experience of the home in ways few other things can or will. But the benefits of interlocking pavers don’t stop there. If you’ve chosen the right company to do the work your new driveway will become the gift that keeps on giving in other ways as well.

Why an Interlocking Driveway is Such a Great Value Proposition

A driveway made of interlocking pavers will enhance the appearance of your entire property from the day it’s installed. But there’s more to this incredible building material than good looks. Interlocking pavers also make tremendous financial sense for a number of reasons, such as.

Virtually maintenance free – If you’ve had a concrete or asphalt slab driveway in the past you know how disheartening it can be to come outside one fine Toronto morning and discover large cracks in the pavement. Sealing the cracks may buy you some time but then you’ll have a patched up surface staring you in the face every day. Interlocking pavers won’t heave or crack like slab work and thus won’t require expensive, unattractive repair.
Unequalled durability – Paving stones the Roman laid down in Europe 2,000 years ago are still in use in some places today. The same can be said for some pavers laid down during the colonial era in North America. You may not get 2 millennia out of your interlocking driveway but if they’re installed properly people in the 23rd century might still be using them. Any chance that’ll happen with asphalt or stamped concrete? Hint: don’t hold your breath.
Easy to repair – Should a tree branch or some other object fall on your driveway and dislodge some of your interlocking pavers a complete repair is a fast and easy thing for a qualified interlocking craftsman. They’ll remove the affected stones, restore the underlying layers to their proper state and replace the stones, with no one being able to tell anything was done.
Enhanced market value for your home – There is no doubt that installing an interlocking driveway will enhance your home’s market value overnight. Exactly how much will depend on the size of the project and who did the work. The market always responds to quality so if you hired an experienced, well respected company like M.E. Landscaping to install your interlocking pavers you’ll maximize your ROI.
Long lasting value – If you install a concrete slab driveway today and put your home on the market tomorrow you’ll experience a bump in your home’s value. Should you wait a couple of years during which the slab cracks, begins to sag in places due to water intrusion and begins to sprout weeds any bump in value will have evaporated. With interlocking the increase in value you experience after installation will still be in play years down the road.

So let’s add it up: In all likelihood you won’t have to engage in any sort of maintenance or repair work on your interlocking pavers, you won’t have to replace them in your lifetime if you don’t want to and they’ll add lasting market value to your home. If there is a better value in home improvement projects out there we’ve never heard of it.

Call M.E. Landscaping to discuss the possibility of installing a beautiful, durable and affordable interlocking driveway or walkway on your property. The value they add to your Toronto home today will still be measurable many, many years from now.

August 21, 2017 By Landscaping

Interlocking Contractors: Best Practices Where Hiring in 2016

Interlocking stone pavers not only provide you a wealth of hardscape design options they also have the potential to outlast your Toronto home itself; if they’re installed correctly. That can be a big if when you’re dealing with companies that offer discount installations or just don’t do a lot of interlocking installations. So how can you be sure the company you hire for your interlocking project will do the job right the first time?

Essential Questions to ask Potential Interlocking Contractors

In spite of what some discount contractors might want you to believe not all interlocking companies are created equal. In order to separate the dedicated professionals from the quick buck artists you’ll want to ask the following questions:

How long have you been in business? – Some may look and sound the part of experienced interlocking contractors but the fact is they’re just starting out. While it’s true everyone has to start somewhere do you really want someone working out the kinks in their technique on your driveway?
Can you provide references? – No references, no contract should be a given. You want to talk to at least a few of the contractor’s former customers. In fact, when it comes to interlocking you’ll want to talk to some who have had their pavers for at least a few years. If the installation was done right they’ll still be happy.
Do you handle the work yourself? – Busy contractors often sub contract work. But you don’t want someone showing up that you’ve never met or talked with while the company you thought you hired is off somewhere else. There are usually limits to how much of a job a prime contractor can subcontract.
What type of base do you use? – Do some research into base preparation before asking this question and see if the answers you get match what you’ve learned. If the contractor gets uneasy or says something like “Don’t worry about the base”, look out. Interlocking is only as good as the base it sits on.
Do you warranty your work? – If the contractor does not offer a warranty you should move on to someone else. As mentioned, discount interlocking contractors often cut corners in base preparation. This is something that likely won’t reveal itself until some time after they’ve cashed your check.
Do you have full liability coverage? – Any reputable contractor will be expecting this question and will happily provide proof of coverage. If someone says “yes” and then delays providing proof you should take a pass. If it turns out they’re not insured you could be opening yourself up to enormous headaches.
What sort of upfront payment do you require? – An interlocking contractor will typically ask for something like 20% up front. Some will ask for less. If they want 50% or more up front say “Thank you” and move on to the next contractor. There’s no justification for asking for that type of money up front.
Will you put everything we’ve agreed to in writing? – It’s important to insist on a detailed contract. Experienced, trustworthy interlocking contractors won’t have a problem with that, since the contract protects them as well as you. If the contractor tries to sell you on the idea that a handshake is all that’s needed, shake their hand and thank them for coming.

M.E. Landscaping has more than 10 years experience installing interlocking pavers for homeowners in the Toronto area. We take great pride in our reputation as one of the GTA’s foremost interlocking contractors. Call us on 416-455-9296 to discuss installation of beautiful, durable interlocking pavers in your driveway any other area of your property. Our hardscape experts will be happy to answer all your questions.

August 20, 2017 By Landscaping

Interlocking Contractors and Why This Style of Paving Copes So Well With the Cold

Interlocking pavers are some of the most versatile hardscape building materials in the world. Ideal for both residential and commercial applications large or small interlocking pavers affect a completely different look from one project to the next and can provide your home with a signature motif that will make it stand out from the crowd. M.E. Landscaping specialize in the installation of interlocking pavers for driveways, pathways, patios and more. If safe, long lasting beauty and versatility interest you, you should consider interlocking pavers for your home or business.

Interlocking Contractors Have the Answer for the Winter Paving Blues

Toronto is a beautiful city but the weather can certainly be a challenge. From baking hot in the summer to bone-chilling cold in the winter the unforgiving Ontario climate takes a toll on all things asphalt and concrete. A paving solution is needed that will hold up better than those materials whether in the driveway or in front of your office: that solution is interlocking pavers.

Interlocking pavers are the perfect cold weather paving material because they:

Resist cracking – The freeze/thaw cycle in our fair city has a way of reducing even the most robust looking roadway to little more than a collection of cracks, buckles and potholes. Water seeps into tiny cracks in the surface, freezes, expands and pushes upward undermining the integrity of the surface. Interlocking pavers present a unified face but one with just enough space between the blocks to dissipate that upward pressure and keep things in place.
Clear easily – Interlocking contractors know these pavers can be easily shoveled due to their bevelled edges. You can also use a snow plow or snow blower on them without worrying about damaging the surface or catching the blade. In addition your interlocking driveway or walkway can be fitted with a subsurface heating system that automatically clears snow and ice and won’t harm the paving stones.
Are skid resistant – Few things are worse than coming out of your house on a cold winter day and taking a spill on a slick walkway or driveway. Not only is it embarrassing and painful but it can lead to serious long term injuries. If you’re worried about slips and falls select paving stones with a textured surface and rest easily next time old man winter comes calling.
Last forever – Interlocking contractors know an extreme climate calls for extreme building materials and none are more extreme than interlocking pavers. They’ll take the heat and the cold, the rain and the snow, the ice and the sleet without batting an eyelash and still be looking good decades from now when your grandchildren have inherited the house.
Stand up to de-icing – In addition to all their other cold weather attributes, interlocking pavers will resist the corrosive effects of chemical de-icing products. You should be careful to follow directions and not overuse them though because they can damage adjoining plant life.

M.E. Landscaping are one of Ontario’s premier interlocking contractors. Our interlocking design and installation professionals bring all their considerable talents to bear on every job they do; and over the course of more than a decade they’ve done hundreds for clients large and small across the GTA. We know how versatile interlocking pavers are, how perfect they are for the climate here and how much practical and market value they’ll add to your home.

If you’re tired of having the elements turn your driveway and pathways into a spider’s web of cracks and crevices call the gold standard of interlocking contractors: M.E. Landscaping on 416-455-9296 and find out more about the timeless beauty and legendary durability of interlocking pavers.