Patio, walkway and hardscaping work covers the hard surfaces around a house: paved patios, garden paths, front steps, retaining walls, driveways edges and borders. In Bristol, much of it sits on clay-heavy or sloping ground, so drainage and a properly compacted sub-base matter more than the paving you see on top.
What to look for
Ask each contractor how they prepare the base: depth of excavation, type of compacted stone, and the fall they build in so water runs away from the house. Check what jointing and edge restraint they use, and whether they have laid your chosen material before (natural stone, porcelain, block paving or concrete). Get a written quote that lists materials, waste disposal and any retaining work. Photos of finished jobs a few years old tell you more than new ones.
How our scoring helps
We list 8 businesses in this category. Our scores weigh review quality and consistency, so a few glowing comments don't outweigh a pattern of problems. You can see how this works on the methodology page, and compare the top-rated firms in our ranked guide to Bristol masonry contractors. Shortlist two or three, then ask each for a site visit before you commit.