Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for paving stone contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Atlas Pavers Co. believes the best way to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction is to dedicate 100 percent of its efforts to every project, from the first phone call until the finishing touches. “We dedicate a lot of time to making sure each job goes as smoothly as possible,” affirms co-owner Itamar Morais Jr. “Whether we’re holding in-person meetings or monitoring daily progress, our goal is to keep our clients informed every step of the way.”

Atlas Pavers has been providing masonry services for residential and commercial clients throughout the Greater Bay Area since 2012. The company primarily focuses on designing and installing pavers for walkways, driveways, patios, and other outdoor applications, but it also has the training and equipment to build retaining walls and handle the masonry work for outdoor kitchen projects.

Unlike less experienced paving contractors that take an “assembly line” approach to every project in an effort to maximize the number of jobs they can accept, Atlas Pavers focuses on one job at a time and takes a detail-oriented approach that includes using top-quality materials and following the installation standards of the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute. “We make sure every detail of a project is addressed before we consider it complete, which is important for ensuring positive results,” says Mr. Morais Jr. “When we do the final walkthrough with the client, we want them to be completely satisfied with every aspect of our work.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Atlas Pavers is its customer-oriented approach to the sales process. “We don’t believe in pressuring our clients to do anything,” says Mr. Morais Jr. “We provide a 30-minute consultation that isn’t high-pressure or drawn out–it simply proves that we’re capable of doing what we say we can do. Ultimately, we leave the decision to our clients, which they really appreciate.”

If you’re taking on a hardscaping project, consider the benefits of installing permeable pavers. Even though hardscaping goes a long way toward improving the curb appeal of a home, it can also contribute to wasted water by way of runoff, pooling rain and flood-prone areas. Permeable pavers provide a solution by being the best of both worlds: paved surfaces with efficient water drainage.

Essentially, permeable pavers are concrete or pavement blocks that are fabricated in a way that allows water to pass through them and into the ground below. When water seeps into the earth below the pavers, it reduces runoff, controls rainwater, and can even improve groundwater by filtering pollutants that collect as the result of vehicles and foot traffic. They can make a big impact in areas where drought has made homeowners more water-conscious. In fact, some municipalities now require permeable pavers to be installed in driveways and other large, paved surfaces.

For some homeowners, simply installing permeable pavers is benefit enough—rainwater that would usually flow into the sewer instead seeps into the ground, where it benefits their yards and the local water table. For other homeowners, water collection is the impetus for installing a permeable paving product. “Some permeable pavers allow you to collect rainwater and direct it to your garden,” explains Itamar Morais Jr., owner of Atlas Pavers Co. in Walnut Creek. “Paving contractors know how to install these products correctly so you get all the benefits you’re looking for.”

If you’re looking for a complete water storage or recycling system, your contractor will need the knowledge and skills to install the necessary drainage system underneath the pavers. This system will include a drain field, a reservoir for the stored water, a sump pump to transfer the water and pipes to get it to where it’s needed. Systems like this can route water to gardens, cisterns, storage tanks, water features and more.

Q: How long will it take to complete my project?

A: It depends on the extent of the work, but once we know all the details, we’ll be able to give you a specific estimate. We usually include extra time so weather or delivery issues won’t impact the schedule.

Q: How soon can you get started?

A: It depends on our schedule, but we’re always upfront with our clients about when they can expect us to start. Sometimes the start date depends on our suppliers’ schedules—we don’t have control over the supply of products, and sometimes specialized items can take extra time to order or be delivered. In those cases, we communicate closely with our clients so they can stay up-to-date about the status of their projects.

Q: Once you start my project, will you keep working on it until it’s finished?

A: Yes. Some paving companies will hire subcontractors and disappear after a few days on the jobsite, but once we win a bid, we start and finish the job ourselves. You’ll have one point of contact throughout the entire project, so you’ll always be able to contact someone at the company.

Q: Do you use subcontractors for any part of the work?

A: Sometimes we need to use subcontractors to take care of demolition, but we only work with companies that we know and trust.

Q: Will you communicate with me throughout my project?

A: Absolutely. It’s important for us to stay on the same page so we can deliver what was agreed upon, and clear communication is the best way to do that. Before work begins, we’ll go through every step of your project with you so you know what to expect. Once we start working, we’ll talk with you in person or over the phone every day to confirm we’re meeting your expectations. We also encourage you to get involved by attending meetings or doing a walk-through at the end of the workday.