Monday, April 06, 2015

seeking referrals for a ICPI-certified contractor

See this request from a Bloomingdale neighbor:

Considering taking advantage of the permeable paver rebate. It seems to require you use an ICPI certified contractor. Do you know of/recommend any?


5 comments:

The Radical Capitalist said...

I have used Imperial Stone Paving before for commercial projects. Not sure if they do residential.

Citizenalpha said...

You can also email riversmart homes (administrator of the paver program) for a list of contractors they've worked with in the past. I had two separate quotes from that list.

Unknown said...

Please email me at lauren.linville@dc.gov (I work for DDOE and manage the Bloomingdale rebate program) or Sarah Davidson at the Alliance for the Chesapeake at sdavidson@allianceforthebay.org to receive a list of ICPI-certified contractors that have worked with DDOE on past pervious paver projects.

Unknown2 said...

I participated in the RiverSmart Homes program to replace my concrete kingdom with unbelievably beautiful clay brick pavers. I used First Impressions Hardscapes, based in Olney and I have the most beautiful patio/walkway/driveway in the District now. I got three bids from the list of recommended contractors and the service during the bidding process was night and day. One never showed up for the first appointment, one scratched something on a pad and sent me a quote with no pictures 3 weeks later and one sat down with me, walked me through various options, used a computer program to design my entire yard and was patient as I suggested different designs, materials and planters. Mike, at First Impressions, is one of the best designers/sales/knowledgebases that I have ever encountered and their prices were comparable and their timeline was shorter and fully explained. When the crew arrived to do the work, it was IMPRESSIVE. On time, all the extras, on schedule and the final product was far beyond anything I could imagine. And Mike called or came by each of the 4 days that it took to complete the job. And Mike called and came by after to ensure that every little tweak was done to my satisfaction. I would be doing you and First Impressions Hardscapes a complete disservice if I did not tell you about their quality and service. you will not regret calling them and hiring them to do your work. (Reading this notes sounds like I work for the company. However, I have tried dozens of contractors from DC, MD and VA, and I know a good thing when I see it.) Call them, they are certified and part of the RiverSmart program. Oh, and they handle all of the paperwork for you, taking all the initial tests and photos and scheduling the inspectors. None of the others offered to do any of that, and the paperwork can be confusing.

Unknown2 said...

One additional thought. Unless you want them specifically, you might want to think about using clay brick pavers instead of the concrete look alikes. The cost was slightly higher for clay, but the durability will be worth the small amount more over time. Clay will last longer and hold the color longer than concrete. But, if budget is tight there are many good things to say about the concrete alternative. I don't see First Impressions on your list, but it appears that you are looking for someone that has specific certification for the type of concrete that you are seeking. I would strongly suggest contacting First Impressions, if only to talk about these bricks and your options. Mike will likely spend time with you, even if only for education, and help you make your decisions.