Licensed Patio
Contractors NYC

Most patio calls start with a symptom rather than a cause. A patio that sinks by the back door, puddles after every storm, or sends water into the cellar wall is rarely a paver problem. It is usually a shallow base, no slope, or a downspout dumping onto the surface. A patio laid perfectly level looks right and holds water. So we start with where the water goes, then design the base and grade around it, with a pitch away from the house and a base deep enough for NYC freeze-thaw. Sometimes that means telling an owner to re-lay one low corner. Sometimes it means a full rebuild. Either way, the estimate reflects the condition of the site, not the biggest job we could sell.

Permits are where NYC patios differ most from patios elsewhere. A ground-level paver or concrete patio with no cover generally doesn't need a DOB building permit, but the Zoning Resolution still applies, including lot coverage, open space, and rear yard rules. Anything raised, covered, or structurally connected to the building typically needs a filing by a licensed engineer or registered architect. In a landmark district, the Landmarks Preservation Commission treats patios as landscape features that may need approval. We tell you which category you're in before we quote, so the surprise doesn't arrive as a stop-work order. For restaurants and commercial owners, we also know when backyard seating needs a filing and when it doesn't.

Then there's the part of the job most contractors skip: what's underneath. If your patio sits over a garden-level room, cellar, or garage, it is functioning as a roof, and a torn membrane or bad wall flashing shows up as a stain on a ceiling below. Here is how we handle it:

• Membrane and drainage check: We inspect the membrane, drainage layer, and wall junction before stone goes down.
• Pedestal systems on terraces: Pavers sit on pedestals that keep them off the waterproofing.
• Row-house access: We plan material delivery and protect your floors when material has to travel through the house.
• Haul-away priced upfront: Removal of old material and fill is in the written scope, not a surprise line item.
• Credentialed crew: OSHA-30 and DOB Site Safety Training.
• Photo documentation: We photograph base and drainage work before it's covered, so you have a record for your engineer, your insurer, or a future buyer.