Courtyard Home - need patio/ basement advice

Anyone have any recommendations for a patio contractor?

We live in a courtyard home, but our courtyard is poorly designed. I would like to get better use out of the space - (Like get rid of the ridiculous fountain in the middle of it).

Is this something that needs to be approved by the hoa since the patio already exists?

I'm not quite sure which kind of company to call about this. Any suggestions, ideas, comments?

Also - does anyone else live in a courtyard home without a basement? If so, where do you put everything? Have you come up with any creative storage ideas?

Our house has been on the market for 6 months and I'm thinking it's time for plan B. Just not sure what that is yet!

Thanks!

Rachel

 

We just signed a contract with Potomac Patio. They'll be out in the second half of July to put in our patio. I'll be happy to report what we thought of them when they're done.

We also got an estimate from Holloway Company and for the same patio (irregular flagstone on a concrete base) they wanted $1300 more.

We left a message with Virginia Deck & Patio to ask for an estimate, but they never called back. I sent an email to Rock Water Farms at the address listed in the ad on the Advertisers Forum and never got a reply.

 

FWIW ... I'd check with the HOA office on the requirements, especially if there are major changes involved to anything on the exterior of the house.

 

Do NOT use Holloway. They did do a beautiful job on our patio (when they showed up). The deck and gazebo was a nightmare - the gazebo was never completed. We were lied to repeatedly, and blatant/obvious errors were made, which we had to fight to correct. Everything looks "acceptable" at this point, but I'm sure we could have paid the same to another company to do it right and without the headaches. Ironically, we were warned about their shady conduct beforehand.

 

it has been a shame to see some of the troubles they have had (Holloway) with their other "Division" of deck building. From what I was told last year, they had a separate Manager and operation from the Patio and hardscape division. The owner is a patio and hardscape guy but seems to be having problems with the deck division... it is a shame. But for patio work, ponds, waterfalls they are great.

 

We wound up going with Potomac Patio - and I am thrilled with the job that they did. They worked hard, and except for a few rainy days, they were pretty much true to their word in terms of scheduling. I believe the pricing was fair - not the cheapest, not the most expensive. But we love the new space - so it was worth every penny.