Our Process and Contract Terms

This page covers the full step-by-step process for every Darteno Construction Inc. project, along with the estimate, payment, change order, cancellation, and warranty terms that apply to all of our interlock driveway, patio, walkway and pathway, landscaping, retaining wall, and drainage and grading work across Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Toronto, and the rest of the GTA. These terms apply regardless of project type or size.

Get a ballpark price immediately using our online estimator. Each service has its own estimator page so the numbers are relevant to the type of work you need. If the pricing works for you, book a free onsite appointment to finalize the details.

Book your free onsite appointment directly through our online scheduler. We visit the property to confirm site conditions and finalize the design. During the appointment we review the scope from the online estimate, confirm material selections, paver colour and format, wall block profile, plant species, and drainage system configuration, and note any adjustments needed based on what we see on the ground. Any changes to the scope or materials are discussed and agreed before anything goes into the contract.

We issue a written contract covering the full scope of work, specified materials, and price broken down by phase. Signing is done online. No need to be home for a second visit. The contract is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. A 25 percent deposit is due at signing to secure your start date and initiate material ordering.

The crew arrives on the confirmed start date with all equipment and materials already staged for the project. Excavation is completed to the specified depth, spoil is managed onsite, and the granular base is built up in mechanically compacted lifts. This phase is the most critical part of any installation and is never shortened to save time.

Paving, wall construction, planting, drainage installation, or other scope items are completed in sequence. Each phase is inspected before the next begins. The site is kept clean and organized throughout, and you are kept informed of daily progress.

On completion, the crew performs a full site cleanup and walks through the finished work with you. We review what was built, explain drainage outlet locations and maintenance steps, and leave written aftercare instructions specific to your installation. The remaining balance is due upon satisfactory completion.

The estimate describes in plain language exactly what work will be performed and what materials will be used, including excavation depth, granular base specification, paver or block product, drainage components, and any grading or landscaping work included in the project. There are no vague line items. If a specific product is named, that product is what will be installed.

The estimate clearly states what is not included and what assumptions it is based on. Common exclusions include permit fees (which vary by municipality and scope), utility locates beyond the standard ClickBeforeYouDig request, unexpected subsurface conditions such as buried debris or rock, and work performed by other trades such as gas or electrical rough-in for outdoor kitchens. If site conditions differ from what was observed at the time of the estimate, we notify you in writing before proceeding

Estimates are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Material prices in the GTA landscaping and interlock market fluctuate with supply conditions and season. If your project start date falls outside the 30-day window, we will reissue the estimate to reflect current pricing before proceeding.

A deposit of 25 percent of the total contract value is due at signing. This secures your position in the project schedule and initiates material procurement. The remaining balance is due upon project completion and the final walkthrough. No additional payments are collected mid-project unless a signed change order has been issued.

Any change to the agreed scope, whether requested by you or identified as necessary during construction, is handled through a supplementary written agreement. It describes the additional or modified work, the revised cost, and any impact on the project timeline. Work on the change does not begin until you have reviewed and approved it in writing. Verbal approvals are not accepted for scope changes.

If a project is cancelled before materials are ordered, the deposit is fully refunded. Once materials have been ordered, a cancellation fee applies to cover procurement costs already incurred. The specific materials affected and the associated costs are documented in the contract, and we communicate ordering timelines clearly so you know when this threshold is reached.

Darteno provides a written 3-year workmanship warranty on all installations. Coverage includes settling or displacement caused by base preparation defects, joint or bedding-sand failure attributable to installation technique, and drainage system performance shortfalls where the drainage design was part of the contracted scope. It does not cover normal surface wear, polymeric sand erosion requiring routine top-up, damage caused by tree root growth, or damage resulting from homeowner modification of the completed work. Manufacturer warranties on paving materials, wall blocks, and drainage products are separate and passed through to you at project completion. The warranty applies to the original installation address and is non-transferable.

Return to the Darteno Construction Inc. homepage for an instant online estimate, or call (647) 838-3200 to speak with us directly. Visit 142 Valleymede Dr, Richmond Hill, ON.