Most patio projects don't fail because a contractor made one dramatic error — they fail because small, cheap-looking decisions stack up.
These are the mistakes we see most often on Houston jobs, and the ones we vet every scope against before we start.
1. Pouring on uncompacted native soil
Skimped base cracks in 2 years. 4–6" of compacted base is required.
2. Slope toward the house
Puts water at the foundation. Always slope 2% away.
3. Weak concrete mix
3,000 PSI cracks. Spec 4,000+ with proper reinforcement.
4. Missing control joints
No sawcuts means random cracking everywhere.
5. Never sealing the patio
Unsealed concrete stains, spalls, and grows mildew fast in Houston.
How to vet your contractor
Read your patio bid line by line and ask which of these mistakes are being avoided — in writing. A contractor who welcomes the question is the one you want; a contractor who deflects is the one to walk away from.
If you'd like a second set of eyes on a scope of work or an existing bid, we're happy to walk through it with you.
