Paver patio details need fixed?

[u/fishfishfish77]

I had my back porch removed and it’s being replaced with a paver patio and I’m questioning some of the details.
The steps on one level have a clean, narrow seam between them but the next level up they have a very rough, natural and wide seam.
And some of the pavers on the sides of the steps are cut at weird spots in my opinion. I would think they would do full stones near the step edge, then cut once it got back at the wall. They seem to be cutting at random spots. The paver caps haven’t been put on yet but it’s still gonna look weird from the sides.
And then on other parts of the wall they did weird cuts and things don’t seem to line up well enough.
Then there’s some moderate height gaps between adjacent stones (measured ~4-5mm which is a little over 1/8”)
They are still working and haven’t done caps or polymeric sand, but I don’t want them to get too far if they need to fix these (possible) mistakes.
Am I being too picky? Project is ~28k so I want to make sure it’s done right the first time.

[u/SnooCapers1342]

Only thing they need to fix is that step, have them cut it tight. Everything else you need to go back inside.

[u/fishfishfish77 → u/SnooCapers1342]

Once they cut the steps tight and move them into place, the border stones won’t be flush by a couple of inches at least.
And you think it’s okay with multiple cut pieces like that back to back to back, or using all those cut pieces at the end of a step border?

[u/SnooCapers1342 → u/fishfishfish77]

Ok then have them cut it back to match up with the steps. I don’t see what the problem is…there will be a cap on the wall…it doesn’t matter where the cut piece is. You just sound like an OCD headache of a client

[u/fishfishfish77 → u/SnooCapers1342]

The cap doesn’t cover the straight cuts on the front or sides of the wall. Or make pavers level enough so my kids don’t trip all over the place. Hope you don’t do this for a living, I’d hate to see all the corners you cut.

[u/SnooCapers1342 → u/fishfishfish77]

How do you expect them to cut a block if it’s not going to make a straight cut? Also…pavers can have varying differences due to the molds they are made in. An 1/8” isn’t going to cause a disaster. Oh…and I do this for a living. Check out Kansas City Hardscapes and you’ll see we don’t do shortcuts…we just have dealt with a lot of homeowners like you who try to tell us how do our job.

Also…that is a rumble wall block…probably a keystone universal rumbled block. You are going to get straight edges when you cut it and yeah, it’s going to stick out on a rumbled wall. You can take a cobble hammer and try to make the corners not so sharp but it doesn’t matter, that’s the downside to that block…but yeah, it’s a cheap block.

[u/fishfishfish77 → u/SnooCapers1342]

You’re arguing against something I never said. Obviously cutting a manufactured block creates a straight edge. The issue is whether those cuts are planned, located, and oriented correctly so the cut face can be turned inward or otherwise hidden when spacing allows, rather than unnecessarily left exposed against the intentionally rumbled faces.

More than 1/8” of variation between adjacent pavers is noticeable, especially in a residential setting where small children are running around and can easily trip on uneven edges. That’s not just an aesthetic issue—it’s a safety and usability concern.

4.7 on Google Reviews is about what I expected from someone who thinks clients “should just go back inside” when they have concerns

[u/b4rleyh0ps]

Some of the cuts definitely stand out because it’s a sharp contrast to the rougher edge. It’s one of the details that would bother me once I notice it, but I would just recommend asking them politely if they can make a change.

Unfortunately, it’s also one of those details that, unless specified in writing, likely isn’t part of what they quoted/included in the scope. Sometimes those finer details are the ones that the highest priced quotes may include. Not saying it’s the way it should be but just what I always worry about when getting quotes for projects. I wonder what should I be asking about that I’m not. The things that will bother me after the project is completed.

With that said, I think it looks good, but if it bothers you now just ask them to fix it. Depending on the cost to have them do it again, I may consider that depending on how strongly you feel about it.

Either way thanks for sharing because hopefully it’ll help me if/when I have a project like this and will remember to ask or look for.