Hardscaping covers the built, non-plant parts of a property: interlocking paver driveways and walkways, patios, retaining walls, steps, pool decks, and edging that ties everything together. In Ottawa, it also means building for a climate that freezes and thaws hard every winter, which makes base preparation and drainage the difference between work that lasts twenty years and work that heaves, sinks, or cracks within two or three.
What the work actually involves
A proper interlocking job starts below grade, not with the pavers. That means excavating to the right depth, laying and compacting a granular base (usually crushed limestone), setting a bedding layer of sand, and grading everything so water sheds away from the house instead of pooling against the foundation. Retaining walls need proper backfill and drainage stone behind them, or they'll bow and fail once the soil freezes. Good contractors also plan for polymeric sand joints, edge restraints, and a compaction plan for each layer, not just the surface.
What to look for before you hire
Ask how deep they excavate for driveways versus patios (driveways need more base depth to handle vehicle weight and frost), what base material they use, and whether they carry insurance and offer a written warranty on settling or shifting. Get a few quotes: pricing swings widely based on design complexity, wall height, and site access, and the cheapest bid often skips base depth or drainage work you won't notice until a freeze-thaw cycle exposes it.
Our ranked guide to Ottawa's hardscaping and interlocking companies scores all 20 businesses in this category on the same criteria, so you can compare track record and workmanship rather than just marketing photos. Details on how we weigh and verify that data are on our methodology page.
