It may seem tempting to go with the lowest bid when getting estimates on a brick patio, walkway, or driveway. However, it’s not wise to cut corners when it comes to brick installation in Michigan. Low-ball bids may reduce your initial cost, but you’ll end up paying for it in the long run once hidden weaknesses start to show.
Most long-term failures in brick work aren’t due to the surface materials themselves. Rather, it’s what’s underneath that need to be high in quality or else it will fail later on.
Proper installation by an experienced brick contractor in Metro Detroit requires:
- A deep, compacted gravel base
- Correct grading for drainage
- Professional edge restraints
- Layered sand bedding
- Precise leveling and compaction
Cheap installations rush these steps just to save time and labor. While you may assume everything looks OK at first, the structure underneath may fail once it’s exposed to real weather conditions.
5 Common Issues With Low-Cost Brick Installation
Improper installation usually reveals these problems within the first few seasons:
- Sinking and settling due to an underbuilt or poorly compacted base
- Uneven surfaces caused by improper grading or leveling
- Water pooling from poor drainage design
- Brick shifting or spreading resulting from weak or missing edge restraints
- Freeze-thaw damage in colder climates that accelerates movement and cracking
Drainage Problems Are Expensive to Fix
Water can get trapped under brick structures unless proper drainage is in place, leading to:
- Erosion of the base material
- Soft spots and sudden dips
- Heaving during winter freezes
- Structural instability across large sections
Fixing drainage after installation is never easy. It’s always better to address drainage issues before rather than after, to avoid the need for partial or full removal of the existing work.
Cheap Materials Don’t Last as Long
Contractors who offer suspiciously low prices often use lower-grade materials to reduce upfront pricing. Durability and quality will suffer in the long run due to shortcuts such as:
- Thin or low-density pavers
- Weak polymeric sand or joint filler
- Inadequate edge restraints
- Reused or mixed base materials
These materials tend to deteriorate faster under pressure, weather, and daily traffic.
Labor Quality Makes a Difference
Poor workmanship can lead to long-term problems no matter how good the materials are. Inexperienced installers may:
- Rush layout and leveling
- Ignore slope requirements
- Skip compaction steps
- Fail to properly lock in edges
These mistakes often become noticeable over time as the surface shifts and deteriorates, leaving you holding the bag for future repairs.
The Real Cost Shows Up Later
What seemed like a cheap installation that saved you money in the beginning can quickly morph into a money pit of multiple repairs. Later on, you may have to:
- Re-level sunken areas
- Replace failed sections
- Fix drainage and erosion issues
- Rebuild edge restraints
In many cases, homeowners end up paying more in repairs than they would have spent for a proper installation in the first place.
Brick Work: A Long-Term Investment in Your Property
When installed correctly by experienced professionals, brickwork can last decades with minimal maintenance. When installed cheaply, on the other hand, you could be faced with repeated expenses that only worsen over the years.
Get a Free Quote From It’s The Brick Guys
Are you planning a patio, walkway, or driveway? You deserve brick installations and repairs done the right way the first time. Call our brick contractors in Michigan today at (833) 627-4257 to schedule a free estimate and consultation.
