When comparing quotes for your Ottawa interlock project, you might encounter prices that seem too good to be true. A quote at $12 per square foot when the market average is $18-22 should raise immediate red flags. Understanding what cheap quotes typically exclude is crucial to avoiding costly mistakes and project failures.

At Interlock Experts, we believe in transparent pricing that reflects the true scope of quality workmanship. This guide reveals the common exclusions and tactics used in suspiciously low quotes, helping Ottawa homeowners make informed decisions about their interlock investments.

Why Cheap Interlock Quotes Should Concern You

The interlock paving industry in Ottawa has established pricing standards based on material costs, labor requirements, and the technical expertise needed for long-lasting installations. When a quote comes in significantly below market rates, it almost always means corners are being cut or essential components are being excluded.

The consequences of choosing the cheapest quote often emerge within 1-3 years: sinking pavers, weed growth through joints, poor drainage causing water pooling, and structural failure requiring complete reinstallation. What seemed like savings becomes an expensive lesson.

10 Common Exclusions in Cheap Interlock Quotes

1. Proper Base Depth and Quality Materials

What cheap quotes assume: The existing base is adequate or a minimal 4-inch granular base will suffice.

What quality requires: Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycles demand a minimum 8-12 inch compacted granular base (more for driveways). This base must consist of proper graded limestone screenings, installed in layers with compaction between each lift.

Cost impact: Cutting base depth can save $3-5 per square foot initially but almost guarantees settling and failure within 2-3 years. The repair cost? Often exceeds the original installation price.

2. Comprehensive Site Preparation

Excluded from cheap quotes: Proper excavation to required depth, soil removal, site leveling, and compaction equipment rental.

Proper process includes: Excavating to full depth (typically 12-16 inches for driveways), removing unsuitable soil, laser-level grading for drainage, and plate compaction with proper equipment.

What happens when skipped: Uneven surfaces, poor drainage, premature settling, and structural instability. These issues manifest quickly and require extensive repairs.

3. Geotextile Fabric Installation

Why it’s omitted: Saves approximately $0.50-1.00 per square foot in material and labor costs.

Its critical function: Geotextile fabric prevents base material migration into subsoil, maintains structural integrity, and dramatically extends installation lifespan. It acts as a separation barrier that prevents the granular base from mixing with clay soils common in Ottawa.

Long-term consequence: Without fabric, the base gradually weakens as fine materials migrate, leading to voids, settling, and eventual failure. The difference between a 10-year lifespan and a 25+ year lifespan often comes down to this single component.

4. Proper Drainage Solutions

Common exclusions: Slope correction, catch basins, drainage pipes, connection to existing drainage systems, and water management planning.

Minimum requirements: Proper interlock installation requires a 2% slope away from structures, strategic placement of drainage solutions, and integration with your property’s water management system. For problematic areas, French drains or catch basins are essential.

What poor drainage causes: Water pooling destroys the base material through repeated freeze-thaw cycles, causes ice buildup in winter (liability hazard), promotes weed growth, and can damage your home’s foundation if water drains toward the structure.

5. Quality Edge Restraints

Cheap quote approach: Plastic edge restraints or minimal concrete edging, often not properly secured.

Proper installation requires: Commercial-grade aluminum or steel edge restraints, or substantial concrete curbing (minimum 6 inches deep), secured with heavy-duty spikes every 12 inches. Edge restraint prevents lateral movement of pavers over time.

Failure scenario: Without proper edging, pavers gradually spread apart, creating gaps, allowing sand loss, promoting weed growth, and causing edge pavers to tilt or sink. The entire installation can unravel from the edges inward.

6. Premium Polymeric Sand

The substitution: Regular stone dust or cheap polymeric sand alternatives instead of quality polymeric jointing sand.

Why quality polymeric sand matters: Premium polymeric sand hardens when activated with water, creating a semi-flexible bond that resists erosion, inhibits weed growth, prevents insect nests, and maintains joint stability through freeze-thaw cycles.

Cost difference vs. value: The difference is about $2-3 per square foot, but using stone dust means annual joint maintenance, constant weed removal, and ant colony problems. Quality polymeric sand can last 10+ years with minimal maintenance.

7. Professional Sealing

Typically listed as: “Optional upgrade” or completely excluded from the base quote.

Sealing benefits: Protects pavers from staining, enhances color vibrancy, makes cleaning easier, provides UV protection, and can extend paver life by 50% or more. For driveways especially, sealing prevents oil stains from becoming permanent.

When to seal: Initial sealing should occur 60-90 days after installation (allowing polymeric sand to fully cure), then resealing every 2-3 years. Budget $2-4 per square foot for professional sealing.

8. Meaningful Workmanship Warranty

Cheap quote warranties: 1-year limited warranty, warranty only on materials (not installation), or vague warranty language with numerous exclusions.

Quality installation warranty: Minimum 5-year comprehensive workmanship warranty covering settling, shifting, drainage issues, and structural problems. The warranty should be transferable to new homeowners.

Red flag: If a contractor isn’t confident enough to warranty their work for at least 5 years, they know they’re cutting corners. Quality installations using proper techniques should last 20-30 years with minimal issues.

9. Removal of Existing Surfaces

Common tactic: Quote excludes removal and disposal of existing concrete, asphalt, or old interlock, listing it as a separate charge that’s revealed later.

Full project scope includes: Safe removal of existing surfaces, proper disposal (following Ottawa regulations), potential repair of underlying damage, and site restoration. This can add $3-8 per square foot depending on material and depth.

Question to ask: “Does your quote include complete removal and disposal of my existing driveway/patio?” Get this confirmed in writing.

10. Contingency Costs and Site Challenges

Conveniently omitted: Utility location and protection, permit fees, unexpected soil conditions, site access challenges, tree root removal, and material delivery complications.

Reality of Ottawa projects: Many properties have underground utilities, clay soil requiring extra base work, limited access for equipment, or other complications. Experienced contractors factor reasonable contingencies into quotes.

Bait-and-switch scenario: Low initial quote, then as work begins, contractor “discovers” issues requiring additional charges. Suddenly your $8,000 project becomes $14,000, but you’re already committed.

Material Quality Differences That Impact Cost

Not all interlock pavers are created equal. Cheap quotes often rely on budget-grade pavers from questionable suppliers:

Premium brands (Unilock, Techo-Bloc, Permacon): Manufactured to strict standards, consistent sizing, superior color retention, comprehensive warranties, and proven durability in Canadian climates.
Budget alternatives: Inconsistent dimensions requiring extra cutting and adjustment, poor color fastness (fading within 2-3 years), higher breakage rates, and minimal manufacturer support.
Price difference: Premium pavers cost $2-4 more per square foot but maintain appearance and integrity for decades. Budget pavers may look acceptable initially but degrade rapidly.

Labor Reduction Tactics in Low-Bid Quotes

Cheap quotes often achieve low prices through labor compromises:

Inexperienced installers: Using unskilled laborers instead of trained interlock specialists saves on wages but results in poor workmanship, improper techniques, and installation failures.
Rushed timelines: Completing a job in 2 days instead of the 4-5 days needed for proper installation. Critical steps like compaction between base layers require time that rushed crews skip.
Minimal supervision: No experienced supervisor overseeing quality control, leading to errors in grading, drainage, and finishing work.
Cutting corners on finishing: Minimal joint filling, incomplete edge securing, poor cleanup, and no final inspection or touch-up work.

Hidden Fees That Appear After Signing

Low initial quotes often exclude charges that emerge once work begins:

Permit handling: $200-500 for permit applications and inspections
Disposal fees: $300-800 for removing excavated material and old surfaces
Equipment rental: $150-400 for specialized equipment “not included in base quote”
Material delivery: $200-600 depending on site access and distance
Site protection: $100-300 for protecting lawn, landscaping, and adjacent structures
Final grading and restoration: $300-700 for restoring lawn edges and adjacent areas

Side-by-Side Quote Comparison Framework

Here’s how to compare quotes for a typical 500 sq ft Ottawa driveway:

Cheap Quote Breakdown ($6,000)

Budget pavers: $3,000
4-inch base: $800
Basic labor: $1,500
Minimal edging: $200
Stone dust joints: $100
EXCLUDES: Proper excavation, geotextile, drainage, quality polymeric sand, sealing, warranty

Quality Quote Breakdown ($10,000)

Premium pavers (Unilock): $4,000
12-inch compacted base: $1,800
Geotextile fabric: $250
Professional labor: $2,200
Quality edge restraints: $400
Premium polymeric sand: $300
Proper excavation/grading: $600
Drainage solutions: $350
Initial sealing: $600
5-year warranty: Included

The True Cost of Cheap Installation

Consider this common scenario Ottawa homeowners face:

Year 0: Choose cheap quote, save $4,000 initially
Year 2: Notice settling in corners, weeds growing through joints
Year 3: Significant settling requires repair: $2,500
Year 4: Drainage issues cause water pooling, additional repairs: $1,800
Year 5: Extensive failure requires complete reinstallation: $11,000

Total 5-year cost: $6,000 + $2,500 + $1,800 + $11,000 = $21,300

Meanwhile, the quality installation at $10,000 requires only routine maintenance (joint sand top-up and resealing every 3 years at approximately $1,000), for a total 5-year cost of $11,000.

The cheap quote actually costs nearly double over 5 years, plus the stress, inconvenience, and potential safety hazards during the deterioration period.

Questions to Ask Every Interlock Contractor

Protect yourself by asking these specific questions:

“What is the exact base depth and material specification?”
“Is geotextile fabric included in your quote?”
“What type of edge restraint will you use, and how will it be secured?”
“What brand and grade of polymeric sand is included?”
“Does the quote include removal and disposal of existing surfaces?”
“What drainage solutions are included in the scope?”
“What warranty do you provide on workmanship, and what does it cover?”
“What paver brand and specific product line are you quoting?”
“Are permits, disposal, and all site preparation included?”
“Can you provide references from Ottawa projects completed 3+ years ago?”

Legitimate contractors welcome these questions and provide detailed, written answers. Contractors offering cheap quotes often become evasive or provide vague responses.

Red Flags That Indicate a Problematic Quote

Quote is 30%+ below other estimates without clear explanation
Contractor can’t specify exact base depth or materials
No mention of geotextile fabric or drainage solutions
Pressure to sign immediately with “special pricing today only”
Quote lacks detailed scope of work breakdown
Contractor has no permanent business address or website
Can’t provide insurance certificates or WSIB documentation
Requests large cash deposit (50%+ upfront)
No written warranty or vague warranty terms
Can’t provide verifiable references from completed projects

How Interlock Experts Provides Transparent Pricing

At Interlock Experts, we believe homeowners deserve clear, comprehensive quotes that reflect the true scope of quality work:

Detailed written estimates: Every component itemized with specifications
Site assessment: We visit your property to identify potential challenges before quoting
Material specifications: Exact paver brand, base materials, and component details
Comprehensive scope: All preparation, installation, finishing, and cleanup included
5-year workmanship warranty: Comprehensive coverage on all structural aspects
No hidden fees: Permits, disposal, and all standard requirements included
Payment schedule: Reasonable deposit (25%), progress payments tied to milestones

Our transparent pricing approach means no surprises and no pressure tactics. We want you to feel confident in your investment.

When Repair Costs More Than Quality Installation

We frequently encounter homeowners facing expensive repairs from failed cheap installations. Common scenarios include:

Complete reinstallation: $12,000-18,000 for a driveway that cost $6,000 poorly installed
Base reconstruction: $8,000-12,000 to excavate, remove inadequate base, and rebuild properly
Drainage retrofits: $3,000-6,000 to add drainage solutions not included initially
Settling repairs: $2,000-5,000 to lift, re-level, and stabilize sunken areas

Our repair services can address some issues, but extensive failures often require complete reinstallation at costs exceeding what quality installation would have cost initially.

Making the Smart Investment Decision

Quality interlock installation is a significant investment that adds value to your property, enhances curb appeal, and provides decades of reliable service. The difference between cheap and quality quotes often comes down to:

Short-term savings vs. long-term value: Saving $4,000 today but spending $15,000 in repairs over 5 years is poor economics
Contractor integrity: Companies offering unrealistic prices are either inexperienced, cutting corners, or planning to add charges later
Peace of mind: Quality installation with comprehensive warranty eliminates stress and protects your investment
Property value: Professional interlock work increases home value; failed installations become selling obstacles

When reviewing quotes, focus on value rather than price. The cheapest option is rarely the most economical choice when you account for longevity, maintenance, and potential repairs.

Get a Comprehensive Quote You Can Trust

Interlock Experts serves Ottawa and surrounding areas with professional interlock installation that prioritizes quality, transparency, and long-term client satisfaction. Our quotes include everything needed for proper installation, clearly itemized with no hidden fees or surprise charges.

We encourage homeowners to get multiple quotes and ask detailed questions. An informed client makes better decisions and appreciates the value of quality workmanship.

Ready for a transparent, comprehensive quote? Contact Interlock Experts today at +1 613 981 0199 for a detailed estimate that includes all components of professional installation. We’ll visit your property, assess site-specific requirements, and provide a clear, written quote that reflects the true scope of quality work.

Visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation, or explore our pricing guide to understand the factors that influence interlock installation costs in Ottawa.

Don’t let a cheap quote become an expensive mistake. Invest in quality installation that protects your home and delivers lasting value.

Interlock Pricing: What Cheap Quotes Usually Exclude (Ottawa)