Before any work can start the site must be measured. At this time we take notice of the land slope, assess the length of the plants' roots, figure out how to deal with water flow, and nail down all the other little problems. This step is very straightforward but it carries a lot of weight. It allows us for accurate pricing of the project and prevents ugly surprises. For example, failing to account for the gutters can ruin a piece of the installation due to the water erosion. Once extent and shape of the installation is defined, you will need to pick the actual brick design. This is the best time to visit the sites on our reference list. This will give you a good idea for the feel of different textures and patterns seen from a distance and in natural light. (We found pictures and even actual brick samples insufficient on their own as they emphasize different hues and curves than your eye may want to see.) At this point you are free to change the concept in any way you want. The scheduling process has two steps. First we will let you know the approximate week we can start. This usually gives you a few weeks of time to research your design and brick selection. Then, at least one week in advance, we will schedule the exact day when the work will commence. By this time we expect you to have finalized all choices, including the brick's colors. We need to know your selections before we can schedule the project! The actual date may be put off by weather or other factors largely independent of our will. On the first day our crews will arrive accompanied by the consultant that knows your concept and with whom you have already spoken. They will start preparing the site by removing any old hardscape and grading the terrain in accordance to the plan. As much as we try to keep the site neat and relatively clean, you may be startled to see the rapid and somewhat drastic to the familiar piece of land. This is normal and will get a little worse. With the terrain ready for installation we will fill the excavations with gravel. Then, we will compact it with special machinery. It is a noisy process. Usually the thickness is kept at a minimum of four to six inches to allow for good support and water drainage. The sand is next. It holds the bricks in place and allows us to fine grade the slopes. This may look like a weak base, but it is not. We know the key proportions and rules that allow the sand, gravel, and underlying terrain to work with each other to provide solid support for the bricks. We even guarantee that the bricks will not shift! Next come the bricks. This may seem to be an unsophisticated process. Maybe it is. However, it takes diamond tipped, high-speed rotary saws to cut the brick to fit the right way. Angles must be measured for each brick on any and all curves making the cutting even trickier. Finally, the pattern and distances must be kept or the tons of brick will have to be relayed. Finally, after all the bricks are in place we will sweep and clean the site. You will be left only with a new and beautiful improvement ready for your full enjoyment. Please give the very thin layer of sand a few days to get blown off. With some bricks efflorescence may develop. However, this white powder-like residue of (plant safe) solvable salt will clear away in time.