Concrete Patios in New York
A patio is a simple slab, but in New York it still sits inside the state's home improvement contract rules, and the ground underneath ranges from Long Island outwash sand to heavier soils that hold water. Both shape what a good estimate looks like.
Contracts, deposits and cancelling
New York's General Business Law requires most home improvement contracts over $500 to be in writing, legible and in plain English. Any payment before the work is finished must go into an escrow account in a New York bank within five business days, or be covered by a bond or contract of indemnity delivered to you.
You also have an unconditional right to cancel until midnight of the third business day after you sign, as long as you cancel in writing.
Ground and drainage
A U.S. Geological Survey report describes sand-to-boulder outwash deposits south of Long Island's Ronkonkoma and Harbor Hill moraines. Ground like that drains well but needs a thoroughly compacted base. Where the soil is heavier and holds water, a patio needs more slope and sometimes a drain at its low edge.
Finish
Broom finish costs least and grips best in rain and frost. Exposed aggregate and stamped finishes cost more and need sealing every few years, especially where de-icing salt is tracked on.
If the patio needs steps down to the yard or a low wall, those parts need footings below your municipality's published frost depth, which ranges from 36 inches in Malverne to 48 inches in the Town of Ithaca. That extra digging is often where two New York estimates differ most.
Concrete Patios questions
Does my New York patio contract have to be in writing?
If it costs more than $500, yes. New York's General Business Law requires most home improvement contracts over that amount to be written, legible and in plain English.
What happens to my deposit for a New York patio?
The contractor must place it in an escrow account at a New York bank within five business days, or give you a bond or contract of indemnity instead.
How long do I have to cancel a patio contract in New York?
Until midnight of the third business day after signing, and the cancellation must be in writing.
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