When should the final walkthrough happen on my Vancouver paver project?

Schedule your final walkthrough immediately after the contractor completes all work but before making final payment. This is your last opportunity to identify and address any issues while the contractor is still on-site and financially motivated to fix problems.

The final walkthrough should happen on a dry day with good lighting — ideally late morning or early afternoon when you can see the installation clearly. In Metro Vancouver's rainy climate, avoid scheduling the walkthrough during or immediately after heavy rain, as standing water can mask drainage problems and make it difficult to assess the true surface level and slope.

What to Check During Your Final Walkthrough

Walk the entire installation systematically, checking for level surfaces and proper drainage slope. Pavers should drain water away from your house and not pond anywhere on the surface. Pour a bucket of water in several spots to verify that water flows off the installation rather than pooling. This is critical in Metro Vancouver where poor drainage is the leading cause of interlock failure.

Inspect joint sand application — polymeric sand should be flush with the paver surface, not overfilled or underfilled. Joints should be completely filled with no gaps or voids. Check that polymeric sand has been properly activated (hardened) and isn't loose or dusty. In Vancouver's wet climate, properly installed polymeric sand is essential for preventing washout and weed growth.

Examine edge restraints along all unconfined edges. The snap-edge or aluminum restraint should be tight against the pavers with no gaps, and properly spiked into the base. Loose or missing edge restraints allow pavers to spread and shift over time, especially under vehicle loads on driveways.

Check for lippage — pavers that are higher or lower than adjacent pavers create trip hazards and poor aesthetics. Run your hand across paver joints to feel for height differences. Professional installations should have minimal lippage (less than 3mm or 1/8 inch between adjacent pavers).

Verify the pattern and layout matches what you agreed upon. Check that cuts around obstacles, steps, or curves are clean and properly fitted. Inspect the transition areas where pavers meet concrete, asphalt, or other materials — these joints should be sealed or properly detailed to prevent water infiltration.

Metro Vancouver Specific Considerations

In our marine climate, pay special attention to moss and algae prevention measures. The contractor should have cleaned all paver surfaces of installation debris, cement residue, and polymeric sand haze. Any white hazy residue left on pavers will trap moisture and accelerate moss growth, particularly on north-facing installations.

Check that drainage connections are complete if your project included connecting to municipal storm drains or installing drainage pipe. Verify that downspouts from your roof are properly directed away from the new paver installation — roof runoff concentrated onto pavers can cause erosion and joint sand washout.

For sloped installations common in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, and other hilly areas, confirm that retaining walls are plumb (vertical) and that terraced areas drain properly from level to level without erosion.

Documentation and Final Payment

Take photos during the walkthrough for your records. Create a punch list of any items that need correction — lippage issues, incomplete joint sand, missing edge restraints, drainage concerns, or cleaning requirements. Professional contractors expect and appreciate a systematic walkthrough and will address legitimate concerns promptly.

Don't make final payment until all punch list items are completed and you're satisfied with the installation. In BC, holdback provisions allow you to retain 10% of the contract value for a reasonable period to ensure defects are corrected.

When to Call for a Re-inspection

Schedule a follow-up inspection after the first significant rainfall (common October through March in Metro Vancouver) to verify that drainage is working as designed and that polymeric sand is performing properly. Any pooling water, joint sand washout, or settling should be addressed under warranty while the contractor is still available.

The final walkthrough is your protection against costly repairs later. Take the time to do it thoroughly — a quality interlock installation in Metro Vancouver should provide decades of service when properly installed and maintained.