Check state licensing or registration
South Carolina regulates residential contractors through the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). Residential builders are licensed, and residential specialty contractors register in specific trades for all but very small jobs. The masonry classification, for example, includes mortarless masonry products.
Before you sign, look the company up in LLR's online license verification and make sure the status is active and the name matches your contract. Ask which license or registration covers your project, especially if it includes walls, steps or concrete footings.
Paver materials compared
Ask every contractor which product they are quoting and why it suits your project.
| Strengths | Things to ask about on the coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete pavers | Wide range of shapes and colors; easy to replace single units | Color fade in full sun, sealing options, and the thickness used for driveways |
| Clay brick pavers | Color runs all the way through and holds up well over time | Fewer shapes and sizes; check slip resistance when wet |
| Travertine | A natural stone that tends to stay cooler underfoot; popular around pools | Sealing, how it handles salt and pool chemicals, and a matching base |
| Permeable pavers | Let rain soak through joints into a stone base | Need a deeper, open-graded base; ask how they handle drainage on sandy soil |
| Natural stone slabs | High-end look for patios and walkways | Thickness, base design and how uneven pieces are leveled |
We never post one-size-fits-all prices. Your free quote will list the exact product, base depth and edging for your project.
Myrtle Beach and Horry County rules to know
Inside city limits, the City of Myrtle Beach Construction Services Department handles building permits, plan review, inspections and floodplain plan review. The city also publishes residential driveway installation requirements for the part of a driveway that sits in the public right-of-way. Homes in unincorporated areas such as Carolina Forest and Socastee fall under Horry County instead, so confirm which one covers your address and who will check permit needs.
Many Grand Strand neighborhoods have HOA or architectural review rules for driveways, patios and pool decks. Get any approval in writing before you sign a contract so the design doesn't have to change mid-project.
Digging: SC811 asks everyone to submit a locate request at least three business days before digging, not counting the day you file, weekends and holidays, for projects of any size. Paver jobs involve excavation, so ask your contractor who opens the ticket. Utilities don't mark private lines such as irrigation, so point those out.
Coastal conditions: sandy soil drains well but still needs a compacted base and solid edge restraint, and heavy summer storms make grading away from the house important. Ask each contractor how they handle all three.
Questions to ask every paver contractor
- Which state license or registration do you hold, and does it cover this project?
- How deep will you excavate, what base material will you use and how will you compact it?
- What edge restraint will you install, and how is it anchored?
- Which way will water drain, and how will you keep it away from the house?
- Which joint sand or polymeric sand will you use, and do you recommend sealing?
- For a driveway, which paver thickness and base will you use for vehicle loads?
- Who contacts SC811, and who handles any city, county or HOA approvals?
- What warranty covers settling and workmanship, and for how long?
- Can I see two or three projects you finished at least a year ago?
Red flags
- A quote that does not list base depth, base material or edge restraint.
- Plans to lay pavers on sand alone over loose soil, with little or no compacted base.
- No active LLR license or registration, or a company name that does not match it.
- Large cash deposits, or pressure to sign the same day.
- No mention of drainage or slope on a patio next to the house.
- No written contract that spells out the scope, materials and timeline.
Get your free, exact quote
We don't post prices because every project is different. Tell us about yours and a local pro will give you an exact number, free and with no obligation.
Get my free, exact quote Or call (843) 483-5683
Sources checked 2026-10-30: SC LLR: Residential specialty contractor registration; City of Myrtle Beach: Construction Services Department; SC811: homeowners.