You know, it's interesting how when we travel to Europe or other parts of the world where we can see buildings several hundred years old, we appreciate the patina of age on things -- plaster showing its age, cracked stone paving, irregular color in brick, time-worn marble, and so on. In the US we always want to rip out the old, solid materials because of minor imperfectons, and replace them with something shiny, new, and not necessarily of equal quality. If there is a real problem with your tiles -- undermined and unstable surface, safety issues, water leaks, or whatever -- sure, replace them. But otherwise the older material has charm that pavers do not have, in particular with your nice brick wall and balusters. You'd want all your architectural elements to be speaking the same language.

Thanks, Graywings. I didn't even see that part. I had briefly read the website - noting how close to me this is manufactured!! I will definitely check this out! Amazing what can be found on these forums. In fact, amazing what can be found if you look for it! This particular walkway had sunk a bit, and there is one step up to the front porch. We were trying to figure out how to do it - when I thought about just getting a big piece of stone to raise the step up. I found a place not more than 15 miles from me that has been in business for 100+ years - the grandfather of the person working with me carved one of the prettiest bridges in our area. Who knew!! I have been researching this ad nauseum - and I never knew a solution might literally be 20 miles from me!!

On the front elevation I'd get rid of the gable over the garage. All it does is lead your eye to the garage and detract from the main body of the house. It's not a feature. The other thing I'd do is insist on them not doing the pork chop returns. Your house has a historical feel to it and that just screams contemporary mass builder.Below the red arrows point to the pork chop returns. Lastly on the rear, you have one window that isn't consistent with the rest of the windows. The one with the arched top. I'd change it to a transom window top to match the other transom windows. BTW: What is above the window I changed? That's a large blank wall on the exterior.

There was never any threat to withhold payment. We had already paid $8k of a $12k fee when all the touch up work took place. I was pleased when he offered a 25% discount on the remaining bill (amounted to about $750). As he stated, he dropped the ball in explaining the type of finish work needed and even said perhaps we would have gone with a different finish had we known. He went on to say he hates the look of stamped concrete as it looks like it’s trying to be something it’s not. Years ago it was a cheaper alternative to real stone but now the cost has risen to a point where real stone is only pennies on the dollar more. That’s all well and good, he’s entitled to his opinion…but again, all information that would have been good to know at the beginning! LOL It’s a sidewalk…if it lasts for years to come that’s what I suppose I’m mostly concerned with. And I’ve been assured the touchups should be durable. End of story, close the book, I’m outta here. Thanks for the feedback.