An image appears of the design, which can be adjusted to fit the customer's desires. Systems Paving assists in the process by pointing out the different colors, sizes and patterns available. It also reviews ideas to make sure they are doable. With the design completed and downloaded, the company's software program, PaverImager, shows the customer what the site will look like, giving the customer the opportunity to "view" the work before it's started and before a penny is invested. Once a final, detailed design is agreed upon and the customer signs on, Systems Paving begins installation. Driveways provide the bulk of the company's work.

Customers get to design the site that best complements their home, according to Ian Forman, president of Systems Paving Franchise. "They can coordinate the color of the driveway to match the color of their home," says Forman. "One of the beauties of the product is you can customize it to provide the homeowner with exactly what they're looking for."
The company even shows the installation process in video clips on a laptop.

In addition to providing creative control so the customer doesn't have to worry about unwanted surprises, Systems Paving works with a product that provides additional advantages, according to Forman. Interlocking paving stones. For starters, these stones are aesthetically pleasing and very resistant to New England weather conditions, Forman says. "Paving stones are freeze- and thaw-resistant so you don't get heaving and settling," he says. "You maintain a nice, smooth surface. "Then, a very big factor, particularly in the real estate market here, is without a doubt they improve the value of the home. The stones are looked upon as a home improvement investment rather than with asphalt, which is considered more a home maintenance expense. You never recoup your money on it, but this has been shown to at least double your investment if you should ever sell your home."

The cost to install a straightforward 1,000-square-foot driveway with interlocking paving stones is between $12,000 and $14,000, according to Forman. The exact price tag depends on the amount of site preparation involved. On average, installation takes four to five days to complete.

By comparison, the cost to install a straightforward 1,000-square-foot driveway with asphalt is between $3,000 and $5,000, Forman says.

"But with asphalt, the only time it's perfect is the moment it's done," he says. "Beyond that, it's going to deteriorate and require constant maintenance to keep it looking fairly decent. It's always going to be black and prone to heaving and settling.
"With us, the stones are virtually maintenance-free, they increase the appeal of the home and they appreciate with your home. You always see a return on your money. The driveway lasts decades and the stones come with a lifetime guarantee against cracking or breaking. If a stone does break, it's replaced free of charge. But that's a very rare occurrence. It's an incredibly durable product because of the manufacturing process."

For customers interested in expanding their driveway, new stones can be added and installed in such a way as to create a seamless fit, Forman notes.

Since its start in 2002, Systems Paving in Waltham has made about 400 installations. "This year we've more than quadrupled our first year's business," says Forman. "We've had a tremendous response with good word-of-mouth referrals, positive testimonials and letters of recommendation. Customers are amazed at the quality and how beautiful it looks. They're very satisfied with the results."

The company was founded in Newport Beach, Calif., by Larry Green in 1992. Franchising began in 2000 with independently owned and operated franchises now located in Chicago, Atlanta and Waltham. Corporate locations can be found in California, Seattle and Denver. Forman opened his franchise in Southborough before moving to Waltham 10 months ago.
A former Framingham resident who now lives in Lincoln, Forman says Systems Paving caught his eye while he was living in California. "I just watched the growth of the company there and saw more and more of their installations," says the South African native. "I was very impressed by the quality of the product and the whole concept. Upon researching it, I realized that it's a very new industry in America. (Interlocking paving stones) are very popular in Europe and Canada, but less so in the United States.

"And when I researched it (in Massachusetts), I saw there was very little amount of it being done here. I decided that it represented a good opportunity to introduce an alternative, particularly in the Northeast where asphalt has always been the material of choice even though it doesn't weather very well because of the severe weather conditions here."
Though customers have creative freedom, most travel the conservative route with their designs, according to Forman. "They want something that looks beautiful, is long-lasting and doesn't pull attention away from the home to the driveway," he says. "It's part of a beautiful setting. It complements the home rather than being the focal point of the home."

Installation typically takes place from April through November. "As soon as the ground thaws and until it freezes, we can work," says Forman.

For an additional cost, Systems Paving can install an underground heating system. "We're seeing quite an interest in that this year," says Forman. "The customer never has to worry about plowing snow. It's a nice idea for people who plan on staying in their home for a long time or don't want to shovel or snowblow or who are in the medical community and have to leave their home in emergency situations at any time. They now don't have to worry if the driveway has been plowed. This way, it's always bone-dry."

For the future, Systems Paving has "an ongoing desire to expand through franchising in other parts of the country," says Forman. "People approach them all the time. The request is reviewed to see if it's a good fit and they go from there."
Forman's franchise has its own expansion desires. "We've got big growth plans for next year, bringing on some new people, particularly in sales and construction management," he says. "We see a tremendous opportunity to significantly increase our business next year.

"The biggest challenge is not to grow too fast and lose control of the quality of our service and installation.... We have to make sure we have the correct people in place who are well trained before we expand."

It's all about living up to the company's motto: "Our quality is set in stone."

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