I'm having a paver patio built in addition to a brick/block landing and set of stairs. I'd like to have one contractor do the entire job to help make sure it matches well. The problem I'm having is that I clearly need a mason for the stairs and landing, which is 4 feet high. All of the masons I've talked to strongly prefer to set the patio in concrete. On the other hand, landscapers and garden centers will only do it in stone and stone dust and won't touch the other half of the job.

I plan to stay in the house for less than 5 years and am located in northern VA, so freezing isn't that big of an issue. The masons claim that it will be maintenance free and last forever, but it's a around $2k more. My question is whether it's worth it or not?? I would think that if maintenance is needed on concrete it's much harder as opposed to reseting a paver. I can picture something heavy cracking a brick or water getting under and cracking it.

Any advice or thoughts are greatly appreciated.