2024 Installer Competition

This competition is intended to test and recognize the skill, dedication and passion of hardscape contractors from all the New England states as well as NY, NJ and PA. Each team that competes in the championship must have an understanding of the industry’s best practices and guidelines (safety, quality & craftsmanship) and will be tested in a race against the clock and other top installers in the industry. This championship will determine the “best of the best” in the hardscape industry!

Preliminary Rounds:
Wednesday 8:00am and 12:00pm
Competition Finals:
Thursday at 8:30am
Winner’s Presentation Thursday at 1:00pm

First Place: $10,000.
Second Place: $2,500.
Third Place: $1,500.
Fourth Place: $1,000.

Competition Format

There will be two Preliminary Rounds of 8 teams each. The 4 teams with the highest score from the first day will advance to the Championship Round to take place the following day.
Between each preliminary round, each construction area will be returned as close as possible to its original state by the participating team, so the subsequent team may compete without any noticeable advantage or disadvantage.
During the preliminary round(s) each team’s score will be calculated based on completeness, compliance to industry guidelines, safety, quality and craftsmanship by each judge as detailed in the Preliminary Round Judging Form.
The team’s Preliminary Round Total Score will be the sum of their score from all judges during the preliminary round.
At the end of the preliminary round(s), each team will be ranked based on their Preliminary Round Total Score. The four teams with the highest total scores will advance to the Championship round.
During the Championship round, each team will be given ninety (120) minutes to complete their construction, according to their own creative design in the assigned construction area using the materials provided.
During the Championship round each team’s score will be calculated based on completeness, compliance to industry guidelines, safety, quality, craftsmanship and creativity as detailed in the Championship Round Judging Form by each judge.
The team’s Championship Round Total Score will be the sum of their scores from all judges during the Championship round.
At the end of the Championship round, each team will be ranked based on their Championship Round Total Score. In the case of a tie, the judges will determine the final ranking.
The team ranked highest will be declared the “Regional Installer Champion.”

Application Below

Competition Format
There will be two Preliminary Rounds of 8 teams each. The 4 teams with the highest score from the first day will advance to the Championship Round to take place the following day.
Between each preliminary round, each construction area will be returned as close as possible to its original state by the participating team, so the subsequent team may compete without any noticeable advantage or disadvantage.
During the preliminary round(s) each team’s score will be calculated based on completeness, compliance to industry guidelines, safety, quality and craftsmanship by each judge as detailed in the Preliminary Round Judging Form.
The team’s Preliminary Round Total Score will be the sum of their score from all judges during the preliminary round.
At the end of the preliminary round(s), each team will be ranked based on their Preliminary Round Total Score. The four teams with the highest total scores will advance to the Championship round.
During the Championship round, each team will be given ninety (90) minutes to complete their construction, according to their own creative design in the assigned construction area using the materials provided.
During the Championship round each team’s score will be calculated based on completeness, compliance to industry guidelines, safety, quality, craftsmanship and creativity as detailed in the Championship Round Judging Form by each judge.
The team’s Championship Round Total Score will be the sum of their scores from all judges during the Championship round.
At the end of the Championship round, each team will be ranked based on their Championship Round Total Score. In the case of a tie, the judges will determine the final ranking.
The team ranked highest will be declared the “Regional Installer Champion.”

Layout and Work
During each preliminary round, all teams will construct an 8’x10’ patio area within 60 minutes as detailed in the supplied drawing involving:
4”x 8” pavers installed in a herringbone pattern with a soldier course
Bedding sand, edge restraint
Compaction without joint sand
Installation of a 12” high seat wall plus coping comprised of 4”x8”x12” wall block intersecting at 90° in one corner and extending 64” in one direction and 40” in the other
1 Note: Joints will not be filled with sand nor will a final compaction be performed
2 After the judging, it is the responsibility of each team to re-palletize the materials used. Failure to do this will result in a forfeiture.
All materials to be used in the construction will be provided and placed in the team’s assigned area. Pre-cut or discarded materials left from previous rounds cannot be used in the construction. Teams cannot supply their own materials.Teams are required to be at their designated construction area not less than 15 minutes prior to the start of the round they are competing in. Failure to arrive at this time will constitute a withdrawal from the Northeast Hardscape Expo Installer Championship.

2024 Northeast Hardscape Installer Championships
Download Entry Form Here!

Registration Fee: The cost is $200.00 per entry
Fee is refunded in full upon participation at the competition. Fee is non-refundable if the team elects not to participate.
Conditions
1. Registration is not considered complete until the fully completed and signed Team Registration Form is received along with supporting documents and payment.
2. Cancellations must be submitted to the Event Organizer in writing at least 1 week in advance of the event. Substitutions will be permitted from the same company any time prior to the event.
3. Northeast Hardscape Expo and NECMA are not responsible for expenses incurred due to cancellation of the championship.
4. Any participants who are found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the Regional Installer Championship will be immediately disqualified from the competition and the registration fee will be forfeited.
6. All decisions of the judges are final.
7. Failure to comply with the rules or conditions of the Championship by any team member will result in the team’s disqualification.
Championship Rules – Entry is limited to the first 16 completed registrations.
1. Complete the Team Registration Form, each team member MUST sign the form.
2. Teams must submit proof of their general liability and workers compensation insurance coverage.
3. Submit both the completed Team Registration Form and the insurance documents by email or mail along with your $200.00 registration fee to NECMA, PO Box 1131, Webster, MA 01570-9998. Any questions, please call 774-402-0653.
a. Each team must have two (2) crew members and may choose to register one (1) alternate, ALL must sign and date this Team Registration Form.
b. Teams must attend the pre-event meeting scheduled on Wednesday, March 20, 2023 at 7:00am at Mohegan Sun. The judging criteria and rules will be reviewed. Teams will be randomly placed in a preliminary round and assigned a construction area at the pre-event meeting. Failure to attend or make alternate arrangements will constitute a withdrawal from the Northeast Hardscape Expo Installer Championship and forfeiture of the entry fee.
c. Each team will be provided with basic hand tools and personal safety equipment. The following larger tools will be supplied for use during the Championship:

• Weber CF3 vibratory plate compactor,
• Screed rails
• Screed board
• A comprehensive list of additional tools that we provide will be sent to you with your confirmation to compete in our event.
• Teams may bring and use their own small hand tools.

Questions? Please contact Brian Scanlon at 774-402-0653 or email: bscanlon@necma.com
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY AGREES TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE NORTHEAST HARDSCAPE EXPO, NECMA, YOFFE EXPOSITION SERVICES, INC. MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS AND AGENTS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, JUDGMENTS, INJURIES OR DAMAGES TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY FEES AND COURT COSTS) ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION. NEITHER NECMA NOR THE NORTHEAST HARDSCAPE EXPO PROVIDE ANY FORM OF ACCIDENT, MEDICAL, LIABILITY, WORKER’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE OR ANY OTHER INSURANCE FOR COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS OR ANY THIRD PARTIES. NORTHEAST HARDSCAPE EXPO AND NECMA EACH SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSSES, INJURIES OR DAMAGES TO ANY PERSON(S) OR PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM A PARTY’S VOLUNTARY AND KNOWING PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED PARTICIPANTS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OR ACTIONS HE OR SHE MAY HAVE AGAINST NORTHEAST HARDSACPE EXPO AND/OR NECMA AND YOFFE EXPOSITION SERVICES, INC.FOR ANY INJURIES, DAMAGES OR LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM HIS OR HER PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED AGREES TO CAREFULLY INSPECT AND SATISFY HIM OR HERSELF THAT THE FACILITIES, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDED ARE REASONABLY SAFE FOR THEIR INTENDED USE. ONCE HAVING CONDUCTED THE INSPECTION, EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED AGREES TO EXPRESSLY ASSUME THE RISK OF PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION AT THE COMPETITION SITE. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT BOTH NORTHEAST HARDSCAPE EXPO and NECMA RETAIN THE RIGHT TO USE PHOTOS AND VIDEO TAKEN DURING ACTIVITIES FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT ANY PAYMENT TO THE PARTICIPATING COMPETITORS. PARTICIPATION BY EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED IN THE COMPETITION IS UNDERTAKEN KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND CONSTITUTES FULL ACCEPTANCE OF THESE CONDITIONS, CHAMPIONSHIP RULES, STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY.

Download Entry Form Here!