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The configured source value 7 is provenance only and must never be described as the number of platforms studied.","The finalrankingtable is the sole authority for rank, platform mentions, platform share, average rank, and best rank. Ignore any conflicting value embedded in a entity evidence bundle.","The Consensus Ranking table must contain exactly one row per finalrankingtable entity, in that order, using that exact entityname. Never split one ranked entity into two product, model, SKU, or product-line rows, and never add another ranking row for a brand already listed. Put recommended products or plans inside that entity's ranked section.","Platform mentions count only ranking-discovery mentions. Do not substitute the number of platforms that later completed a fit assessment.","Citation IDs inside each entity bundle are local to that entity. Consolidate sources by URL using the supplied source catalog.","The URLs were collected from platform responses and were not independently validated by either writer stage.","Each fitreviewurlorplaceholder is the final site-relative CMS path for that entity's review. Link the entity name to that exact path exactly once in its ranked prose section, outside tables and headings. Never replace it with a run ID, report ID, UUID, or local output path.","Use the exact entity-namespaced citation IDs from the source catalog (e.g. e1:); never transfer a citation between entities."],"methodology":{"fit_rating_contract":["strong","good","mixed","weak","uncertain"],"included_valid_platform_count":7,"maximum_finalists":10,"minimum_mentions":2,"name":"Home Improvement Consensus Index cross-platform AI consensus analysis","platforms_included":["anthropic","deepseek","google","grok","kimi","openai","perplexity"],"platforms_queried":["openai","anthropic","deepseek","grok","perplexity","kimi","google"],"stages":["ranking_discovery","fit_assessment","normalization","editorial_synthesis"],"version":"alias-table-1"},"provenance":{"generated_at":"2026-10-02 22:45:27.211915+00","research_date":"2026-10-02","source_snapshot_sha256":"133eb4f374bb33d641d06501d6d3803f514cec183345f35a2331a035c1f09205","verification_scope":"public_verification"},"ranking":{"candidates_evaluated":35,"qualified_finalists":9,"ranking_unit":"Siding, decking, or exterior renovation contractor"},"schema_version":4,"summary":"System Pavers is the consensus leader for homeowners laying a paver or stone patio in 2026, named by 4 of 7 platforms (57.1%) at an average listed position of 2.25. It is the only entity in this index named by more than two platforms. The strongest alternatives for distinct buyer needs are Tree Care Enterprises (northern Illinois clay and freeze-thaw base engineering), TAB Property Enhancement (Northeast Ohio Unilock-authorized freeze-thaw builds), Greenstone Gardens (southeastern Pennsylvania ICPI-style base and drainage), and Sta-Built Construction (Pacific Northwest deep-excavation base…","target_buyer":"A homeowner laying a paver or stone patio, where base preparation and drainage decide whether it settles or heaves.","topic":{"base_category":"Siding and Exterior Renovation","category_criteria":["base preparation depth","drainage and grading","paver and edge restraint quality","material range and durability","weather and moisture detailing","crew professionalism","project timeline","price transparency","workmanship warranty","customer review strength"],"geography":"United States","slug":"best-patio-and-hardscape-installation-companies","title":"Best Patio and Hardscape Installation Companies","use_case":"patio and hardscape"}}