Driveway stones from Kann in light gray

Hello,
we would like to have our driveway paved with Kann Vios stones in 40x20x8 in light gray.

We are currently getting several quotes and a garden landscaper said he would take anthracite instead of light gray because the stones get darker over time anyway and with the light stones you can see every stain (e.g. oil).

What are your opinions / experiences on this?

We actually like the Kann Vios stones best, we would also like to have one color tone throughout. Of course, they are not cheap. Is the surcharge compared to cheaper paving stones justified or do they not look good after a few years anyway?

The stones are offered at a net price of 47.20 plus installation.

Also offered is rcl 0-32 gravel at 28.56 per ton and the installation at 26.81 euros per sqm.
Are the prices reasonable?

In addition, there are curbstones etc. but for now, I am mainly concerned with the prices mentioned and I would like to ask for an assessment, thanks in advance!

Which area is being referred to here? Depending on the size and intended use, laying different shades is also an option, e.g. framing a parking space/ a flower bed etc. with darker stones. In my opinion, this looks better than a single color from a certain size onwards. Or are there reasons why only a single color is desired? Light stones can glare in full sun, darker stones heat up more. Over time, the paving stones really become darker (unless they are cleaned constantly).

It

What area is this about?
Depending on the size and planned use, it also makes sense to lay different shades, for example framing a parking space/ a planting bed etc. with darker stones.
In my opinion, from a certain size onwards, this looks better than a single color.
Or are there reasons why only a single color is desired?
Light stones can glare in full sun, darker stones heat up more.
Over time, the paving stones really get darker (unless you clean them constantly)

It’s about approximately 75-80 sqm

What area is this about?
Depending on the size and planned use, it also makes sense to lay different shades, for example framing a parking space/ a planting bed etc. with darker stones.
In my opinion, from a certain size onwards, this looks better than a single color.
Or are there reasons why only a single color is desired?
Light stones can glare in full sun, darker stones heat up more.
Over time, the paving stones really get darker (unless you clean them constantly)

Thanks first of all for the answer.

My wife prefers one color better.

Is it better in the long term to go for anthracite now instead of light gray?

Gladly!
Ask your landscaper for references, so you can realistically see the laid stones.
Also hopefully how the desired stone looks on a larger area ([80sqm] is already quite large, in my opinion).
On the internet, manufacturers also have examples of paved areas if you are looking for inspiration.

We originally wanted light gray and after on-site inspections decided on two different anthracite shades. The stones have now been in place for several years and have developed a nice patina without pressure washing.
I have no experience with non-brand pavers, but I would think that laying them is the most expensive part and therefore it’s not worth saving on the stones themselves.

Regarding price comparison: simply get 2-3 offers and compare thoroughly. We chose the most expensive provider because he said he would quote the worst-case scenario due to the subsoil, and if it turned out easier, the bill would be cheaper. We found that more honest than the opposite. They were all local specialist companies, and we had already commissioned one of them in our garden before. The guys worked very well and quickly; we were and still are very satisfied.
It does you no good if someone 500 km away has a cheaper offer.

To the question to our garden and landscaping contractor about which stones still look good after 10 and 20 years, he recommended these with gravel as the top layer. Two-colored and random pattern, all concrete stones look gray and dirty after 10-50 years

(...) I have no experience with non-brand pavers, but I would think that the installation is the most expensive part and therefore you shouldn't save on the stones. (...)

It says there that the installation itself costs 27 EUR/m², the stones are supposed to cost 47 EUR/m² net. In addition, there is gravel and grit, but you need those anyway, even with cheaper pavers...

I would (and will) lay pavers that I like. If you also like anthracite, then take that, because it is probably actually easier to maintain. But it has the disadvantage that the stuff glows in high summer and heats up the already warm air even more...

The question is also what fits better with the rest. I have a yellow house, so I will lay pavers in sandstone, beige, something like that. If I have to power wash it every few months, then so be it.

Under no circumstances should you choose pavers "because they are easier to maintain and still look good in 125 years" if you don't really like them. Who knows what will happen in 10 years. But at least you had 10 years of joy with your beautiful pavers in your preferred color.

You know how it is. "When I’m retired, I’ll travel the world, I’m already saving every cent!" And suddenly, you get sick and can’t do it all anymore... if you want something, then do it now, don’t postpone or think about the world in 20 years. Especially not with something like pavers...