Is it normal to see puddles after a contractor installs drainage?

No. Water lingering more than 24 hours signals grading or system problems. First, confirm slope: surfaces should fall about 2% away from structures. Next, check for clogs in catch basins, emitter holes, or pipe runs, and verify that the outlet daylights and flows freely. In clay soils common here, undersized systems or flat pipe runs are frequent culprits. Ask your contractor to laser-check grades, snake lines if needed, and, if capacity is short, add components such as additional basins, a dry well, or a steeper outlet. Document before/after rain events with photos to guide fixes. Properly designed drainage moves water off-site or to a safe discharge point without ponding.