Making a Patio
Do any of you have advice on this? I would like to make a patio in the part of the back garden that is closest to the house. I got an estimate that was so high, I thought I’m better off doing it myself. Of course I’ve never done anything similar – have any of…
Do any of you have advice on this? I would like to make a patio in the part of the back garden that is closest to the house. I got an estimate that was so high, I thought I’m better off doing it myself. Of course I’ve never done anything similar – have any of you done it? Is it really difficult?
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
if you are looking for a second opinion on the garden, feel free to contact me. I run a small design studio, but I also have extensive landscape construction experience, and would have no problem sharing some advice pro bono in the neighborhood.
If you dig, you might find all your pavers. That’s what happened to us.
Thanks a lot! I assume I don’t have to dig as long as I’m happy having the patio level higher as a result of the layers of gravel, sand and pavers/stone, right?
6-8 Inches needs to be removed and backfilled with gravel and then at least 2″ sand to set the pavers in. Just be aware 6-8″ of soil can translate into a huge amount over 100 sq. feet, so you may need to arrange a dumpster or other means of hauling it away.
Thanks all. I think I will give it a try. Worst case scenario, the materials will be in and I’ll have to hire someone.
How much do I need to dig? Or rather, how many layers of gravel/sand do I need, and how thick should they be?
Thanks so much!
Forgot to add – we bought crushed stones and stonedust from Kings Materials in Brooklyn, very inexpensively. It’s included in my cost estimate in my previous post.
I agree that it is hard work, especially digging and bagging the soil, but the savings are substantial, so it’s sweat equity vs. expensive professional work. We bought random size PA-Bluestone 1 1/2 inch thick from the Stone Center in Bridgeport N.J for $4 per sf. They have all kind of stones and finishes which they show on their website under “pattern Flagstone” (we got the natural cleft).
They get you with the delivery charge.
Your estimate of $1000 would be about right if you need delivery, otherwise I would guess about $600.
The work is tough but the savings are great and the outcome is beautiful. Good luck
we did a 30X15 Blue stone patio last year. Decent blue stone will run about $5-$6 per square foot at least. THe other materials like sand and gravel will be a few hundred for each, but remember you have to remove soil, and transport the materials as well as install. Our entire patio, including edging work, gravel beds and stone ran about $11,000 including labor. I am so glad I did not have to deal with it myself as it was an incredible task to dig and haul away yards of dirt, bring in all of the material and lay the pavers.
Thanks.
I need to cover the floor (which is about 12″ below where I expect it to be) with some layers of gravel/sand before laying pavers or stone. I looked at using stone, and the quote for a 10 x 10 space came at 5,000. I have no idea if that figure reflects the cost or not, as I’ve never done this work myself that it is a lot more than I want to spend. I figure the materials would be no more than 1,000. Am I wrong?
Arkady, how deep do you think I need to dig? The current floor level is about 1.5 to 2 feet from the door that leads to the garden. I have a drain in the center of the garden and it’s all pitched towards the drain already, but I could elevate the area where I want the patio, as I currently have climb two steps (about 20″) to go from the garden into the house.
Also I don’t have a cellar underneath – this may be totally irelevant but suggests to me I could dig as much as I need.
Thanks!