DIY patio

[Anonymous]

A couple of options (I've done both):

- You can do a ground level, floating deck. You can buy concrete deck blocks at HD/Lowes: you only need to dig holes for the blocks, fill with paver base, compress with a hand tamper, then build the deck structure with ground-treated 2x6 joists and hangers (you can get ground treated 2x lumber at specialty lumber stores like Tart's). I did a 20x15 deck, and used Timbertech decking: looked great, and required no permits as long as you're not tying it to a ledger board (which you DON'T want to do). We added deck lighting, which really made it pop. No need for handrails with such a low deck (we excavated a few high spots underneath to get it as low as possible). Just make sure you cover all gaps to keep critters out from underneath (we never had a problem).

- Paver patio. Cheaper, but more work, as the materials weigh a lot more and you have to excavate the entire area. Others are right that the hardest part is all the digging / dumping of the dirt; we used ours to regrade other parts of our property. You'll get a fantastic work out with all the physical labor. We filled our joints with polymeric sand. Had to do a low retaining wall at one end because of property slope, but it has held up fine for 4 years now.

The deck option was much more expensive (the hidden stainless steel fasteners alone were over $1k), and we did have some issues with the composite fading, but was much less work. Paver patio was cheaper, but harder work. Wear thick gloves!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I literally just took on this project today! I am a single mom with two kids 10 & 12. We’ve measured the space, purchased materials, and plan to start digging tomorrow. I’ve watched tons of YouTube videos and I am willing to try and see how it goes before spending the estimated $6k that was quoted to me for a 10x12 space. I’ve spent $300 so far and anticipate spending at least another $200-300. If it goes well I save over $4k and if it doesn’t I love $600 small price to pay. Very very high level video of the process that I am using linked below:

https://youtu.be/JutlQlD-fsY

I’ll report back on the outcome. I say try it! Good luck OP!

How did it go??

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I literally just took on this project today! I am a single mom with two kids 10 & 12. We’ve measured the space, purchased materials, and plan to start digging tomorrow. I’ve watched tons of YouTube videos and I am willing to try and see how it goes before spending the estimated $6k that was quoted to me for a 10x12 space. I’ve spent $300 so far and anticipate spending at least another $200-300. If it goes well I save over $4k and if it doesn’t I love $600 small price to pay. Very very high level video of the process that I am using linked below:

https://youtu.be/JutlQlD-fsY

I’ll report back on the outcome. I say try it! Good luck OP![/quote]

How did it go?? [/quote]

Sooo the project is still going. I may have, just a little, underestimated the amount of work involved. Quick update: I’ve decided to go with standard brick pavers similar to this style [img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cd/55/d1/cd55d1bbed465973144476f12296921c.jpg[/img]
I plan to use the same pattern - if I can cut the bricks otherwise I will use an easy block pattern- for a 11x10 patio, 3ft walk path, and doormat.

Approx cost so far:
So far I’ve purchased
Sand 40 bags * $4 =$160
Bricks 590* $.25 = $148
Brock paver panels 24 *$12.50 = $300 used in lieu of gravel
Landscape fabric 2*$12 = $24
Edgers to hold pavers 7* $7 = $49
Spikes for edgers 1* $7 = $7
Tamper to compact sand $20
1inch PVC pipes 3* $6 =18
Stone removal (needed help to love old stones) $55
2x4 board $0 (already had)
Tools: shovel, mallet, rake, leveler, measuring tape, scissors

Progress:
Removed old stones
Outlined yard, dug down 2inches, places fabric May to control weeds
Poured sand and leveled the foundation- this took ~4 hours

Next step: lay pavers!

Suggestions: rent the compactor no matter how small you think your yard is this will save you time and ensure a flat sturdy foundation. Get help to level the yard, purchase extra sand to prevent project delays, lay your paver panel pattern, and identify a space to toss excess dirt.

[Anonymous]

PP is the patio done? We want a full report!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP is the patio done? We want a full report!

Happy to report that the patio is done! I work full time so the project has taken longer than anticipated. I am finalizing the doormat in front of my utility room and small path to the patio. I have received tons of compliments on my patio - it looks lovely and better than I expected. My only concern is my amateur DIY skills... I used too much sand. From what I’ve read you should aim to have no more than 2 inch of sand; I used 4-5inches in some places because the patio was not leveled in certain spots. I used concrete to form a thin boarder to control the sand. My kids placed to their handprints in the concrete with their initials ? sooo cute but mama is tired. Back to my concern about the sand. Using too much sand can lead to poor settling later if the sand is not properly compacted - I weigh 156lbs I’m sure I did not compact the sand as good as I could have done with a machine. The patio works for now. We can enjoy the yard. I will save up for a replacement patio but hopefully the patio is fine and I can use the savings elsewhere. Tip to avoid cutting the pavers, I suggest you lay out a simple design on the paver panels. The design will also help to determine how many panels are needed to create your desired space and helps with determine how many bricks are needed. Of course, there are other ways to determine how many bricks to use - simple math - but this helps with visualizing the design and makes it a lot easier! Good luck if you decide to DIY your patio. Don’t forget to rent the compactor machine. Unless your goal is to lose 5lbs - I did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP is the patio done? We want a full report!

Happy to report that the patio is done! I work full time so the project has taken longer than anticipated. I am finalizing the doormat in front of my utility room and small path to the patio. I have received tons of compliments on my patio - it looks lovely and better than I expected. My only concern is my amateur DIY skills... I used too much sand. From what I’ve read you should aim to have no more than 2 inch of sand; I used 4-5inches in some places because the patio was not leveled in certain spots. I used concrete to form a thin boarder to control the sand. My kids placed to their handprints in the concrete with their initials ? sooo cute but mama is tired. Back to my concern about the sand. Using too much sand can lead to poor settling later if the sand is not properly compacted - I weigh 156lbs I’m sure I did not compact the sand as good as I could have done with a machine. The patio works for now. We can enjoy the yard. I will save up for a replacement patio but hopefully the patio is fine and I can use the savings elsewhere. Tip to avoid cutting the pavers, I suggest you lay out a simple design on the paver panels. The design will also help to determine how many panels are needed to create your desired space and helps with determine how many bricks are needed. Of course, there are other ways to determine how many bricks to use - simple math - but this helps with visualizing the design and makes it a lot easier! Good luck if you decide to DIY your patio. Don’t forget to rent the compactor machine. Unless your goal is to lose 5lbs - I did.

Your patio sounds lovely! I did a patio with concrete pavers on my own many years ago, because I remembered my mom (who was a single mom like you) building a brick patio when I was a kid. You have given your kids a great thing by doing this on your own!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP is the patio done? We want a full report!

Happy to report that the patio is done! I work full time so the project has taken longer than anticipated. I am finalizing the doormat in front of my utility room and small path to the patio. I have received tons of compliments on my patio - it looks lovely and better than I expected. My only concern is my amateur DIY skills... I used too much sand. From what I’ve read you should aim to have no more than 2 inch of sand; I used 4-5inches in some places because the patio was not leveled in certain spots. I used concrete to form a thin boarder to control the sand. My kids placed to their handprints in the concrete with their initials ? sooo cute but mama is tired. Back to my concern about the sand. Using too much sand can lead to poor settling later if the sand is not properly compacted - I weigh 156lbs I’m sure I did not compact the sand as good as I could have done with a machine. The patio works for now. We can enjoy the yard. I will save up for a replacement patio but hopefully the patio is fine and I can use the savings elsewhere. Tip to avoid cutting the pavers, I suggest you lay out a simple design on the paver panels. The design will also help to determine how many panels are needed to create your desired space and helps with determine how many bricks are needed. Of course, there are other ways to determine how many bricks to use - simple math - but this helps with visualizing the design and makes it a lot easier! Good luck if you decide to DIY your patio. Don’t forget to rent the compactor machine. Unless your goal is to lose 5lbs - I did.

Your patio sounds lovely! I did a patio with concrete pavers on my own many years ago, because I remembered my mom (who was a single mom like you) building a brick patio when I was a kid. You have given your kids a great thing by doing this on your own!

Thank you! That is wonderful to hear. I hope they cherish the memory too