Pro-tip: put landscape fabric underneath the gravel if you're confident the patio will be there long term. Will greatly reduce the number of weeds that try to pop up.

I dug my own patio and filled it with gravel, sand and topped it off with interlocking squares from IKEA. The hardest part was the digging. If you don't care if it is raised several inches, I would build a square frame with lumber and then fill with gravel and top with sand. You drag a long piece of wood across to level it then top off with the interlocking pavers. Last step is staining. Can be done in a weekend if you bypass the digging.

Look at Lowes or Home Depot for tips. Have them deliver the supplies to you.

No.

If you find a good how-to, please post.

Yes, we've done both and no big deal. Do not listen to those who say no. There are plenty of articles and youtube videos to help. It may not look perfect, but for the price difference it is worth it. Some materials are very expensive though.

A simple square paver patio dry set (ie, on sand or dirt, but not concrete) is very easy, although labor intensive. Mark out the square you'll use with stakes. Dig out ~4" within the square and use 1"x6" boards to form a square "ring" around the edges. Fill with a couple inches of gravel, then an inch of sand, then place square pavers on top. Spread more sand (or topsoil if you want to try planting between stones) in the gaps. Remove square frame and fill area with excavated topsoil. Voila.

Deck-no, patio- maybe. I would just plop a picnic table in the yard and move on with my life, but that is because our patio is a weedy eyesore and I hate it.

OP again. I was totally shocked by the cost of decks. The patio would not be raised and would not be against the house. We have this super-level square of yard that's about 20' from the house and that's where I was planning on putting it. Better Homes & Gardens claims this is a simple one-day job that "even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer can install." I just went through spending lots of money on fixing up our kitchen so I don't have much money to have a fancy patio - $6k is too much for me right now. Other option is just plopping down a table and chairs on the grass, I guess.

We do need new stairs, but that's a whole other story and I would definitely hire someone for that.

You could mess up the grading of your landscape if you do it wrong and cause flooding.

But yeah it can be DIYed. DH and I plan on DIYing our lower patio. We're skilled, can watch youtube videos and figure we're as smart as the average bear. lol Most of the work is time consuming so that's why the labor is high. And raw materials are costly. Lumber isn't cheap.

No.

Hell no.

I am very handy, can build small things like raised beds, repair things around the house, hardwire lights etc. and I would not DREAM of trying to build a deck or patio.

No.

Do not DIY. Hire someone. Ask neighbors or poll your list servs. You should be able to do a properly installed slate patio in stone dust for $5-6k.

First of all, that is an insane price for a small deck. If you just want basic pressure treated lumber, you should shop around. (My best guess is $5k-$6k.)

In my old house, I put down a bunch of these 16" square pavers and it made a pretty nice patio in the back. A smart person would use sand to level everything but I just tossed them down and they did the job. They are pretty heavy, you'll have to carry them one by one.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-16-in-x-16-in-Red-Brickface-Concrete-Step-Stone-72661/100333091

The other big question is if you need any stairs going from the house to the patio. If you do, a handyman could probably build you some pretty cheaply.

Patio or deck? (eg, will it be raised?)

We have a huge yard but no outdoor seating area. I looked into adding a deck and was shocked at the cost (minimum quote I got was $15k, and this was for a deck that would barely fit a table and four chairs!!). So now I'm thinking of doing a simple patio. I've been looking online and having trouble figuring out who to hire for a simple patio, and I keep coming across articles saying how easy they are to do yourself.

I am willing to give it the college try, but I am not handy and putting down wood flooring with my husband made him kind of insane at my lack of innate handiness. I could try this by myself, but would this be a terrible idea? If it is, any ideas on who to hire? I just want a simple 10x10 patio with whatever material is easy and not insanely expensive.