DIY Guide

How to lay a paver patio

A paver patio only lasts if the base is right. This guide walks through excavation, a compacted gravel base, a screeded sand bed, and proper joint sand. Budget roughly $5–$15 per square foot in materials.

Overview

Most failed paver patios fail because the base wasn't compacted or deep enough. The formula is simple: a solid gravel base, a level sand bed, pavers laid in a pattern, edge restraints, and sand swept into the joints. A typical 200 sq ft patio takes 2–4 days.

Before you dig: call your local utility locator service to mark underground lines — it's free and required in most areas.

Step 1: Plan and mark the layout

Mark the patio outline with string and stakes. Slope the surface away from the house about 1–2% (roughly 1–2 in of fall per 10 ft) so water drains off. Decide on a paver pattern — simple running bond is easiest for beginners.

Step 2: Excavate

Dig out the area to a depth of about 6–8 in total: 4–6 in for gravel base, 1 in for sand, plus the paver thickness (usually 2–2.4 in for standard pavers). Keep the excavation edges clean and level with the planned slope.

Step 3: Add and compact the gravel base

Fill with crushed gravel in 2–3 in layers, compacting each layer with a plate compactor. Estimate the total volume with the gravel calculator — it includes waste so you order enough. A well-compacted base is the single most important step.

Base cross-section, bottom to top: compacted subgrade, 4–6 in of gravel, 1 in of sand, then pavers with joint sand swept in.

Step 4: Screed the sand bed

Set two straight screed rails (2x4s) to the correct slope, pour in paver sand, and pull a flat board across them to create a smooth, level bed. Use the sand calculator to estimate the amount. Don't compact the sand — you want pavers to settle into it.

Step 5: Lay the pavers

Lay pavers starting from a corner, working in the pattern you chose. Tap each paver down with a rubber mallet. Use the paver calculator to estimate how many you need, including a 10% waste allowance for cuts and breakage.

Step 6: Compact and edge

Run the plate compactor over the finished surface, then install plastic or aluminum edge restraints around the perimeter and stake them firmly. Edging keeps the pavers from creeping outward.

Step 7: Sweep in joint sand

Spread paver sand over the surface and sweep it into the joints with a broom, then compact once more and sweep any remaining sand away. Add more sand over the next few weeks as joints settle.

Cost and time

Materials: $5–$15 per sq ft for pavers, base, sand, and edging.
Time: 2–4 days for a 200 sq ft patio.
Tools: plate compactor (rentable), shovel, rake, level, rubber mallet, screed boards.

Tips for a patio that lasts

Compact in thin layers — thick lifts don't compact properly.
Keep the sand bed about 3/4 of the paver thickness plus 1 in deep so pavers sit slightly proud.
Seal the patio after a month to resist weeds and staining (optional).
Power-wash stains, but avoid jetting the sand out of the joints.

Disclaimer

This guide is general information. Base depth, drainage, and freeze conditions vary by region. Have underground utilities located before digging, and consider a professional for large or sloped patios.