Ask three contractors what a paver patio costs and you will get three very different answers. Part of the reason is that no two yards are alike. The other part is that two estimates for the same patio can describe two very different builds. We do not quote a price per square foot online, because the same square foot can cost very different amounts depending on what is underneath it and around it. What we can do is show you what drives the price.
The factors that move the price
- Size and shape. Curves, angles and cuts add labor and material.
- What is there today. Removing and hauling away concrete, grass or old pavers is part of the job, and thick concrete takes longer than sod.
- Foot traffic or vehicles. A driveway is excavated 10 inches and built on a 7-inch base, compared with 8 and 5 inches for a patio, so it takes more digging, more base rock and more hauling.
- Access. If equipment can reach the work area, the job moves faster than when everything has to be carried by hand.
- Site conditions. Slopes, drainage needs, soft or clay soil, steps and retaining walls all add work.
- The pavers. Brand, size, color and texture vary in price, and premium lines cost more.
- Extras. Borders, inlays, seat walls, lighting, a pergola or turf beside the patio are added to the scope.
Why the base is where the money goes
Most of what you pay for is invisible: excavation, hauling, geotextile, tons of base rock and compaction in layers. It is also what decides whether the patio looks the same in ten years. When one bid comes in far below the others, the savings often come from exactly this part of the job, by digging less, laying a thinner base or skipping the layer-by-layer compaction.
How to compare estimates
Put the estimates side by side and ask each contractor the same questions:
- How deep will you excavate for foot traffic, and for vehicles?
- What base material and thickness will you use, and is it compacted in layers? ICPI calls for 98% of standard Proctor density.
- Is a geotextile included?
- How is the edge restrained, and what is the border set on?
- Which joint sand will you use? Polymeric sand helps lock the pavers together.
- Does the price include demolition and hauling of the old surface?
- What is the contractor's license number? You can look it up on the California State License Board website, and ask about bond and insurance too.
How our estimate works
We visit the property, listen to your ideas, take measurements and photographs, and then our team puts together a clear, personalized estimate. It is free, and it tells you what is included before you sign anything. If you would like to compare it with another bid, we are glad to go through the differences with you.
