What you need to do before you dig

Building a patio starts with three things you must do before any digging: check what's underground, understand your local rules, and decide what size and shape will actually work in your space. Call 811 or your local utility locating service at least three days before you start — they mark gas lines, water pipes, and electrical cables for free. This step is not optional; hitting a gas line can kill you.

Next, contact your city or county building department to ask whether your patio needs a permit. Most jurisdictions require one if the patio is larger than 200 square feet or if you're building on a slope. Some require permits for any permanent structure. The cost is usually between $50 and $300, and the process takes one to three weeks. Skipping this step can result in fines or a requirement to tear down what you built.

Finally, measure your space and sketch what you want. Mark where the patio will sit, how big it will be, and whether it needs to slope for water drainage. A patio should slope about one-eighth inch per foot away from your house so water doesn't pool or run toward your foundation.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 811 to have utilities marked before you dig, and wait at least three days for the marking crew to arrive.
  • Check with your local building department about permit requirements; most patios over 200 square feet need one.
  • Prepare the ground by removing grass and soil to a depth of four to six inches, then compact the base layer firmly.
  • Lay pavers, concrete, or stone in a pattern that slopes slightly away from your house to shed water.
  • Seal or grout the finished surface to prevent weeds and extend the life of your materials.

Preparing the ground and base layers

Once utilities are marked and permits are in hand, remove the grass and topsoil from your patio area. Dig down four to six inches — this is where your base layers will go. Use a shovel or rent a small excavator if the area is large. Haul away the soil or use it elsewhere in your yard.

Lay down landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing up through your patio. Then add a base layer of crushed stone or gravel, about four inches deep. Compact this layer firmly with a hand tamper or plate compactor (you can rent one for $40 to $80 per day). A loose base will cause your patio to settle unevenly and crack. Spray the gravel lightly with water as you compact — this helps the stones lock together.

If you're building on clay soil or in an area with poor drainage, add a second layer of sand, about one inch deep, on top of the gravel. Compact this as well. The sand layer helps with drainage and gives you a level surface to set pavers on.

Choosing and laying your patio surface

Concrete is the cheapest option, costing $4 to $15 per square foot installed. It's durable and low-maintenance, but it cracks over time and can look plain. Concrete patios last 25 to 30 years if sealed every two to three years.

Pavers (brick, stone, or permeable plastic) cost $8 to $25 per square foot installed. They look better than concrete, are easier to repair because you replace individual units rather than the whole surface, and they allow water to drain through. Pavers last 20 to 25 years. Lay them in a running bond, herringbone, or basket weave pattern, leaving a quarter-inch gap between each one.

Natural stone (flagstone, slate, or bluestone) costs $15 to $30 per square foot installed. It's the most attractive option but requires more skill to lay because stones vary in thickness. Natural stone lasts 30 to 40 years.

Whatever material you choose, use a level to check your work as you go. The patio should slope one-eighth inch per foot away from your house. Lay your material in sections, checking the slope every few feet with a four-foot level.

Finishing the joints and edges

Once your surface is laid, you need to fill the gaps between pavers or seal concrete. For pavers, use polymeric sand — it hardens when wet and locks the pavers in place while allowing some water drainage. Sweep it into the joints, mist it with water, and let it cure for 24 hours. Polymeric sand costs $20 to $50 per 50-pound bag and covers about 50 to 100 square feet depending on joint width.

For concrete, explore a concrete sealer every two to three years to prevent staining and water damage. Sealers cost $30 to $100 per gallon and cover 250 to 400 square feet per gallon. Clean the concrete first, let it dry completely, and explore the sealer with a roller or sprayer.

Edge the patio with a border of pavers, stone, or metal edging to keep the material from spreading. Metal edging costs $1 to $3 per linear foot and is the easiest to install — just stake it into the ground around the perimeter.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is skipping the base layer or not compacting it enough. A loose base causes the patio to settle unevenly, creating trip hazards and allowing water to pool. Spend time on this step — it's invisible but critical.

The second mistake is not sloping the patio for drainage. Water that sits on your patio will freeze in winter, crack the surface, and damage your foundation. Use a level to check the slope as you work.

The third mistake is choosing the wrong material for your climate. In areas with freeze-thaw cycles, concrete and stone can crack. Permeable pavers handle this better because water drains through rather than sitting on top. If you live in a cold climate, ask your local building department which materials hold up best in your area.

Finally, don't skip the permit. A building inspector will check that your patio is sloped correctly, that the base is adequate, and that it doesn't violate setback rules (distance from property lines). This inspection protects you and your neighbors.

Maintenance to keep your patio lasting

Concrete patios need sealing every two to three years and should be cleaned annually with a pressure washer set to 3000 PSI or less (higher pressure damages the surface). Avoid salt-based de-icers in winter; use sand or calcium chloride instead.

Paver patios need weeding between joints and occasional re-sanding if the polymeric sand washes out. Pressure wash them once a year at 2500 PSI or less. If a paver cracks or settles, you can remove and replace just that one stone without affecting the rest.

Natural stone patios should be sealed annually and cleaned with a soft brush and mild soap. Avoid acidic cleaners, which etch the stone. Reseal every one to two years depending on the stone type and your climate.

When to hire a professional instead

If your yard has a steep slope, poor drainage, or complex utilities running underneath, hire a contractor. A sloped or wet site requires grading and drainage work that's straightforward to get wrong. If you're laying more than 500 square feet, renting equipment and doing the work yourself may cost nearly as much as hiring someone, and a professional will finish in days instead of weeks.

Get three quotes from licensed contractors in your area. Ask whether they pull permits, what warranty they offer, and whether they handle cleanup. A typical patio costs $2,000 to $8,000 installed, depending on size and material. Check references and verify they're insured before you sign a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a small patio?

Most jurisdictions require a permit for patios over 200 square feet, but some require one for any permanent structure. Call your local building department to ask — they can tell you in one call whether you need one. The cost is usually $50 to $300 and takes one to three weeks.

How long does it take to build a patio?

A small patio (100 to 200 square feet) takes a weekend if you're laying pavers or concrete. A larger patio takes one to two weeks. Most of the time is spent preparing the base — the actual surface installation is faster. Concrete needs to cure for seven days before you use it.

What's the cheapest patio material?

Concrete is the cheapest at $4 to $15 per square foot installed. Pavers cost $8 to $25 per square foot, and natural stone costs $15 to $30 per square foot. Concrete is durable but plain-looking and cracks over time. Pavers are easier to repair and look better.

Can I build a patio on a slope?

Yes, but it requires more work. You'll need to level the ground or build retaining walls, and you must slope the surface for drainage. If the slope is steep (more than 10 percent), hire a contractor — grading mistakes can cause water damage to your house or neighbors' properties.

How often do I need to seal my patio?

Concrete patios need sealing every two to three years. Natural stone needs sealing every one to two years depending on the type. Paver patios don't need sealing but do need occasional weeding and re-sanding. Sealing costs $30 to $100 per gallon and covers 250 to 400 square feet.