How to Lay a Paver Patio
A paver patio is the most forgiving hardscape project — no concrete to rush, and mistakes can be lifted and reset. The whole job lives or dies on a deep, compacted gravel base. Work through the steps below and tap “Add to my materials list” as you go.
1Plan the layout and slope
Lay the patio out with stakes and paint, and plan a 1⁄4”-per-foot slope away from the house for drainage. Your total dig depth = compacted base + 1” bedding sand + paver thickness — about 6–8” for a patio.
2Excavate the area
Dig down 6–8”, extending about 6” beyond the paver field for edge support, then compact the exposed soil. Over heavy clay, lay geotextile fabric so the gravel can’t sink into the soil. The calculator gives the dirt to dig and haul.
3Build and compact the gravel base
Spread crushed gravel base and compact it in 2–3” lifts to a finished 4–6” for a patio (more for a driveway). This is the step everyone shortcuts and regrets — it’s ~80% of the job. The calculator gives base gravel by the ton or yard.
4Set edge restraints and screed the sand
Spike plastic or metal edge restraints around the whole perimeter, then screed exactly 1” of coarse bedding sand flat over screed pipes. Don’t compact or walk on the sand after screeding.
5Lay the pavers
Set pavers by “click and drop” (place straight down, never drag), keeping tight, consistent ~1⁄8” joints, then cut the border pieces to fit. The calculator returns paver count plus bedding and joint sand.
6Compact and lock the joints
Sweep polymeric joint sand across the surface, run a plate compactor (with a pad) over the pavers in two passes to seat them and vibrate sand into the joints, top off, then mist with water to set the sand.