Patio Daddy-o!

With spring just around the corner, Paul and I thought we'd start thinking about plans for the new patio we've dreamed of for so long.  Paul contacted a few landscape contractors to discuss our options for materials, pricing, timeline, etc. 

We decided we wanted to go with a cement cobblestone in a herringbone pattern.  There are a number of companies (Ideal and Belguard to name a few) that make these relatively inexpensive pavers and they come in several shapes/sizes as well as a number of color options.  Several companies also offer a tumbled stone version of the basic paver (slightly more expensive).  We opted for a brown/gray paver in the basic (non-tumbled) version mostly because we read that the tumbled version tend to promote weed infestation where the tumbled corners meet.

After meeting with a few landscape contractors, we opted to go with a local company that offered us a pre-season deal.  Landscape contractors tend to be busiest in the spring/summer months so many will offer specials rates in the off-season so be sure to ask for winter specials if you're thinking about putting in a driveway or patio yourself.  And, as fate would have it, we had both just received our tax returns the week prior so we decided to put the money to good use.

We had a unique situation in that our side yard is difficult to access and therefore the materials needed to be unloaded in the front of our yard and then wheeled in using wheelbarrows to the side yard.  To our surprise, the crew made quick work of the tedious task and had our patio complete in about 3 days!  See below for some before and after shots...It's amazing to think that just last week it was a big mound of dirt and dead weeds!

Before

During

After

While we were at it we decided to replace the crumbling concrete steps leading to our front door with new granite steps.  See those before and after shots below.

Before

After

Comments

[Aimee]

Very nice! I love the color it is too! We are planning something for our back door, maybe we'll do what you did! :)

[Daddy O Needs A Patio]

Hey! looks great. Now if I just trusted any landscaper around here.... too many of them are my clients.

[Cheryl]

Wow, this looks great! I'm feeling newly inspired to do something with our shabby paved "backyard." Unfortunately, we have a condo association to deal with!