The base is the whole job
Almost every failed patio around here failed the same way: pavers laid on a few inches of loose screenings. Looks great for two summers, then the low corner starts holding water and the edges wander.
We dig it out — six to eight inches of crushed stone, compacted in lifts, pitched to drain away from your foundation. It's the least photogenic part of the project and the only part that decides whether you're calling somebody in five years.
- Compacted stone base, built in lifts
- Pitched about ¼" per foot so water leaves
- Saw-cut borders and edge restraint that holds
Pavers or flagstone?
Pavers are consistent, faster to install, easier to repair, and cost less per square foot — a strong fit for newer homes.
Flagstone is irregular and hand-cut, so it takes longer and costs more. On older homes and stone-fronted houses, it's usually worth it.
What it costs
Most patios land between $2,000 and $25,000.
We won't fake a number over text — access, grade and tear-out change everything. But you shouldn't walk in blind either.
- Small walkways and landings sit at the low end
- Slope, tear-out and tight access push it up
- Material choice moves it either direction
Patio questions we get
How much does a paver patio cost in Gastonia?
Most of our patios land between $2,000 and $25,000. A small landing or walkway sits at the low end; a large patio with steps, a slope to deal with or an old slab to tear out sits higher. After a free visit you get an exact, itemized number — no guessing over text.
Is a paver patio better than poured concrete?
Concrete costs less up front, but a slab cracks as one piece and can't be patched invisibly. Pavers flex with the ground, individual pieces can be lifted and reset, and you get far more choice in color, pattern and border. For a patio you plan to keep, pavers usually win.
How long does a paver patio last?
Built on a properly compacted base, decades. Nearly every failed patio we're called to look at failed underneath — a few inches of loose screenings instead of six to eight inches of crushed stone compacted in lifts. The pavers themselves rarely wear out.
Can you build a patio on a sloped yard?
Yes — most yards around Gastonia have some grade. We either cut the patio into the slope with a retaining or seating wall on the high side, or step it down in levels. Either way it's pitched so water runs away from your house.
How long does a patio install take?
Most patios take a few days to about a week on site, depending on size, access, digging and weather. You get the schedule with your estimate, and we show up on the day we said.