Patio self install

mudwrx

The previous owners of our house really neglected the back yard. We've been cleaning it up and making it to our liking since we moved in a couple of years ago. One issue was an old, beat up shed with a horrible brick patio in front of it. They also had some ugly cement pavers in there as a walk way or something.

They never took care of any of it and let it get overgrown and upturned. So I knocked down the shed and ripped out all the old stones and bricks. This led us to thinking we would like a nice area for our fire pit table and chairs. So I started to research installing patios. I decided I would take this project on myself and save some money, but more than that, I just wanted to see if I could do it. Before we bought our house I could barely turn a screwdriver. It is amazing since then how much I have learned and how many tools I own now!

So after picking out the pavers we wanted and lots of research, I started this project. I ended up doing the entire project alone. I would not let my wife help, as she is 6 months pregnant with our first child. And I did not want to wait for others schedules to line up, as I wanted to get moving on it.

Attached are two PDF's to keep file size down, since there are too many pictures to attach separately. I wanted to share in case anyone else is thinking of doing something like this. I would tell you "if I could do it, anyone can", but that is really not the case. If "anyone" was willing to put in all the effort, time and hard work, then they can do it. Point being, it can be done but be prepared to bust hump.

This was not a terribly large patio, but a good learning experience. It gives me confidence and some knowledge to do a much larger one next year. However, I will get help for that one...

polk500

Good Day Mud,
I must say good job and a great write up. You should be proud of the job you guys did.
Cheers Roger

disneyjoe7

Looks like a lot of work, but looks great too me also. Very nice upgrade.

Willow

Nicely done! good for you even more so considering what you said earlier about having little know how

seeclear

Wow, that really looks great, and I know that is a lot of work. My back aches just looking at it. You should be proud of your accomplishment.

decal

DIYing makes you feel good, doesn't it? Great job.

warren

Looks great!! You and family, will have a place to be proud of for many years to come!! Keep learning..

steveinaz

Great job, you've got lots of patience!

thsmith

Very Nice !

unc2701

Damn! The bit using the leveled conduit for screeding the sand is genius! Can't tell you how many times I've free-handed it with a level on the 2x4 and have to restart about 20 times before I got it right.

mudwrx

unc2701 wrote: »

Damn! The bit using the leveled conduit for screeding the sand is genius! Can't tell you how many times I've free-handed it with a level on the 2x4 and have to restart about 20 times before I got it right.

I can't take credit for that idea. I simply watched many videos and read as many guides as I could beforehand, and most of them tell you to do something like that for the sand. I do agree, it is a great idea and makes that part pretty simple.

Thanks to the others for the kind words. My next project is to try installing lattice work under our deck we just had put in. Again, never tried this before but I will research it and give it a shot. Certainly never a lack of projects to take care of...

steveinaz

You're a brave soul, I always get nervous with trying to level an area that big.

mister pig

Nicely done! I need to do a small patio and fire pit in our yard. Will look closely at how you put that together.

Regards
Mister Pig

unc2701

The lattice will be a piece of cake after that. Looks great and good luck with future projects!

mudwrx

mister pig wrote: »

Nicely done! I need to do a small patio and fire pit in our yard. Will look closely at how you put that together.

Regards
Mister Pig

Feel free to private message if you have any questions. I'm no expert, but certainly learned a lot.

Shizelbs

Looks great. You said in your write up that its not perfect. It looks perfect.

mudwrx

Shizelbs wrote: »

Looks great. You said in your write up that its not perfect. It looks perfect.

Thanks. Well, let's just say I certainly know where the mistakes were made, but luckily nothing so fatal as to ruin the project.

Tony M

Great acomplishment.

When people do some research, they can do soo much. But most people don't have that desire to learn something new or challenging. I'm surprised you had somebody else build the deck. You're definitly capable of that unless it was a two story or you wanted building inspectors involved or just the elevation factor.

I've been challenged soooo much in my life learning new trades but after you learn the tricks (most trades have them) you understand how it all works somewhat together in the building of a house/stucture. Doing it yourself saves a TON of $$$ also. I've saved so much over my life doing things myself, all is paid for in my life and has been for years. I'm not in a 6000 sq. ft. house now but that is because I hate taxes and utility bills.

Here is what I've been doing myself this summer. Just like you, myself. I know just what you have described when you mention stages weren't easy or some of the pavers were a bear to lug around your house. It's great to have read( I agree, you did a great write-up of your challenge and great photos too) that you have what I had (and still try to do in my later life) and that's ... desire to make your dreams a reality.

Somebody said, " If you never built anything in your life, then you haven't lived"

Again, here is a pic or two of my addition to the building I built 13 yrs. ago(both) 99% by myself. I sleep well some nights as I'm sure you did too building your awsome patio.

mudwrx

Tony M wrote: »

Great acomplishment.

When people do some research, they can do soo much. But most people don't have that desire to learn something new or challenging. I'm surprised you had somebody else build the deck. You're definitly capable of that unless it was a two story or you wanted building inspectors involved or just the elevation factor.

I've been challenged soooo much in my life learning new trades but after you learn the tricks (most trades have them) you understand how it all works somewhat together in the building of a house/stucture. Doing it yourself saves a TON of $$$ also. I've saved so much over my life doing things myself, all is paid for in my life and has been for years. I'm not in a 6000 sq. ft. house now but that is because I hate taxes and utility bills.

Here is what I've been doing myself this summer. Just like you, myself. I know just what you have described when you mention stages weren't easy or some of the pavers were a bear to lug around your house. It's great to have read( I agree, you did a great write-up of your challenge and great photos too) that you have what I had (and still try to do in my later life) and that's ... desire to make your dreams a reality.

Somebody said, " If you never built anything in your life, then you haven't lived"

Again, here is a pic or two of my addition to the building I built 13 yrs. ago(both) 99% by myself. I sleep well some nights as I'm sure you did too building your awsome patio.

Hey Tony. It's amazing, before we bought our home I would never imagine doing some of the things I have done since. I was never one who used many tools or such (never really had a need in the past). But it is fun and you get a good feeling when you fix, build and/or maintain things on your own.

That extension you are adding on looks great, however a bit beyond my skill set I think. There's never a shortage of projects to do, but I'm willing to give them a shot (up to a certain point!).

Thanks.

Tony M

My skills came from employment changes over my younger years. Then when I bought my own home, I had what it took to buy a fixer upper and I did. I bought it cheap and worked at nights and on the weekends and really never got that tired of doing things. Just like you seemed to do.

I've yet to attempt a patio like yours. But after reading your story, I just might next year. I have a great spot where that kinda project would work. Thanks again for you sharing your "where there's a will, there's a way" experience on your patio project.