GENERAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK
Patio & paving:
connect the next steps.
Put the scope, sequence, purchases and money in one plan. Keep assumptions separate from confirmed requirements.
Start with drainage
Patios and paving change where rainwater goes. Slope surfaces away from the house, keep drainage paths clear and confirm with the authority whether hard-surface or stormwater limits apply.
Locate buried services before digging
Contact the utility-locate service that applies where you live before excavating. Record the locate request date in your plan; it is a prerequisite for digging.
Separate patios from driveways and walls
Driveways can need a curb-cut or access permit, and retaining walls above a height often need a permit and engineering. Keep those as separate items in scope.
Budget the base, not just the surface
Excavation, compacted base, bedding sand, edging and haul-away often cost as much as the pavers. Enter them as separate lines so the forecast is realistic.
These are general workflow suggestions, not a construction method, design, code interpretation or local cost estimate. Template durations are illustrative and have not been reviewed for your property. Ask qualified professionals and the responsible authority to confirm what applies.