Paver Patios and Hardscape in Tampa Bay

Concrete, brick or travertine pavers

Three materials cover most residential patios, walkways and driveways.

• Concrete pavers cost the least. Installed concrete pavers usually run $8 to $16 per square foot, and the pavers themselves $4 to $6 per square foot.
• Brick pavers run higher, usually $14 to $24 installed. Brick keeps a traditional look.
• Travertine is a natural stone with a lighter surface. Installed, it runs about $20.37 to $26.24 per square foot.

These prices are national, not Tampa Bay. The cost guide lists the full ranges.

Surface choice affects more than looks. Pavers set in sand allow water to seep through the joints, and a poured slab does not. Pavers can also be lifted and reset when a root or a pipe needs work, which a slab cannot.

Base preparation matters most

The visible pavers are a thin layer. The base under them does the work. A travertine job typically assumes excavation, a 6 inch gravel base, a 1 inch bedding sand layer, an edge border and polymer-modified sand in the joints. That is a useful checklist for any paver quote.

Sandy soil drains well, but loose sand can shift. A base that is compacted in layers and an edge restraint that holds the pavers in place are what keep a patio flat after a summer of heavy rain.

Grading comes before the base. The surface should slope away from the house so water does not collect against the wall. Grading usually runs $770 to $3,000, and uneven or hard-to-reach sites raise labor costs.

Sealing, weeds and upkeep

Sealer is optional. Reapplying sealant every few years keeps pavers looking their best. Sealing can make colors richer and slow weeds and stains, but it needs repeating, so ask what product and schedule your landscaper recommends. Sealing prices vary too much to give a figure here.

Joint sand washes out in heavy rain. Ask whether the crew will top it off after the first season.

Drainage, HOAs and permits

Tampa Bay rain comes in short, heavy bursts, so a patio that holds water is a patio that fails. Ask how the surface is sloped, where roof water goes and whether the patio will sit near a pool deck or a drainage swale.

Many HOAs require approval of exterior changes, including patios and driveways. Check the covenants, and ask your landscaper to prepare the drawing or sketch the HOA wants. Some cities and counties require a permit for larger hardscape, and the rules vary by city, so ask your landscaper which approvals apply at your address.

If the property is inside a St. Petersburg local historic district, exterior changes can need a Certificate of Appropriateness. The St. Petersburg page explains.

What to ask your landscaper

Ask your landscaper:

• How deep is the base and what is it made of? How is it compacted?
• What edge restraint is used, and how is the slope set?
• Which paver, in what thickness, and is the joint sand polymer-modified?
• Who handles HOA approval and any permit?
• What happens to the existing patio, pavers or lawn, and who removes them?
• What does the quote say about settling or lifting pavers after installation?
• How are trees and roots near the patio handled?