The $38,000 Patio Installation in Hudson, Ohio

Welcome to Nosy Neighbor, where we ask all the questions you can’t about home projects and money. From incredible deals to domestic dramas, we’re bringing you real stories—and the real numbers.

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Age: 32

Location: Hudson, Ohio

How much did you pay for your home?

$500,000–$750,000

What was the project, and why did you do it?

After living in our home for two years, we finally decided to invest in a paver patio. Aesthetically, the yard wasn't terrible, but it was incredibly dysfunctional. Hundreds of square feet of gravel made it impossible to keep clean, and we worried about all of the loose rocks with our soon-to-be toddler. 

How many quotes did you get? Did you price shop at all?

We received a handful of quotes, ranging from $15,000 to $45,000.

What did you think it was going to cost?

$31,000

What did it actually cost?

$38,707

Why the difference?

Once we got into design, we ended up increasing the square footage of the patio pretty significantly to accommodate a pergola that we love. 

There were also some unanticipated costs with the sheer volume of materials we were dealing with. There were at least three trucks of old gravel removed and four to five trucks of new gravel brought in to create the base.

How did you get the money to pay for the project?

Savings and a year-end bonus.

What did you splurge on that was totally worth it?

We splurged on material. We went with Unilock pavers ($13,589), which are supposed to be incredibly long-lasting and ultra-durable. It was a big investment, but we wanted to know that it would hold up over time. 

We also made the smart decision to install an electrical conduit beneath the patio so that we could have electrical outlets (and avoid unsightly extension cords).

What was the most surprising cost?

The most surprising cost was replacing the fence—which is why we didn’t do it (yet). 

We had to remove an existing section of fence to accommodate a raised walkway. The quote we got to replace it and install a handful of new gates was $4,100. We’re trying to hang on as long as possible without replacing it, but we’ll definitely be doing it soon. 

(Side note: We recently extended that fence, and the material costs increased by 18% in just a few short months.) 

What was the most stressful, emotional, or exciting part of the project?

This project was full of highs and lows. It was the biggest project that my husband and I had ever taken on, and we didn't anticipate all of the intricacies. 

There's a ton of work that goes into properly installing a paver patio—making sure that the ground is level, that drainage is functional, etc. We learned about halfway through the project that the existing downspout drainage system was completely broken. (So that’s why our yard seemed to hold so much water.) Luckily, the contractors we hired were able to remedy the situation.

It was scary not knowing if the contractors would uncover additional issues throughout the process, but I was so happy that we did our diligence and hired the right people for the job. They never cut corners, and they advised us throughout the process.

Any advice?

Make sure you’re aligned with your contractor from the beginning on cost—especially as you make changes throughout the process. It's easy for things to add up and it's not a good feeling to be surprised when the final invoice shows up.