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You should place a layer of thick landscaping fabric directly over the concrete slab and then a thin layer of leveling sand over that to protect the pavers from moisture. For border pavers, you should plan on locking them in place with polyurethane adhesive. This will prevent them from shifting under foot traffic.

In many cases, you will need a building permit for your patio, but it depends on the type of patio. Generally speaking, any improvements to your land considered “permanent” will require a permit. Since a concrete patio is a permanent foundation, you will need a permit. On the other hand, a paver patio or flagstone patio usually sits over gravel and sand, are considered “temporary” improvements, and rarely require permits. To be safe, you should always ask your building department or your patio company if a permit will be necessary.

Most standard concrete patios are around 4 inches deep. However, concrete patios that need to support very heavy items, like a hot tub or outdoor kitchen, should be around 6 inches thick to support the full weight of these items. You'll also want to make sure you install rebar for patios that need to support a lot of weight like this.

It is essential to have a stable and well-prepared foundation under stone steps. Often, a layer of gravel or crushed stone is placed as a base material. This provides a firm and level surface for the stone steps to rest upon. Additionally, landscape fabric is often laid down before adding the base material to prevent weed growth and help stabilize the foundation. Creating a solid base ensures the stone steps have adequate support, reduces the risk of settling, and enhances the overall durability and longevity of the steps.