Get matched with top patio pros in Conrad, MT

It’s technically possible to install your own patio, but we don’t recommend it. Installing a patio is labor- and time-intensive, and getting the end product to look professional demands patience and experience. Not only can mistakes lead to unevenness in your patio and expensive repairs, but not grading the surface properly can cause issues with water management, potentially leading to leaks in your home, foundation damage, and flooding. It’s more expensive to hire a patio company, but it’s usually well worth the investment to avoid costly mistakes.

You should have at least 4 to 6 inches of compactable base under your concrete slab. Your contractor may recommend more depending on the structure.

A properly installed 6-inch concrete slab, mixed and cured under the right conditions, can support about 3,000 pounds concentrated over a single square foot without buckling. Conversely, concrete pavers can handle around 8,000 pounds per square inch when laid over a solid, well-compacted base.

Most professionals will take two to three weeks to install a patio and return your yard to its previous condition. The timeline for your patio installation will depend on several factors, though, including landscaping features your installer needs to navigate around, the type of patio you’re having installed, and how long any add-ons, like outdoor kitchens, take to complete. The size of your patio will also play a role in how long it takes, so plan to keep pets and children out of your yard for longer if you’re installing an oversized patio.