Get matched with top patio pros in Martin, SD

The average patio takes anywhere from 30 to 50 hours to build, including leveling the ground and paving the patio. If you’re doing the work yourself, you might want to plan on spending significantly more time, especially if you don’t have all the equipment or experience. After completing your patio build, consider hiring a pro to prepare the patio for spring.

You can make a variety of stepping stone designs yourself, including concrete, wood, mosaic, and stone. Some home improvement centers and craft supply stores sell kits to make mosaic stepping stones for around $15. If you need more than one stone, the cost of these kits can add up quickly, but they make a great weekend project and add uniqueness to your garden.

It’s possible to pour concrete if the temperatures are expected to dip below freezing at night, but you need to take some special precautions before you do. Most importantly, you need to make sure your concrete won’t freeze, so the best thing to do is enclose the area and heat it. You should also make sure you’re using cold-weather concrete that’s designed for pouring in cold weather. Use accelerants to help speed up the curing process and avoid cold temperatures from resulting in weak concrete.

Paver patios are often considered the most durable option. Expensive options include pavers of natural stone like granite, and more affordable choices include concrete and brick. All these materials are weather-resistant and are easy to replace individually if damaged. When installed over a well-compacted base and maintained correctly, paver patios can last 50 years or more, making them a long-lasting outdoor choice.