How To Know When You Should DIY A Paver Project Or Call In The Professionals

Pavers offer an affordable, attractive, low-maintenance option for hardscape areas in your backyard. When you settle on a paver project that will instantly elevate your yard, your next decision is whether to hire a professional or do the work yourself. DIY paver projects save you money by eliminating labor costs and give you a sense of accomplishment. Calling a professional for complicated paver situations could save you stress and time while ensuring the project turns out well. Factors that help you decide include your timeframe, your budget, your DIY skills, your familiarity with the material, and the complexity of the project.

Before you decide, consider what you want to accomplish. Having a clear idea of the project scope makes it easier to determine if you can handle the work yourself. Look at the type of project, such as a driveway, walkway, patio, or built-in firepit. Consider barriers or factors that might complicate the job. For example, if there's a tree where you want to place the paver driveway, the roots could complicate the installation. If your paver patio location is on a slope, you'll need to do more work to level the surface.

If you're on the fence, calculate the costs both ways. Estimate what you'll spend on supplies for the paver area. Then, get quotes from local installers to compare the costs. Consider the time commitment as well. Building a paver project yourself may take longer due to a lack of experience and commercial-grade tools.

Saving money with DIY paver installation might be your best bet if you understand and feel comfortable with the project, including designing an attractive paver area. Getting the design right ensures you take into consideration existing features that might complicate the installation, such as a drainage issue. Your design plans also impact the cost of the project by affecting how much material you need and any special equipment that's necessary. You should be able to calculate how many pavers you need based on the design and estimate the project costs. Before you DIY the design, ensure you feel comfortable creating plans that are attractive, affordable, and doable with your skillset. 

You need to have the skills and physical abilities to prepare the site and install the pavers. That involves digging up several inches of soil and applying the base material. The base depth depends on the soil in your area and the project type — patios and walkways typically need a base that's 4 to 6 inches deep while driveways require 10 to 12 inches of base material. Consider how well you can haul and handle those materials to ensure you have a secure base.  

Ensure you have the time to dedicate to the project, which could take several days to complete. If you make installation mistakes or run into complications, that extends the timeline even more. The area is unusable during the construction phase, so ensure you can do without the space.

Hiring a professional for paver installation might be worth it if you want an intricate design, such as unique paver patterns that will add interest and texture. Pros are helpful if you're unsure what type of design you want or which materials are best for the look you want. Professionals know how to handle complicated installation situations, such as a steep slope or a location that's difficult to access. They often have experience in those complex situations with creative solutions to ensure you get quality results. Plus, you usually receive a warranty on the work when you hire a pro, which means you have coverage if your paver project fails in the future. 

Hiring someone to do the work is a good choice if you don't feel confident with the project in general or aren't equipped to do the work. Paver installers already have professional tools, such as concrete saws and compactors, to get quality results, and they know how to use those tools safely and effectively. With a crew of workers, landscaping companies can move pavers, dig out the area, prepare the base, and install the pavers efficiently, which is helpful if you're on a time crunch or don't have the time to dedicate to the project yourself. Local companies also understand the unique needs of your area, including how the type of soil affects the project and how seasonal weather changes impact material selection and installation.