The Paver & Concrete Installation Process, Step by Step

Most paver and concrete failures don't come from the surface material — they come from a base that wasn't prepared correctly. Understanding the process helps you evaluate any contractor's proposal, including ours.

Step 1 — Excavate and grade: We remove existing grass, soil, or old concrete down to a consistent depth, and grade the area for proper drainage away from the house.

Step 2 — Set forms and compact the base: For concrete, wooden forms outline the exact pour area. For pavers, a compacted gravel sub-base (typically 4-6 inches) is laid and mechanically compacted to prevent future settling.

Step 3 — Pour or lay: Concrete is poured directly from the chute and spread evenly with a rake, or pavers are set by hand in the chosen pattern over a leveled sand-and-gravel bed.

Step 4 — Finish: Concrete is hand-troweled to a smooth, level finish and control joints are cut to manage cracking. Pavers are compacted into place and the joints are filled with polymeric sand to lock everything together.

Ask any contractor how deep their base goes and whether they compact it in stages — that single question tells you a lot about how long the finished surface will last.