This contractor hiring guide will pave the way for your dream patio
A paver patio can turn your yard into a second living room—but not all designs are equal. Hiring a landscape designer can ensure that the patio design suits your space and goals, whether you’re planning al fresco dinner parties or sunbathing with a good book. Here’s a breakdown of who to hire to design your paver patio and how they do the job.
Landscape designers are similar to interior designers, but they work with your outdoor space. They’ll collaborate with you to bring the vision you have for your yard to life. Here are some reasons to hire a local landscape designer to design your paver patio:
High-quality work: Pavers can shift without proper leveling and landscape curbing. Landscape designers can plan a high-quality patio design that avoids common issues and lasts for years.
Creativity: Landscape designers are visionaries. They can help you creatively utilize your space—whether you’re trying to make the most of a small backyard, want a multi-functional outdoor area, or need strategic landscaping to hide a transformer box in clear view.
Expertise: These pros have the expertise to plan a perennial garden that looks good year-round. They have a wealth of knowledge about gardens (like when and how certain flowers bloom in your area) and how to integrate them alongside your hardscaping.
Proper drainage: Drainage is one of the most common issues with DIY patio installations—and a poorly installed patio can cause water damage to your home. A landscape designer will make sure the drainage is done right.
Remember that when you hire a landscape designer, you may still need to hire a paver contractor for installation. Some designers hire contractors to finish the work, while others provide referrals so you can hire contractors once the design is complete.
You can DIY your paver patio project if you’re handy and have experience. In most cases, you won’t need a permit. Just make sure you choose a simple design.
Installing a paver patio is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. A few mishaps can happen with a shoddy installation—like an uneven surface, shifting pavers, or pooling water that can lead to foundation issues. Consider passing this job to a pro if you don’t have experience, your yard isn’t level, or you want a more specialized design.
When choosing between hiring a landscape architect or designer, look at the project's scope. A paver patio may be straightforward—but it can get complicated when it’s part of a larger landscaping renovation. While a landscape designer can work on most residential projects, there are certain instances where you may want to hire a landscape architect:
You need to regrade your yard or solve a complicated drainage issue.
Your plan to install a permanent outdoor structure like a greenhouse with your patio
You’re overhauling the entire backyard
While both professionals have similar experience, landscape architects have formal education and a state license. Even if you hire a landscape designer, they may tap an architect for issues that require their expertise.
We think of landscapers as the pros who mow our lawn and mulch our flower beds. The truth is that many landscaping companies employ pros with a range of specialties—from patio installers to landscape designers and architects—who can design and install your paver patio.
If you hire a landscaper for this job, make sure they specialize in hardscaping because not all landscapers offer this service.
Landscape design is a marriage of creativity and science. Your landscape designer will evaluate your priorities and develop a design that works with the space. For example, you may want to incorporate a pergola for shade but don’t want to block the view from your kitchen window. During the patio designing process, your landscape designer may:
Ask you about your goals, ideas, and must-haves
Evaluate your existing space
Create an initial design using CAD software
Estimate the cost of the project
Hire landscape architects if necessary
Fine-tune and finalize the design based on feedback
Source materials
Hire paver contractors and oversee the installation
