Paver patios, walk ways and drives are a great way to increase the eye appeal of your property.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to designs and color combinations.  Paver installation is more labor intensive than the typical poured concrete options because each block is individually installed.  Base preparation is fairly similar to that of poured concrete.  The thickness of your base will depend on what the application of the project is and the circumstances surrounding its use.  Below is a step by step guide on how to properly install paver blocks.

Paver Patio Site Excavation

Excavating your site is the first step in prepping the area for installation.  Prior to digging, all utilities should be located so that you can work around or stay out-of-the-way of them.  Next, use marking paint to draw out a rough design of what you want your project to look like.  If you are replacing existing material, remove all old material prior to drawing out your design.  Once you have drawn out and finalized your design, you should determine the proper grade of your project.  It is important to take into consideration water drainage issues as well as the effects that your project will have on your property.  Once you have determined that your project fits your needs and it will not interfere with your property, you can begin excavation.  Depending on the type of application and the size of your project, you may want to hand dig or use heavy equipment such as a back hoe or skid loader.  The depth of your excavation will depend on what is being installed.  The use of a laser level is recommended to make sure that your project has the appropriate drop.  Drop is the change in elevation from one point to another.  When you are excavating, make sure to dig deep enough for the proper amount of base to be installed plus the thickness of your paver material.