Imagine yourself enjoying breakfast on your patio in the fresh spring air—a cup of coffee, crispy bacon, and a stack of pancakes in front of you as you listen to the birds chirp. If your current backyard is only patchy grass and dirt, you might not have a great place to make this outdoor meal a reality. Building a patio provides your outdoor space with structure and support to put out furniture while safely creating a barrier between your feet and the earth.

A patio can be tailor made based on your budget, preferences, and goals. With the local expertise Greenway of Nashville provides, an attractive outdoor space is an achievable goal in time for warmer weather.

What Do I Need to Consider for Building a Patio?

When planning a patio, there are a number of considerations to go through before committing to a project and carrying it out. The more thorough your planning, the more successful the end result. Working with patio contractors will help you plan comprehensively, but let’s discuss a few key areas.

First, you’ll need to determine what your budget is. Knowing what you can realistically spend on a patio construction project and sticking to that number may help with other decisions during the course of the project. For example, if only one type of paver fits in your budget, then choosing materials becomes less complicated. By setting a budget, you set yourself up for success as long as you stay true to that number. The total budget should include some contingency funds in case of unexpected developments or delays. Ideally, those extra dollars won’t be needed, but it’s best to be prepared. Setting an overall spending limit can be difficult if you haven’t executed a similar project in the past; you might not even know what a realistic range for creating a patio is. An average patio could land anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000 and will be dependent on the size, materials, and additional elements needed to create the desired features. Don’t forget to budget for anything you’ll be putting on the patio, such as lounge chairs or outdoor dining sets.

The next consideration would be the materials for the construction of the patio. Most obvious in this category is the construction material itself; people generally choose either concrete pavers or poured concrete. Concrete pavers are individual blocks or stones that are laid together. They can be arranged in a standard fashion or done in a more intricate pattern. Conversely, poured concrete is when you mark off an area with wood borders to create a sort of mold, then pour wet cement in, allow it to harden, and are left with a solid slab that can be decorated through stain or stamping. As with anything, there are pros and cons to each. Pavers are more durable and easier to replace when there’s a crack, but they tend to be more expensive. Poured concrete is cost effective but doesn’t hold up to pressure and time as easily, and it can be difficult to repair.

Other materials to consider for outdoor patio construction include stains or stamps if you go the poured concrete route. These allow a more decorative flourish to the patio, customizing it towards your design preferences, but at an increased cost. In addition, there are a number of colors and stamp patterns to decide between—so it’s up to you to choose your aesthetic.

Patios will vary in size, from small spots used for a couple of chairs and a side table to massive footprints that can hold large groups for gatherings. Think about how you intend to use the area—will you need a large patio, or is something smaller sufficient? Will your use of the area change over the years? Maybe you only need a little space at the moment, but if you plan to host gatherings as your family grows, then creating a bigger patio now saves you from having to expand it later.

The position of the patio is another area of planning. If you’re looking for your patio to be a sunscape, you’ll want to place it where there won’t be constant shade from the trees. Alternatively, if you’d like to escape the sun’s rays, finding a spot where tree coverage is continuous during the day would be preferred. If the location you’d like for the patio has poor drainage, you’ll want to consider adding residential drainage solutions such as French drains or retaining walls to improve the integrity of the ground the patio will sit on.

Are you a night owl? If you’re looking to use the patio in the evenings, you’ll need to have lights in the area. These could be lights built into the patio surface, lamp posts, or even lights mounted to your home.

You should also consider any supplementary features you may want; patios can range from straightforward flat ground to having a kitchen setup or hot tub. The more features you add, the more space you’ll need and the higher your budget should be. Accessories such as these will also need additional infrastructure such as electrical or plumbing. If you’re looking for patio construction ideas, we’re happy to schedule a consultation with you to discuss what elements are possible for your new patio.

Any time you build a structure, rules and regulations should be reviewed. Your locality may have specific guidelines on what can be built, whether any permits are needed, or whether any officials need to be notified that work is going to be taking place. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association (HOA), there could be additional regulations in place as to what’s allowed. For example, an HOA may prohibit a patio that is visible from the street, or it may only allow patios to be made from certain materials. Having a service provider like Greenway of Nashville makes this process easier for you, as we have worked with homeowners in HOAs and have gone through permitting processes before.

“Work with skilled Nashville hardscaping and outdoor construction professionals who understand your vision and respect your schedule. Contact us for a free quote!”

How Do I Get Help Building a Patio?

There may be a number of patio contractors near you, so when considering who will best help you achieve your dream yard, think about what factors are important in choosing a partner. Greenway of Nashville has years of experience with staff dedicated to residential landscape improvement. We focus on using the best materials and providing customers with an all-around resource who can plan, execute, and maintain your property. Our pricing is a part of our competitive edge, as our efficiency and resources help minimize the length of a project as well as unexpected costs. We’ll stay in constant communication with you through the planning and execution of your patio and be available to you for assistance in the years of use that follow.

We’re happy to help you enhance your outdoor space by evaluating your landscape, recommending the appropriate solutions, and building with guaranteed success. Our expertise in patio construction will help you navigate choices of material and design without the stress of doing the work yourself. With Greenway of Nashville, you can have all of your spring projects done together without having to piecemeal the services from different providers. Request a free quote with a guaranteed rate by reaching out through our website or by calling us at (615)-238-4574.

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