Have you ever considered building a brick patio? If yes, then you are in for a treat. A brick patio is one of the most beautiful additions to any home and can be built by anyone with enough dedication. If you have decided to build a brick patio on your property, then this article will help you throughout the entire process of building it.
The first thing that you need to do when building a brick patio is lay out the dimensions of where you want it to go. Once this has been done, make sure that your cement is ready for pouring into place. You will want to make sure that all of your bricks have been cut down into smaller pieces so they can fit into place easier during construction. Once everything has been laid out properly, begin pouring cement into place until it reaches the desired level (about 2 inches deep).
The cost to build a brick patio is dependent on the materials you use and the work you do yourself. If you’re looking for a simple brick patio, then your total costs will likely be around $3,000-$4,000 for materials alone. However, if you want a more complex design and don’t want to do any of the labor yourself (or hire someone), then your total costs could easily exceed $5,000.
Brick Patio
Brick patios are a great choice for outdoor entertaining areas. They’re easy to build and low maintenance, making them a good choice for the budget-conscious homeowner. Brick patios can be used in any climate, but they’re most popular in warm-weather regions where they can add value to your home.
Brick Patio Design
When it comes to designing a patio, there are many factors that must be considered. The first is the dimensions of your space. You will want to consider the amount of space you have available, as well as how much room you may need for other uses. In addition, note that patios come in all shapes and sizes—so if you have a specialty shape or size in mind (e.g., an octagon), it’s best to get this out on paper before moving forward with your project.
Another important consideration when planning your patio design is what materials will be used throughout the area. As mentioned above, brick patios are quite popular due to their durability and aesthetic appeal—but other options like stone or concrete may also work well with certain architectural styles and tastes. If choosing brick or another type of stone material, remember that these can vary widely based on color variations between shades like light grey/white versus dark grey/black tones within each variant family; if unsure which shade would look best with existing landscaping elements around them then ask one of our professional team members today.
Cost To Build A Brick Patio
The cost of materials to build a brick patio varies by region. In most areas, it costs between $1,000 and $2,000 to purchase all the materials needed to build a standard patio measuring 12′ x 12′. The exact cost will vary depending on the design, size and type of bricks used in your patios design. A more complex layout could raise the price significantly because it would require more bricks than a simple square layout.
You should plan on spending an additional $8-$12 per square foot for labor costs if you hire someone else to do this work for you. The cost of hiring someone else will also depend on whether or not they charge by the hour or by project size; however, expect it to be around $500-$600 per day with travel time included (round trip). This is based off our estimate from our local contractors here in Ohio – assuming that there are no hidden fees or expenses hidden behind other projects being done at same time period (i.e., replacing old decking along side new patio area).
Material Costs
Material costs will vary depending on the size of your patio, but in general, you can expect to spend around $5-$7 per square foot for materials. This cost covers bricks and mortar.
If you want a brick patio that is 10-feet long by 5-feet wide (50 sq ft), you’ll need 500 bricks and 1 sack of mortar mix. At $6 per brick and $15 per sack of mortar mix, your total material costs would be:
- 50 x 6 = 300 bricks ($360)
- 1 x 15 = 15 sacks ($225)
Labor Costs
The labor costs of your patio project are largely dependent on the size and scope of your project. A small backyard patio will cost less than a large commercial one, but it can also be done by yourself instead of hiring professionals to do it for you. If you decide to hire pros to build your patio, expect to spend upwards of $30 per square foot for labor. If you’re working on a DIY job, that figure drops significantly: about $15 per square foot (and maybe even lower).
Special Equipment & Expenses
Special equipment is required to lay the bricks. If you want to save money, consider hiring a professional who already owns the needed machinery and can use it for other projects. For example, if you hire a landscaping contractor with an excavator, he or she will be able to rent out this equipment for your patio project and then use it on another job later that week.
However, if you have no access to such machinery or would rather not pay someone else for their time and expertise in using it, then you’ll need to buy it yourself (or borrow from friends). The price of special equipment depends on what kind of machine(s) are needed; some examples include:
- A brick paver cutter/jointer (can be rented)
- A compressed air chipping hammer (needs electricity but doesn’t require gas)
Location
Location, location, location. Where you want to build your brick patio is a very important factor in determining how much it will cost. The materials needed and the labor involved can vary greatly depending on where you decide to put it.
The first thing to consider is what type of area you want your brick patio installed in: level or sloped? A level surface is going to require less material and take less time than a sloped one will — so if money isn’t an issue for you and you just want something that looks good as soon as possible, then choose this option.
Size
The size of your patio will depend on the space you have to cover, but it can also be determined by how many people you want to seat. If it’s just you, one or two benches will suffice. But if hosting family gatherings is a priority, consider building a larger area that can accommodate six or eight people comfortably (and maybe some extra chairs for unexpected guests).
There are brick calculators available online to help determine how many bricks you’ll need for the size patio you’re planning on constructing. The more compacted and compactible clay soils are where brick patios really shine; this soil type is ideal because it won’t shift over time like other types of cement-based materials would do in high-traffic areas.
Building the Foundation
The first step in building your patio is to build a concrete foundation. This will provide stability and support for the patio, and it should be placed on a level surface. If you don’t have access to land where you can dig down deep enough, or if your land is rocky or otherwise unsuitable for digging, we recommend hiring a professional excavator to do this work for you. It’s also important that your foundation be wide enough to support the weight of whatever material you are planning on using overtop of it—so keep that in mind when building. If this sounds like too much work (it really isn’t), consider hiring someone else who specializes in building patios.
Laying the Bricks
Bricks are laid in cement, which is then tamped down to provide a firm foundation for the bricks. This process can be labor intensive, so it’s better to hire a bricklayer rather than trying to do it yourself. A bricklayer can be hired by either the day or by the hour, depending on how much experience they have with laying bricks and what size project you’re working on. If you decide to hire one, make sure that he has enough space for stacking bricks and an assistant (if necessary). You’ll also need a trowel that the worker can use to lay down mortar between layers of bricks when needed during construction.
Stone Type
If you’re considering a brick patio, you have a few different options: brick, stone, concrete or other. The cost of each varies widely based on the material used and how it will be installed.
Stone
Stone is one of the most popular materials for patios because it can add an elegant look to your outdoor space. It also tends to be one of the most expensive options, but it can last longer than other types of material if properly cared for and cleaned regularly. Concrete Patio: Concrete patios are another common type used by homeowners because they provide an easy-to-install surface that is durable and long lasting as well as being waterproof. However, since concrete requires special tools to install correctly (such as a vibrator), expect this option to cost more than other materials such as wood or gravel surfaces would require if used instead
Grading and Leveling
Now that you know what a brick patio is and the cost to build one, let’s go over the steps to creating your own brick patio. The first thing to do is grade and level the ground where you would like your patio. Grading is the process of making sure that your ground is flat and level so that water can drain away from your home without pooling in low spots. If you are building a relatively small patio (less than 400 square feet), simply grading out an area with power equipment such as a trencher or bobcat will suffice for leveling purposes. However, if you’re planning on building something larger than 400 square feet, it may be worth hiring an experienced landscape contractor or excavating company to grade out your backyard area properly so that there are no low spots where water could pool up against foundations or walls of houses nearby.
Once grading has been completed, it’s time to level out any high points around this newly graded area by filling them in with compacted gravel until they’re at approximately half their original height (this keeps rainwater draining away from buildings while also preventing standing water underneath patios). This can also be done by hand if necessary—but remember: A higher slope should always lead towards buildings such as houses because this allows excess rainwater runoff into drainage pipes rather than toward them (which could cause flooding).
Landscaping
Landscaping is the process of creating an outdoor space that is pleasing to the eye, functional, and beautiful. Landscaping can be used to improve the aesthetics of a home, provide privacy and soundproofing, and help with drainage.
A brick patio can add significant value to your home by increasing its curb appeal. A brick patio also improves the functionality of your property by providing a space for entertaining guests or simply relaxing outside with family. Finally, brick pavers are extremely durable materials that can stand up against any weather conditions or wear-and-tear while still looking great year after year.
Plumbing, Electrical, and Gas
Plumbing, electrical, and gas work are all complicated and require licensed professionals to install them correctly. If you are not a professional yourself, it is important to hire one who knows what they are doing.
Many homeowners do not have the skills or experience necessary to complete these tasks on their own. To avoid costly mistakes that could compromise your home’s safety or cause long-term damage, we recommend you hire a professional contractor
Drainage
The next step is to install the drain. This is a critical aspect of any patio and for good reason—water needs to be able to drain away, or else it will puddle and cause problems. For example, if water pools up on your patio, it may seep into the ground around it, which can lead to a number of problems like root rot or mold growth in your yard. You also don’t want standing water sitting there all day since that’ll cause issues with mold growth as well as making your brick patio look dirty and unkempt over time.
Sealant
Sealant is a protective coating that helps to keep moisture out of the joints between bricks. It can be applied using a brush, trowel, or roller and should be applied after laying the bricks but before grouting.
Conclusion
You can now see that a simple brick patio can be an affordable way to add some character to your home. You don’t have to spend a lot of money if you don’t want to, but the more materials or labor you put into it the higher your costs will be. If you are considering building one then be sure to take all these factors into consideration before starting construction so that there are no surprises later on when it comes time for payment.
