Paver Patios, Walkways & Decorative Rock in Houston, Memorial and Katy
Built on a compacted base, so the first big rain doesn't move a thing.
We build paver patios, walkways, pool decks and decorative rock beds in Memorial, the Energy Corridor, Spring Branch and Katy (77024, 77079, 77055, 77494) from $16 per square foot installed. A 300 square foot patio takes three to four days and typically runs $4,800 to $7,500. Most of what you pay for is the base: digging out, compacted crushed stone and a leveled sand bed under the pavers.
Our own crew does the work, with the owner on site. We answer within 1 hour · free quote today.
How we build the base
01. Dig out the area
Seven to nine inches deep for a patio, more where the clay is soft, so the patio ends up level with the yard and sheds water.
02. Pack down the soil
We pack the bare clay with a plate compactor before anything goes on it. Soft spots get dug out and replaced now, not after the pavers are down.
03. Crushed stone base
Four to six inches of crushed limestone laid in two layers, each one compacted, sloped a quarter inch per foot away from the house.
04. Sand bed and pavers
We level an inch of coarse sand, set the pavers tight in your pattern and cut the edges with a wet saw.
05. Edging, compacting and joint sand
We spike in plastic or concrete edging, run the plate compactor over the whole surface, then sweep sand into the joints.
Drainage in Houston clay
Houston clay swells when it's wet and shrinks when it dries, which is why patios on a thin base heave and pull apart. The fix is depth and slope: a thick compacted base that spreads the weight, sloped a quarter inch per foot away from the house so water runs off instead of soaking in under the pavers. If your yard already holds water, we regrade or add a shallow drain line first, priced separately.
Decorative rock landscaping
We lay black star gravel, river rock or crushed granite over weed fabric and edge it with steel or pavers. It works in side yards, under roof drip lines and between stepping stones. It takes less water than a planted bed, and there's no mulch to replace. Priced per cubic yard spread.
Patterns, borders and pool decks
- Patterns
- Herringbone locks tightest and suits driveways and walkways; running bond and basket weave look calmer on a patio. We lay out a sample first.
- Borders
- A contrasting border row (a soldier course) frames the patio, hides the cuts and helps hold the edges in. Priced per linear foot.
- Pool decks
- Tumbled or textured pavers stay cooler and less slippery when wet. We work with your pool builder so the coping and deck sit flush.
Paver prices in Houston
Per square foot on a compacted base. For the full breakdown and what changes the price, see our Houston landscaping cost guide.
- Paver patio, installedper sq ft
- from $16
- Paver walkway, installedper sq ft
- from $18
- Border or bed edgingper linear ft
- from $12
- Decorative rock, spreadper cubic yard installed
- from $175
- Example: 300 sq ft paver patiototal
- from $4,800
Starting prices for planning. Final price after a free on-site estimate.
Pressure-washed before we leave
Paver work tracks dust and sand everywhere. Before we send the bill, we pressure-wash your driveway, sidewalk and curb, and fix up the lawn edges. You get the patio, not the mess.
Paver questions from Houston homeowners
Will the pavers shift or sink after a Houston storm?
Not on a deep enough base. Pavers heave and shift when a thin base sits on unprepped clay. We pack down the soil, lay four to six inches of crushed stone in compacted layers, slope it away from the house and lock the edges. If a paver settles, tell us and we come back to lift and reset it.
Pavers or a poured concrete patio?
Concrete costs less per square foot but cracks in clay. Pavers cost more up front, and they can be lifted and reset if the ground moves or a pipe underneath needs repair, and water drains through the joints. For a patio you'll look at for twenty years in Memorial or Katy, we recommend pavers.
How long does a patio take, and can I still use my yard?
A 300 square foot patio takes three to four days: one for digging and the base, one or two for laying pavers, one for edging, compacting and cleanup. We tape off the work area; the rest of your yard stays usable. Walkways take one to two days. Rain adds a day, since a wet base won't compact.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval for a patio?
In Katy neighborhoods with an HOA, front-yard patios and walkways usually need ARC approval. You turn in the application; we put together the drawing and a material sample. In Houston and the Memorial Villages, permit rules depend on the city and whether the work changes drainage, so we check your address and tell you what applies before quoting.
Can you extend or repair an existing paver patio?
Yes, if we can match the paver or find a close one; when a color has been discontinued, a contrasting border can work instead. For a repair, we lift the problem area, fix the base and reset the same pavers. For an extension, we tie into the old edge so the seam doesn't show as a line.