What shapes the investment
- Patio size and the material chosen
- Site grade and drainage work required
- Excavation difficulty and access for equipment
- Permitting and any engineering needed
- How much of the surrounding hardscape and planting is in scope
Patios & Hardscape
Patio Design and Installation That Connects Your Whole Property
A patio is the foundation of outdoor living. Poured-in-place concrete, interlocking pavers, natural stone, or porcelain—every material choice affects how the space works, drains, and looks as it ages. We design patios around circulation, entertaining, and the way your family lives outside.
- 25+years of experience
- 10,000+projects completed
- In-housedesign-build crews
- LIC #715731licensed & insured
- 5-star
Start here
What you're looking for
The right approach follows how you want to use the space. Pick what you're actually after below, and the materials and layout mostly follow from it. Every project shown was built here in Southern California, so the choices are suited to this climate.
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01 An entertaining space A patio sized for dining and gathering, where the layout encourages people to sit and linger. See entertaining patios -
02 A family-friendly backyard Durability and safe surfaces for play, with room for games, lounging, and circulation around a pool. See family patios -
03 A refined, minimal look Large-format porcelain or natural stone in restrained colors. The patio reads as an extension of the house. See modern patios -
04 An informal, rustic feel Natural stone or weathered pavers, where the material itself tells a story and the layout feels organic. See rustic patios
Service options
Interlocking Paver Patios
Best for Anyone who wants durability, color longevity, and easy repairs.
- Four times stronger than poured concrete
- Color stays vibrant; does not fade like concrete
- A single cracked paver swaps out without removing the whole patio
- Hundreds of patterns, colors, and finishes
- Installation costs less than natural stone
On your property Works on any slope. Sand base and proper drainage let pavers flex with ground movement.
- Driveways
- Pool decks
- Integrated lighting
- Planter edges
Large-Format Porcelain Patios
Best for Modern homes and anyone who wants a seamless, minimal look that reads as an extension of the house.
- Made with modern porcelain manufacturing, stronger than traditional ceramic
- Huge range of styles, colors, and finishes
- Large format means fewer joints and a cleaner look
- Does not absorb moisture; resists staining and freeze damage
- Mimics wood, stone, concrete, or solid color seamlessly
On your property Needs a stable base. On a slope or in a complex grading situation, porcelain is heavier to work with than pavers.
- Modern architecture
- Pool edges
- Shade structures
- Minimalist planting
Decomposed Granite Patios
Best for Alfresco dining spaces and anyone who wants an Italianate or rustic aesthetic.
- Brings warmth and organic character
- Less expensive than pavers or stone
- Excellent for informal dining and entertaining
- Drains naturally and compacts to a stable surface
On your property Needs regular raking and occasional re-compaction. Fine dust settles in wind. Works best in protected courtyards.
- Planting beds
- Pergolas
- Mediterranean or Spanish houses
- Herb gardens
Natural Stone Patios
Best for Traditional houses and anyone who wants a timeless, high-end appearance.
- Every stone is unique; slight color variation adds character
- Works equally well in traditional and contemporary homes
- Rich, earthy tones age gracefully
- Flagstone, granite, travertine, slate all available
On your property Absorbs moisture readily; can crack in freeze-thaw cycles. Needs regular sealing and careful slope for drainage.
- Traditional architecture
- Water features
- Specimen plantings
- Rustic fire features
How we work
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Before: measuring and analyzing Site analysis and measurement
We measure drainage, grade, utilities, thresholds, and how the patio connects to the house and yard. This determines material options and construction methods.
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Material selections Design and material selection
The patio gets drawn to scale with grading, planting, steps, and circulation. Material samples arrive so you can see how color and finish look in your yard.
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Design plan Permitting and engineering
Permits go through our in-house team. Structural work like retaining walls or complex drainage gets engineered before construction.
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Under construction Excavation and base preparation
Existing material gets removed. Grade is set, drainage is confirmed, and the base is compacted to specification for the material chosen.
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Finished Paving and finishing
Pavers, stone, or concrete goes in with trained crews. Grading, joints, and drainage are finished to plan. Planting and lighting follow.
Key decisions
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
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Material and cost
Poured concrete costs least. Pavers and DG are mid-range. Natural stone and porcelain cost most. Durability and maintenance vary significantly.
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Drainage and grading
The slope decides where water goes. On a flat lot the patio has to slope slightly and tie into yard drainage. On a slope it can terraces into level areas.
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Connections and thresholds
How the patio meets the house door, the pool deck, pathways, and planting beds. These transitions determine whether the space feels cohesive or fragmented.
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Size and utility
Entertaining space needs 20x20 feet or more. A narrow side-yard patio serves circulation and planting. Sizing changes material choices and cost dramatically.
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Joints and pattern
Pavers and stone come in patterns: running bond, herringbone, basket weave. Joints can be colored, filled with turf, or left open. Pattern affects both look and cost.
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Lighting and utilities
Conduit for lighting, gas, and water should run under the patio base, not added afterward. Deciding these in the design phase prevents costly retrofits.
Investment and timeline
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
What shapes the schedule
- Design and material selection timeline
- Permit review, which varies between cities
- Site access and equipment availability
- Complex grading or retaining work
- Weather and construction sequencing with other trades
Why entertainer's cabana was drawn together with the rest of the property
Decking, drainage, utilities, planting, shade and lighting all bear on where a feature goes and how it gets built. Settling them on one set of drawings is what keeps conduit out of the wrong trench and stops paving being cut to fit afterward.
- Pool and deck relationship Pool edges need non-slip material and proper setback. Deck slope and joints handle water leaving the pool.
- Drainage and grading Patio slope ties into yard drainage. Underground utilities and conduit run below the base.
- Circulation paths Patios connect house doors, the pool, entertaining areas, and landscape zones. Width and routing matter for flow.
- Planting and shade Mature trees shade a patio in summer. Pergolas and shade structures turn exposed patios usable in midday heat.
- Lighting and entertaining Conduit installed with the base lets fixtures sit where they light the space and define zones.
Access, engineering, permits, finishes and scope vary a lot from one property to the next, so the investment and the schedule for your project are set once we have seen the site and the design is settled.
Tell us about the property and what you want the space to do. We will walk through the design, site and permitting factors likely to shape it.
What customers say
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They replaced my old driveway and a side patio. That was 6 years ago and the work still looks new. They came in and did the job in a couple days less than they predicted.
Gregg Oelker Google review · 6 years ago Driveway and patio replacement -
Everyone involved from the demolition, repairs, and stone installation were outstanding. Professional, efficient, and genuinely cared about the work they were doing.
Dan Jessee Google review · 2 years ago Patio renovation and hardscape
Frequently asked questions
How long do paving stones last?
Properly installed interlocking pavers last 25 to 50 years. They resist cracking better than concrete and individual stones can be replaced without affecting the whole patio.
What is the difference between pavers and porcelain?
Pavers are individual interlocking pieces with thousands of color and pattern options. Porcelain comes in large format with minimal joints, reads as more seamless, and mimics wood, stone, or concrete.
Can a patio be sloped for drainage?
Yes. A 1 to 2 percent slope (about 1 inch per 8 feet) directs water away from the house and allows it to sheet across the patio into yard drainage.
How much does a patio cost?
Cost depends on size, material, site conditions, and whether utilities or drainage work is included. A typical 20x20-foot patio runs from a few thousand dollars for concrete to significantly more for natural stone.
Can I see the patio in 3D before construction?
Yes. Our design process includes 3D renderings so you can see layout, materials, colors, and how the patio connects to your house and yard before construction begins.
Ready to get started?
Schedule a consultation with one of our designers to discuss your project goals and explore what's possible on your property.
What happens next: we set up a visit, measure the property and talk through what you want the space to do. Then you get a design to look at before you commit to anything.