BeforeAfterA New Paver Patio Over a Former Pool
Former pool · Paver patio
Paver Patio Installation and Paver Patio Contractor in the Bay Area
Paver patio installation is the core of most Bay Area backyards we build. Cicarelli Contractors lays Belgard and Carvestone pavers and natural stone on a compacted, drained base, adds borders, steps and seat walls, and plans the patio with the turf, walls and features around it, under CSLB license #1109419.
- Belgard and Carvestone pavers
- CSLB License #1109419
- Mon–Sat, 9 am–5 pm
Paver patios
Why Patio Pavers Outlast a Poured Slab in Bay Area Yards
A paver patio is made of individual units set on a compacted base, with joints between them that let the surface flex as the ground moves. When a section dips or a root lifts a corner, those pavers can be pulled up, the base fixed and the same pavers reset, instead of cutting out cracked concrete.
In paver installation, the base is what decides whether a patio stays flat. Soil is excavated, compacted, covered with base rock in compacted layers, then a thin bedding layer and the pavers, all sloped so water runs away from the house. An edge restraint keeps the field from spreading. On Bay Area clay and slopes, that preparation is most of the job.
We design patios with what surrounds them: a retaining wall that creates the level space, artificial turf next to it, or a fire pit or pergola on top. Patio pavers in our gallery come from jobs from San Francisco and Oakland to San Jose and Walnut Creek.
Reviews From Our Paver Customers
Six Google reviews quoted word for word: paver yards front and back, a paver carport chosen over concrete, and a pool area turned into pavers. Swipe or use the arrows.
Tania Llaujel RodriguezBackyard & front yard pavers
We are extremely happy with the job performed in my backyard. And my front yard It was done very fast and the quality of the job is excellent. Highly recommended because you have a great service at a reasonable price.
Kevin WilliamsPaver carport & new fence
Just this past week, I hired Cicarelli Contractors to install a carport. Initially I wanted concrete but after speaking with Athalyson and being educated on pavers instead of regular concrete we decided to go with his recommendation. And to our surprise the pavers turned out to be the correct choice versus a concrete slab. The color that we chose really compliments the paint that’s on the house. Cicarelli did an incredible job. They followed the timeline to completion to a tee and each day they worked at my home they always cleaned up before they left for the day. We are so excited how everything turned out, our neighbors constantly come over to say how beautiful the pavers look. To my surprise they completed the work in one week. Not only did they have to prep the work they also had to remove 3 large trees and the existing fence and replace it with a new one. Still hard to believe they did all that work in a short period of time and at the end everything looks very professional.
DeejConcrete pool removal & pavers
Couldn’t be happier with how our yard turned out! We had Cicarelli remove an old concrete pool and install pavers around the new garden area. The whole process was smooth, and the crew was polite and professional.
Nauzer GotlaHouse & backyard
Athalyson did great work at my house and backyard. Very happy with the result. Highly recommend.
Melissa DaltonBackyard project
This Company is amazing there work is Better then I could have imagined! and there employees the nicest!
Gilbert CriswellBackyard project
Great stuff
Patios on video
From Old Pool to Paver Patio on Our Jobs
A Vacaville yard that went from a pool to a paver patio and outdoor living, plus a Walnut Creek retaining wall that created level patio space and the demolitions that cleared room for new patios.
Watch On YouTubePavers or concrete
Paver Patio or Concrete Slab: Which Fits Your Yard?
Both can last when the base is right. These are the cases where pavers make more sense, and where a poured slab may be enough.
Pavers fit best when
- You want to repair a spot without cutting the whole slab
- Roots or expansive clay are likely to move the ground
- Patterns, borders and colors matter to the design
- The patio connects to steps, walls or turf
- You may add utilities under the patio later
A poured slab may be enough when
- The lowest upfront cost matters most
- A plain, continuous surface is the goal
- The area sits under a roof and sees little movement
Our guide to concrete vs pavers compares the two in detail.
Paver patio step by step
How We Build a Paver Patio
Layout and base come first; the pattern is the last thing to go down.
Start With A Free Estimate- Step 01
Design the Layout
We set size, shape, pattern, borders and steps with you, and mark it on the ground.
- Step 02
Remove and Excavate
Old concrete, lawn or soil comes out to the depth the base needs.
- Step 03
Compact and Base
The subgrade is compacted and base rock goes in, compacted in layers.
- Step 04
Set Slope and Bedding
The surface is screeded with a fall away from the house.
- Step 05
Lay the Pavers
Pavers are laid in the pattern, cut at the edges and restrained.
- Step 06
Joint and Compact
Joint sand is swept in and the field is compacted to lock it.
Patios we have built
Paver Patios From Our Projects
Patio pavers from finished Cicarelli jobs, each built on the same compacted base.
Patio around a tree ring
Pavers wrap a mature tree with room left for its roots.
Curved patio edge
A soft curve meets the lawn instead of a straight line.
Patio under a gazebo
The same base carries the patio and the gazebo footings.
Patio with seat wall
A low seat wall adds seating without extra furniture.
Before and after
Paver Patio Projects, Before and After
Drag each slider to compare the yard before and after the new patio.
See All ProjectsBeforeAfter
BeforeAfterPavers, Turf and a Gazebo in Burlingame
Burlingame · Pavers and turf
BeforeAfterPavers and Turf Replace a Gravel Yard
Backyard · Pavers and turf
Pricing
What Sets Paver Patio Cost
Paver patios are priced by area and by what the site needs below and around them. These are the items we measure.
Paver choice
Concrete pavers, Carvestone and natural stone differ in material and labor.
Excavation and base
Removing old concrete or soil and the base depth your soil needs.
Pattern and borders
Herringbone, cuts, curves and contrasting borders add labor.
Steps and walls
Steps, seat walls or a retaining wall on a slope add structure.
Getting materials in
Pavers and rock moved through side yards by hand or small machine.
Lighting and extras
Step lights, drains or conduit placed before the pavers go down.
See our paver cost guide for what moves a paver budget, or send photos for a written quote. Get a written quote
Permits and rules
Do You Need a Permit for a Paver Patio?
A flat paver patio on private land usually needs no building permit in Bay Area cities, as long as it stays close to grade. Several cities draw the line at 30 inches above the adjacent ground. Retaining walls, structures over the patio and any gas or electrical work follow their own rules.
- San Rafael exempts patios no more than 30 inches above adjacent grade with no foundation beneath and nothing below them, per its work exempt from building permit handout.
- Walnut Creek exempts sidewalks and driveways no more than 30 inches above grade, per its work not requiring a permit page, and treats retaining walls over 4 feet separately.
- Oakland exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet without a surcharge, while noting that zoning permits may still be needed for exempt work, per its exempt work page.
- Berkeley also warns that a zoning permit may still apply to work exempt from a building permit, on its exempt work page.
Any patio job over $500 should come with a written contract, which California requires for home improvement work, as the CSLB explains.
Paver patio answers
Paver Patio Cost, Base and Choices
Patio pavers bring the same questions to every paver contractor: what the patio will cost, how the base is built, which paver to choose and whether a permit is needed. These answers draw on our own installs and on the rules cities post.
How much does a paver patio cost?
It depends on the size, the paver, the pattern, how much old concrete or soil comes out, the base your soil needs, steps or walls, and access. A simple square patio and a curved one with borders and a seat wall are very different jobs, so the reliable number is an itemized estimate.
We can price two paver choices side by side on the same estimate.
What is the best base for a paver patio?
Compacted base rock over compacted native soil, finished with a thin, even bedding layer and an edge restraint. The base has to be placed and compacted in layers, not dumped in one pass, and sloped so water leaves the patio. Its depth depends on the soil and on what the patio will carry.
The same principle applies to our paver driveways, which carry cars and need a deeper base.
Which pavers do you install?
We install Belgard and Carvestone pavers and natural stone. Belgard pavers carry the manufacturer's lifetime limited product warranty, and Carvestone installations add a 7-year limited residential warranty to our 1-year workmanship warranty. Color, size and texture are chosen at the estimate.
Warranty terms and care tips are on our warranty and maintenance page.
Can pavers be laid over an existing concrete patio?
Sometimes, when the slab is sound, drains well and leaves enough height at doors and steps. A cracked, sunken or poorly draining slab is better removed, because its problems come through the new surface. We check the slab and the heights before recommending either option.
If the slab has to go, our concrete removal crew handles it first.
| Rule | Official source |
|---|---|
| Patios up to 30 in above grade, no foundation | Exempt in San Rafael (city handout) |
| Sidewalks and driveways up to 30 in | Exempt in Walnut Creek (city page) |
| Residential sidewalks and driveways | Exempt in Alameda (city page) |
| Zoning on exempt work | May still apply in Oakland and Berkeley (Berkeley) |
| Home improvement over $500 | Written contract (CSLB) |
Summarized from the official city pages linked above.
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors · CSLB #1109419
FAQ
Paver Patio FAQ
Picturing a New Patio?
Send photos of the yard, a rough size and any ideas you have saved, and we will reply with a written estimate. Calls are taken Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, and the site FAQ covers more.
Call (650) 404-7049How long does it take to install a paver patio?
It depends on the size, the pattern, how much has to be removed and whether steps or walls are included. A simple patio on an open, level yard is a much shorter job than a curved patio with a seat wall on a slope. The written estimate gives the expected days after we measure.
Do paver patios need sealing?
Sealing is optional. It can deepen the color, make stains easier to clean and help keep joint sand in place, but it has to be reapplied over time. Many patios do well without it. The care routine is on our warranty and maintenance page.
How do you keep weeds out of paver joints?
A well-compacted base, joints filled to the top and regular sweeping keep most weeds out. Polymeric joint sand, which hardens after it is wetted, helps further. Weeds that do appear root in debris on top of the joints, so keeping the surface swept matters most.
Can you add a fire pit or seat wall to a paver patio?
Yes. Fire pits, seat walls, steps and lighting are planned with the patio so they sit on the same base and any gas or power lines go in before the pavers. Adding them at the start is simpler than cutting into a finished patio later.
Will a paver patio crack like concrete?
Individual pavers rarely crack, because the joints let the surface move slightly as the ground shifts. If a section settles, the pavers there can be lifted, the base corrected and the same pavers reset. That repairability is one of the main reasons homeowners choose pavers.
How do I get a paver patio estimate?
Call or text (650) 404-7049, Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, or send patio photos, a rough size and saved ideas through the free estimate form. A written, itemized patio estimate follows within 24 hours of the photos or the site visit.
Paver Patio Guides
GuideConcrete vs. Pavers for Bay Area Driveways and Patios: Comparison
Guide9 Backyard Patio Ideas for Bay Area Homes That Work Year-Round
GuidePaver Walkway Cost in the Bay Area: 2026 Guide to What Drives the Price
Updated · By Athalyson Bernardo, Owner of Cicarelli Contractors