My neighbor dropped $4,000 on a paver patio and I think my $180 gravel pad looks better
Last weekend my neighbor Dale was standing on his new paver patio off the alley behind his garage, and I heard him tell another guy he dropped $4,000 on it back in April. I built my gravel pad three summers ago for about $180 in stone and a couple hours of work. Our yards get the same sun, we both grill out there, and honestly mine has drained better after every storm we've had this year. I get that pavers look sharp on day one, but I've watched his shift and sink near the fire pit while my crushed stone just kind of stays put. Maybe I'm cheap, or maybe half the battle is how you dig and level the base, not what you stack on top. Anyone else skipped the fancy hardscape and never looked back?