Installing pavers is a cost-effective solution to increase the curb appeal of your outdoor spaces. With several things to consider, how much does it cost to install pavers? We're putting a guide on how much you need to pay for materials, labor, and operational expenses for a paver installation project.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Pavers?
For labor alone, it costs $5 to $11 per square foot to install pavers. However, the final cost could reach around $12,000 for a 1,000 square foot project. This may change depending on several factors, including location, materials, dump costs, labor, design complexity, overhead expenses, and professional fees.
As ICPI certified specialists, you get the best value for professional designing, cost estimation, material selection, and installation. Since projects and designs vary, we're going to start with a breakdown of operational and labor expenses to determine the cost of installing pavers.
Operational and Labor Cost of Installing Pavers
It costs around $12,000 to install pavers in a 1,000 square foot space. This covers fees for materials, labor, and other charges.
To give you a better idea of how to calculate the cost, let's work on a sample 1,000 square foot driveway that's 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. This is just a rough estimate, and the final price would still depend on the company.
Materials
A study from the International Journal of Environmental Health Research shows that spending 20 minutes in a park improves well-being. If a park is too far from your home, you can bring a park-like ambiance to your outdoor living space by adding plants, paver patios, or fire pits.
However, you can't install pavers without completing the necessary materials. You should also add about 10% to the expected number of stones, bricks, or tiles.
1,000 square feet + 10% waste = 1,100 square feet of pavers
1,100 square feet x $2.20 per square feet = $2,420
1,000 square feet x $.070 per square feet of gravel road base = $700
1,000 square feet x $0.41 per square foot of geotextile fabric = $410
1,000 square feet x $0.36 per square foot = $360
120 feet x $1.31 per foot of concrete = $157.20
1,000 sq ft x $0.10 per square foot of joint sand = $100
Materials total: $4,147.20
Dump Costs
Every paver construction requires dumping to fill dirt and concrete loads into the site efficiently.
For example, you may need 2 truckloads worth of dirt loads, which would amount to $320 or $160 each. Additionally, the project may need 3 truckloads of concrete loads, costing $375 or $125 each. Thus, the total dumping costs amount to $695.
Fueling and Delivery
Fueling and delivery costs depend on some factors, including your location, distance, manufacturer, and current fuel prices. For this sample computation, we're setting $530 for the fueling and $585 for delivery.
Cleanup
The paver company is in charge of cleaning the leftover materials and pallets. The cheapest cleanup fee for paver installation can be around $250.
Labor
The installer's experience and your location may influence the cost. The more experienced ones may charge more, yet you'll reap quality and long-lasting benefits.
For our sample 1,000 square foot driveway, an experienced crew of paver installers can cost anywhere from $5 to $7.35 per square foot for the labor. A highly skilled and reliable team may cost higher or up to $11 per square foot.
This may take about 4 to 5 people to complete the project in 5 days. Hence, you should prepare around $5,000 to $11,000 for labor alone.
Overhead and Profit Costs Fee
Like any other business, paver companies need overhead budgets to survive and ensure daily operational expenses can help serve clients. These include:
Workers' compensation insurance
General liability insurance
Business taxes
Marketing expenses
Home Improvement Sales (HIS) license fees
Certifications
Administrative staff fees
Office expenses (company shirts, website, general supplies)
While this isn't a definitive list, it will give you an idea of why businesses set at least 10% overhead and profit margin. Besides, in case you require repairs during the warranty period, the paver company has a contingency fund for the project.
Company overhead cost = $11,207.2 (cost so far) x 10% = $1,121
Considering the current fees plus 10% overhead and profit margin. The 1,000 square feet driveway would cost $12,328.20. Note that we're only using the least expensive options for this guide to create a rough computation.
Cost Factors in Laying Pavers
The average American spends 37% of their take-home pay toward housing, with many people even spending more. The upfront cost of installing pavers depends on the project's scope. Still, this can be a one-time thing as long as you consider all factors.
Materials: The materials would take a massive chunk of the budget, especially since the price varies depending on the material. This also covers things like sand bedding or gravel road base.
Design intricacy: Complex paver designs may increase the cost of your project. For instance, modular or interlocking patterns are the easiest to install, whereas reclaimed stone and asymmetrical borders are among the most complicated.
Grading and leveling: Pool water can ruin patios, while foot traffic can damage driveways. A paver professional must consider site slope, paver permeability, and drainage conditions to ensure a solid foundation.
Related Questions
Can I Install Pavers By Myself?
Technically, yes, it's possible to install pavers by yourself. However, even professionals spend at least 35 hours installing a 300 square foot paver patio, so it would take significantly longer for you. Also, consider if you have all the necessary materials and knowledge to avoid catastrophic mistakes.
Are Pavers Easy to Clean?
Yes, installed pavers are easy to clean. There are several ways to maintain pavers, including sweeping, pressure washing, pouring homemade solutions, and using cleaning materials.
Conclusion
Whether you're planning to renovate or sell your home, having outdoor living spaces add elegance to properties. It costs around $11 per square foot or around $12,000 to install pavers in a 1,000 square foot space. However, the long-term beauty and functionality benefits will be worth it.
Jason Farr
