Paver Patios & Walkways
Paver patios, walkways, and concrete patios, on their own or with a new deck, built on a compacted base and sloped for our rain.
Get Your Free Patio Estimate
Tell us about your project. We'll call to confirm a time that works for you.
- Free in-home estimateWritten quote, no pressure
- Built for our rainCompacted base, sloped away from the house
- Financing available$0 down on approved credit
- Licensed & insuredWA Lic. #DAWNCCW747K2
- Rated 4.9 on GoogleBy local homeowners
- Prefer to talk?Call (206) 672-1711
What's Included in a Patio Project
Paver Patios in Seattle & the Puget Sound
Dawn Construction builds paver patios, walkways, and concrete patios in 45 cities across Greater Seattle and the Puget Sound, on their own or together with a new deck. Every patio starts with what you don’t see: a compacted gravel base, a slope away from the house, and a plan for where the rainwater goes. We back every project with a one-year workmanship warranty.
Amazing service and professional work! Dawn Construction built our new patio, and we couldn't be happier. The team worked efficiently, finished on time, and paid close attention to every little detail. The patio looks fantastic and completely upgraded our backyard. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a dependable contractor who delivers great results
Pavers or a Concrete Patio?
| Paver Patio | Concrete Patio | |
|---|---|---|
| How it’s built | Individual blocks on a packed gravel base, with sand in the gaps | One solid slab of poured concrete |
| When the ground settles | Blocks shift slightly; a low spot can be lifted and reset | The slab can crack; repairs often show |
| Look | Patterns, borders, colors, and textures | Clean and simple, with a few finish options |
| Upkeep | Sweep, remove moss from the gaps, refill the sand | Occasional cleaning; sealing if specified |
| Best for | Custom shapes, walkways, areas you may change later | Large, simple areas and hot tub pads |
How a Paver Patio Is Built to Last in Our Rain
Step 1: Dig Out the Area
Soft topsoil and roots come out, because they squash down and rot over time.
Step 2: Shape the Ground to Slope
The ground underneath is shaped so the finished patio tilts slightly away from the house.
Step 3: Build a Packed Gravel Base
Crushed stone goes in a few inches at a time, and each layer is packed hard with a machine, so the patio doesn’t sink when the ground is soaked.
Step 4: Sand, Pavers, and Edges
A thin, level layer of sand, the pavers in your pattern, and a firm edge so they don’t spread apart.
Step 5: Fill the Joints
Sand is swept into the joints and packed in, so the pavers lock together into one surface.
Slope and Drainage
Water is the first thing to plan. Near the house, the code requires the ground to slope away at least 2%, about 1/4 inch of drop for every foot, so rain runs away from your foundation instead of toward it.
Paver Walkways and Paths
A paver walkway can lead to your front door, link a driveway to a side gate, or wind through a garden to a patio or deck. It’s built like a patio: a packed gravel base, firm edges on both sides, and a slight slope to one side, away from the house.
| Paver Walkway | Poured Concrete Walkway | Gravel Path | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underfoot | Firm and even | Firm and even | Loose |
| When the ground settles | A low spot can be lifted and reset | The slab can crack | Easy to rake level |
| Wheelbarrows and strollers | Rolls well | Rolls well | Hard to push |
More detail: the paver walkway guide.
A Deck and a Patio Together
A raised deck off the house with a paver patio below or beside it gives you two kinds of outdoor space. We plan the levels, stairs, and drainage of both as one project, so water from the deck doesn’t collect on the patio. See our deck building services.
Permits and Rainwater Rules
| Rule | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Usually not needed for a ground-level patio; Seattle doesn’t require one for platforms up to 18 inches high |
| Seattle rainwater rules | Apply once a project adds or replaces more than 750 sq ft of hard surface: patios, driveways, and walkways together |
| Permeable pavers | Still count as hard surface for these rules |
| Other cities | Rules vary; we check yours at the estimate |
Caring for Pavers in Our Climate
- Sweep regularly: keep leaves and needles off, especially under trees.
- Clear moss from the gaps: moss holds water and makes the surface slippery.
- Refill the joint sand: when rain washes it out, so the pavers stay locked together.
- Reset low spots: a sunken area can be lifted, leveled, and relaid.
Our Patio Process
Step 1: Free In-Home Estimate
We look at the yard, the slope, and where the water goes, and send a written quote.
Step 2: Design
You choose the shape, size, pavers, pattern, and border.
Step 3: Excavation and Base
Dig, shape the slope, and build the packed gravel base.
Step 4: Pavers and Edges
Pavers laid, edges set, and joints filled.
Step 5: Cleanup and Walkthrough
We clean up and walk the patio with you, and explain how to care for it.
Patio Cost – What to Expect
Every patio is priced individually. You get a written quote after a free in-home estimate, and financing is available.
| Price Factor | Effect on Cost |
|---|---|
| Size and shape | More square feet and curves mean more material and labor |
| Pavers | Concrete pavers, stone, patterns, and borders |
| Site and slope | Sloped yards and tight access need more digging and base work |
| Old patio removal | Breaking out and hauling away an old slab or patio |
| Drainage | Extra work where water needs to be carried away |
Ready for a New Patio?
Get a free in-home estimate and a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.
FAQ – Paver Patios
Are pavers a good patio choice for the Seattle area?
Yes. Pavers flex with the ground instead of cracking, and a low spot can be lifted and reset. What decides how long a patio lasts is underneath: a compacted base, a slope away from the house, and a plan for where the water goes.
Pavers or a concrete patio?
Both work well here. Pavers suit custom shapes, walkways, and areas you may change later, and repairs blend in. A concrete slab suits large, simple areas and hot tub pads, but it can crack when the ground settles.
Do I need a permit for a paver patio?
Usually not for a patio at ground level. Seattle doesn’t require a building permit for platforms up to 18 inches high. Rules vary by city, so we check yours at the estimate.
When do Seattle’s rainwater rules apply?
When a project adds or replaces more than 750 sq ft of hard surface, such as a patio, driveway, or walkway. Permeable pavers still count as hard surface for these rules.
Which way should a patio slope?
Away from the house. Near the house, the code requires at least a 2% slope, about 1/4 inch of drop for every foot.
Can you build a deck and a patio together?
Yes. We build a deck and a paver or concrete patio as one project and plan the levels and drainage together, so water runs away from the house.
How do I care for pavers in our climate?
Sweep them, clear moss out of the gaps, and refill the joint sand when it washes out. Moss holds water and makes the surface slippery.
Do you build paver walkways too?
Yes. We build paver walkways and garden paths on a packed gravel base with firm edges, so they stay level and safe through the wet season.
Which areas do you serve?
Dawn Construction works in 45 cities across King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, and Mason counties, from Bellingham to Olympia.
Do you offer free estimates and financing?
Yes. Every project starts with a free in-home estimate and a written quote, and financing is available.
Other Services We Provide
Paver Patios Across 9 Western Washington Counties
From our offices in Renton and Mukilteo, Dawn Construction serves 45 cities, from Bellingham to Olympia. See the full service area.
King County
- Renton
- Seattle
- Bellevue
- Kent
- Federal Way
- Redmond
- Issaquah
- Bothell
- Kirkland
- Sammamish
- Mercer Island
- Newcastle
- Auburn
- Tukwila
- SeaTac
- Burien
- Shoreline
- Kenmore
- Covington
- Maple Valley
Snohomish County
- Mukilteo
- Everett
- Lynnwood
- Marysville
- Arlington
- Monroe
- Snohomish
Pierce County
- Tacoma
- Puyallup
- Lakewood
- Gig Harbor
- Eatonville
Kitsap County
- Bremerton
- Silverdale
- Poulsbo
- Kingston
Thurston County
- Olympia
- Yelm
Island County
- Oak Harbor
- Coupeville
Skagit County
- Mount Vernon
- Burlington
- Sedro-Woolley
Whatcom County
- Bellingham
Mason County
- Shelton
Don't see your city? Contact us or call (206) 672-1711.
Sources
- Seattle SDCI, Stormwater Code
- Seattle SDCI, Decks (platforms up to 18 inches)
- ICC, 2021 International Residential Code, Section R401.3 Drainage
Why Dawn Construction
Licensed & Insured
Fully credentialed for your peace of mind and protection on every project.
Full Team, Real People
Call Sunday–Friday, 8am–10pm and a real person from our team will answer.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees or surprise costs. We respect your budget.
Start Your Patio Project
Ready to upgrade your home's curb appeal? Reach out for a free, no-obligation estimate.
Ready to Get Started?
Call or email us directly — we're available Sunday–Friday, 8am–10pm and respond fast.
Call (206) 672-1711