Patios

A patio takes bare feet, furniture, and grills, so it has to sit flat and shed water. We pitch it slightly away from the house so rain doesn't run back toward your foundation. Backyards around the lake are rarely level. We often add fill, a step, or a raised edge to make the grade work. A broom finish gives the most grip. Smooth, colored, and stamped finishes are options if you want them.

What's included

• On-site measure and a written quote
• Layout to your size and shape, square or curved
• Dig-out and grading, with fill where the yard slopes
• Compacted crushed stone base
• Forms and reinforcement
• Slight pitch away from the house for drainage
• Broom or smooth finish, control joints, and cleanup

The process

1. Measure and plan. We mark out the shape, check the grade, and settle where the water should go.
2. Prep the ground. We dig out, bring in fill where needed, compact, and lay the stone base.
3. Form and pour. We set forms and reinforcement, then pour and finish.
4. Joints and cure. We cut joints and keep traffic off while it cures. Light foot traffic is usually fine after a day or two.

What affects the price

• Size and shape. Curves and odd angles take more form work than a rectangle.
• Access. If the truck can't reach the backyard, the concrete has to be pumped or wheeled in.
• Slope. A sloped yard can need fill, a raised edge, or steps.
• Finish. Broom is the base price. Smooth, colored, or stamped costs more.
• Extras. Steps, a walkway tie-in, or footings for a future roof.

Questions homeowners ask

My backyard slopes. Can you still pour a patio?

Usually, yes. A small slope gets handled with fill and a thicker edge. A bigger drop may need a step or a raised edge. We'll tell you which at the quote and price it in.

I live on the lake. Can I pour a patio down by the water?

Only on your own land. The shoreline around Lake Lanier is public land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and you can't build a patio on it. Steps or a path toward the water need a Corps permit first. Check your property line before you plan the layout. We can work from your survey.

Do I need to seal my patio?

It isn't required for plain concrete, but it helps. Sealer makes the surface easier to clean and slows down stains. Red clay stains are common here, and they come off a sealed surface more easily. Stamped and colored patios should be resealed every few years.

Can I add a roof or screen room later?

Yes, if you plan for it now. Roof posts need footings, not just a 4-inch slab. Tell us at the quote and we can pour footings where the posts will go. Your builder or the county sets what's required for the roof itself.

Ready to price a patio? Call (470) 577-9537 or send the form for a free quote.

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