These are the questions homeowners in Chesterfield Township and around north Macomb County ask most often about paver patios, driveways, walkways and repairs. If your question is not answered here, call or use the quote form and describe your project. Cost figures below are general national estimates from published cost guides, not quotes; local prices depend on your property and the contractor.
Cost Questions
How much does a paver patio cost?
HomeGuide lists paver patio installation at roughly $10 to $17 per square foot, or about $3,800 to $6,800 for a 20 by 20 foot patio. Access, soil, shape, paver choice and features like walls or steps change the total.
How much does a paver driveway cost?
HomeGuide's driveway paver guide lists roughly $10 to $30 per square foot, with typical totals around $5,700 to $17,200. Removing an old concrete or asphalt driveway, base depth and paver thickness all affect cost.
How much does a paver walkway cost?
HomeGuide's paver walkway guide lists roughly $15 to $40 per square foot. Walkways often cost more per square foot than patios because they are small jobs with lots of edges and cuts.
How much does it cost to seal pavers?
HomeGuide's paver sealing guide lists about $1.50 to $3.25 per square foot, including washing and re-sanding. Repairs and releveling are usually priced separately.
How much does a retaining wall cost?
HomeGuide's retaining wall guide lists segmental block walls at roughly $35 to $65 per square foot of wall face (length times height).
How much does it cost to fix sunken pavers?
There is no reliable published average because repairs vary so much in size and cause. A contractor needs to see the area to quote it. Small repairs may have a minimum charge.
Why do paving quotes vary so much?
Most of the difference is in the parts you cannot see: how deep the crew digs, how much base stone goes in, whether fabric is used over clay, how well the base is compacted, and what edge restraint is used. Ask every contractor to put those details in writing so you can compare.
Base, Soil and Winter Questions
How deep should the base be under pavers?
A common guideline is roughly 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone for patios and walkways and 8 to 12 inches for driveways, with more on soft or wet clay. Bedding sand and paver thickness are added on top. Your contractor should set the depth based on your soil and use.
Why does clay soil matter so much?
Much of Chesterfield Township sits on the clay lake plain of Lake St. Clair. Clay drains slowly, stays wet and swells when it freezes. If base stone sits on wet clay without separation, the clay works its way into the stone and the base weakens. Fabric, enough base, good compaction and drainage are the answer.
What is frost heave?
When water in the soil freezes, it expands and can lift the ground and anything on it. When it thaws, the ground settles, not always evenly. Repeated cycles over a winter can make pavers uneven. A well-drained, well-compacted base reduces frost heave.
Will snowplows damage pavers?
Plow blades can catch on paver edges. Pavers with beveled edges, a solid edge restraint, a herringbone pattern and a plow set slightly high or fitted with a rubber or poly edge all reduce the risk. Let your snow removal service know you have pavers.
Can I use salt on pavers?
Quality concrete pavers are made to handle deicing salt, but heavy use can wear the surface over time. Use deicer sparingly, choose products the paver manufacturer approves, and sweep up residue in spring. Do not use sand on permeable pavers.
Are pavers better than concrete in Michigan?
Each has trade-offs. Pavers cost more up front but flex instead of cracking and can be lifted and reset if a section settles. HomeGuide estimates paver driveways can last roughly 25 to 75 years versus about 20 to 30 for concrete when installed and maintained well.
When is paving season in Michigan?
Generally from spring thaw into late fall, depending on weather. Contractors are often busiest in late spring and early summer, so planning and getting quotes in winter or early spring helps.
Materials and Design Questions
What is the difference between brick pavers and concrete pavers?
Clay brick pavers are fired clay, like traditional brick, and hold their color for a very long time. Concrete pavers are cast in molds and come in many more shapes, colors and textures. Both can work well in Michigan if rated for freeze-thaw and installed on a proper base.
What paver thickness should I use for a driveway?
Pavers around 80 mm (about 3 1/8 inches) are a common choice for driveways, compared with about 60 mm (2 3/8 inches) for patios and walks.
What pattern is best for a driveway?
Herringbone patterns interlock best and resist the twisting force of tires. Running bond laid parallel to traffic is generally weaker on driveways.
What is polymeric sand?
It is jointing sand mixed with binders that firm up when misted with water. It resists washout, weeds and ants better than regular sand. It must be installed on dry pavers and the surface must be fully cleaned of dust before wetting, or it can leave a haze.
Do I need to seal my pavers?
No, sealing is optional. It can enhance color, make stains easier to clean and help stabilize joints. Many manufacturers suggest waiting before sealing new pavers so efflorescence can come out first.
What is the white haze on my new pavers?
That is usually efflorescence, natural salts carried to the surface by moisture. It is not a defect and often fades over time. Cleaners made for efflorescence can remove it.
Do permeable pavers work on clay soil?
They can, but on tight clay they usually need an underdrain pipe and a deeper stone reservoir so water does not sit in the base. A contractor with permeable experience should evaluate your site.
Permits, Planning and Process Questions
Do I need a permit for a patio or driveway?
It depends on your community and the project. Driveways that meet the road, retaining walls over a few feet tall, structures and projects affecting drainage or easements are the most likely to need approval. Check with your township or city building department and ask your contractor who will pull any permit.
Does my HOA need to approve my project?
Many subdivisions in Chesterfield Township and Macomb Township have associations with rules on exterior changes, especially driveways. Check your HOA documents before finalizing a design.
Do I need to call MISS DIG?
Yes. Michigan law requires a call to MISS DIG 811 at least three business days before digging. Contractors usually handle this. Private lines like sprinklers and landscape lighting are not marked, so tell your contractor where they are.
How long does a paver patio take to install?
Many typical residential patios take a few days of work, but size, access, weather and features like walls or steps can extend that. Ask your contractor for an estimated schedule.
Can pavers be installed over existing concrete?
Sometimes, as an overlay, but only if the concrete is solid, not cracked or moving, and drains well. On many old Michigan slabs, removal and a proper base is the better choice.
About Our Service
Are you a paving contractor?
No. Chesterfield Brick Paving is a referral service. We pass your request to an independent local paving contractor who contacts you, visits and gives you a quote. There is no charge for the referral.
Who is responsible for the work?
The contractor you hire is responsible for their work, warranty, insurance and any permits. Get the details in writing and check references.
What areas do you cover?
Chesterfield Township (48047 and 48051), New Baltimore, Lenox Township, Macomb Township, Washington Township, Harrison Township, Ray Township and nearby north Macomb County communities.