Concrete Pavers Guide

If you are starting a new DIY paving project in your front or backyard of your home, such as a patio, walkway, driveway, and more, and you are using brick pavers, you are probably here because you are interesting in buying brick pavers for your project. However, before you buy brick pavers, there are a few things you should know. This includes the prices you’ll pay, how to save money on your pavers, and other options that are available to you if you find brick to be too expensive or not appropriate for your project.

Types of Brick Pavers

Unlike their cousins (concrete pavers and natural stone pavers), there aren’t as many options available when it comes to colors, shapes, and sizes of brick. Most will come in the ‘standard’ brick size. As a result, your patterns and designs will be somewhat limited, especially when compared to other options. Due to the hardness of the clay, it is difficult to cut them into the shape you want, so you should use brick pavers only if you want the traditional look of laid brick.

In addition, there are fewer colors of brick available than what’s available in concrete and stone. If the brick goes with your decor, then this probably doesn’t matter to you, but keep in mind that there are other options available to you if you want to explore other designs. (See the discussion below for some leads.) You will see red brick as the most common, though browns, blacks, and other colors are possible.

However, you might also find that these limitations are useful in that they make it easier for you to make your selections. Before you begin your research, you should narrow down the shape, size, and color of the brick you want. This will help you during the research process, though you will not be that hindered if you go into it unprepared.

The Costs of Brick Pavers

Note that much of this discussion of costs depends on the square footage of your project, so be sure to measure that out before you do your research. Realize as well that you’re going to be buying more brick than you need, both for cuts and for wasteage.

For the material, you will pay around $5 to $15 per square foot. The exact pavers cost relies on so many factors that it’s hard to pin down an exact one for you given your different areas and needs. Just know that if you get pavers on the low end of this scale, you’re getting a pretty good deal. Note that concrete pavers are a cheaper option, so if budget matters, consider looking into these.

How to Save Money on Clay (Brick) Pavers

When it comes to saving money on clay pavers, it’s all about knowing where to buy brick pavers in the first place. Here’s a listing of the best places, both offline and online, to do that.

You should always start with the usual suspects when it comes to home improvement – stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. They will have a limited selection in types and colors, though, and you may not get the best prices through these sources. Thus, just use these bricks and prices as a guideline.

If these places don’t have the brick you want and need, you should try mason supply yards next. This is a requirement if you need a large number of brick. If you just need a few for some stepping stones or garden border, a home improvement store is probably fine. But if you are constructing a patio or walkway and need them by the pallet, you will definitely need to go with a mason supply yard or other materials supplier.

You can also check with online companies for discounts and other good deals. Note, however, the importance of geography here: you might find a great deal on brick pavers but actually end up paying more due to high shipping costs. In general, it’s best to stay as local as possible, since the shipping costs will be lower and already factored in to the price you’ll pay. Note though that you’ll also have to pay a delivery charge to have the brick brought to your home, though if you have a big vehicle you could transport them yourself.

Probably the best ‘underground’ option is to check out classified ad sites like Craigslist. Many homeowners rip out old brick walkways, driveways, and other projects, but don’t want to pay for the disposal of the brick. They then post them for free, or at least a nominal charge, on craigslist. As long as you can come and pick them up, they’re yours. Granted, you’ll have to get lucky with the color, type, and condition of brick you get, but this is a phenomenal way to get an amazing deal on used brick.

Another way to save money is to get ‘thin brick’ and lay it over an existing concrete slab. Thin pavers over concrete should only be done  if the slab below is in good condition; if it cracks, you may have a problem with the surface of the paver project over time.

Finally, the other major way to save money on your pavers is to install them yourself. If you pay a contractor for installation, you will pay much more for the project above and beyond the materials costs. Thus, if you have any skill and willingness to do the work yourself, consider doing as much of hte work as you can. Of course, if there are certain parts of the project that are beyond your skill, consider hiring out subcontractors for those portions of the project.

NOTE: Don’t buy regular bricks that you’d use for walls or facing! These are actually different than ‘brick pavers,’ which are made to withstand soil and water. Regular brick will fall apart if you use them for these ground applications.

Other Options

If you have your heart set on interlocking pavers, realize that there are other types out there beyond brick, types that may actually turn out to be better for your budget and your project. Check out concrete pavers as the main alternative option when it comes to paving stones. If budget isn’t an issue, than natural stone pavers can be a wonderful addition to your home.

If you have a home improvement project that you want to DIY or hire a contractor to install, you will need to buy the materials that will be needed for the installation. If budget is a concern for you, you’ll want to do what you can to save money on the materials. This brief ‘slabs for sale’ guide will give you a basic overview of the kinds of slabs available, where you can find them, and how you can get deals.

Types of Slabs

Ultimately, the type of slab you want will depend on the project that you are creating. If you are going for outdoor projects, such as patios, driveways, and the like, you’ll want to go with stone, rock, and concrete slabs. (Note that there are many different kinds of ‘stone,’ from sandstone to marble and more.) If you are looking for slabs for an indoor installation, such as for a countertop or tabletop, you can look for wood or stone slabs. Granite slabs, for instance, are quite popular for these applications.

For outdoor slabs, the particular kind of slab you will use will depend on the project. Let’s assume, for example, that you’re building a patio. You will probably want to go with harder options for your patio slabs, such as concrete or hard stone.

If you are looking for indoor slabs, you will either choose between wood or stone, of course ultimately depending on the type of project you are doing. For a countertop, you may want to go for granite; for a sink, bathtub, or other area, you could go with soapstone.

Wood slabs come in a variety of types, from redwood to walnut and everything in between. The dimensions and thicknesses of these slabs vary widely, so you should be sure about the specs of your ideal slab before you go out searching, as there is no ‘standard’ size given that they can becut to order.

Note as well that within each category of slab there is variation in color, size, texture, and general features. Thus, you’ll want to pick your material first, and then figure out which particular slab you want for the project.

Where to Find Slabs for Sale

One of the reasons why slabs are so expensive is that they are heavy and hard to transport. Thus, you will want to minimize the distance the material is transported for it to reach your home. In some circumstances, such as with stone paving slabs, you have little control over this, as the nearest quarry may be far away. As a result, you’ll pay more for the slab due to the shipping charges involved in its transport.

That said, don’t just rely on local options for slabs, though that may be the cheapest option in most circumstances. Your first shot is mason supply yards and other materials yards. You can check out home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, but it’s very unlikely you’ll find a great deal there due to the markup.

After exhausting local supplies, check online for slab wholesalers. Even if they are far away, you may save more overall even though they have to be transported if you can buy cheap slabs in the first place.

In addition, keep your eyes peeled on sites like Freecycle and Craiglist. Homeowner will sometimes have extra slabs that they don’t need; perhaps they bought too many or are removing an old installation. Whatever the reason, they may be willing to let the slabs go for a low price or even for free. Of course, before committing to any purchase or transfer of goods, personally inspect the material. You don’t want to be stuck with something that doesn’t meet your specifications, even if it is ‘free.’ If you’re looking for the best, cheapest option, this is by far the one. However, you won’t get the guarantees and peace of mind that you would with regular companies; you also might not get the exact type and amount of slabs that you want. Still, it’s a good risk to take, as you could save a TON of money this way. I highly recommend this above the other options.

Slabs Prices Estimate

Note that the following discussion can’t take into account regional and quarry differences in the quality and quantity of material available. If the slab you select is lower quality, you’ll pay less money; if there’s less of the material available, and thus quite rare, you’ll pay more. Since so much is subject to regional variations, we can only give you a general discussion of the costs. These are prices that you’d pay from a typical supplier, so if you find them at the low end or below this range, you know you’re getting a good deal.

As you might expect, stone slabs are much more expensive than concrete and wood slabs. This is because this stone is cut from the earth and shaped according to your specifications. Granite, as one example, is a very popular but expensive material, so if you can find granite slabs for sale, you’ll save a ton of money on your project.

The price you’ll pay for these materials will vary greatly, so we can only give you a basic price for each of these materials. Limestone slabs are very, very cheap – usually around $5 – $10 per square foot. Marble slabs will run you around $10 to $20 per square foot. Soapstone will run you around $1000 for a sink, or $20 per square foot for a slab. Granite slabs will cost you, as most slabs do, per square foot, a number that will usually hover around $30 to $40, though you will usually pay around $50 to $60 per square foot for the installation. Slate slabs will cost around $10 -$20 per square foot.

Wood slabs will vary depending on the size, quality of wood, and type of wood, but you can expect to pay on the order of $100-$300 per slab.

Concrete slabs are by far the cheapest option for you. You can either make them yourself (very cheap) or buy them and have them delivered. You will usually pay around $4-$8 per square foot for this material.

The Verdict

Overall, it’s hard to give an exact price, given the huge number of variable involved, but we hope at least you have an idea of the ‘order of magnitude’ of prices you may pay. Note that these don’t often include shipping costs, as this will depend on your location relative to the company or supplier.

One of the advantages of paving slabs is that they are larger and thus easier to install than smaller paving bricks like concrete pavers and their ilk. This means that the installation costs for concrete paving slabs are much lower than their smaller hardscape brethren. But how do the prices of the paving slabs themselves compare?

Before we go into a discussion about the prices of paving slabs, a note about where they can be used. You can use paving slabs almost anywhere, and there is no real difference between the slabs regardless of where they will be used aside from differences in colors, thicknesses, textures, finishes, sizes, etc. Patio paving slabs are largely the same as garden paving slabs, though they may be put towards different uses. This is just like it is for concrete pavers – patio pavers are the same as driveway pavers which are the same as pool pavers and so on. If you want a more in depth discussion of the types of concrete paving slabs, where to use and install them, and other factoids, click the link.

Paving Slabs Prices Range

In general, due to their larger size, paving slabs (or ‘flags’) are more cheap than concrete pavers, paving stones, brick pavers, natural stone products (such as flagstone pavers), and others. While you can expect to pay around $8 to $12 per square foot for the pavers, just for the material alone, you will probably pay about $4 to $10 for your concrete paving slabs prices. They in fact take a middle position in the scale between the cheapest concrete (poured slabs) and the most expensive (concrete paving stones).

What Price Will I Pay? Some of the Factors

The exact point you’ll be on this range between four and ten dollars will depend on a large number of factors. We can’t lay out all the many factors, as some of them may be specific to your situation and project, but we can chart out some of the big differences. Of course, the price you’ll pay will depend on how much you order, that is, how many ‘square feet’ you purchase. Your price per square foot will decrease as you order more, as ordering large amounts of the material is far more efficient than ordering smaller amounts multiple times. This translates into lower costs for everyone involved.

Obvious, the quality of the material you use will have a large factor – the better the concrete, and the more fancy the texture, color, and finish, the more you’ll pay. This of course applies to any outdoor home material you use.

The price will also depend on the thickness of the slab. The thickness you select will depend on the particular project you are installing – if you need a more heavy duty slab, such as for new driveways, this translates into a thicker and thus more expensive slab.

In general, as well, the price of the slab will decrease as its surface area increases. This is because it is more efficient to make larger slabs and transport them on site than to make smaller brick and do the same. Installation costs should also be cheaper as the slab size increases (if you hire a contractor), though this will depend on the weight of the slab and other tricky issues that might come up during the project. Note, however, that as the size increases, you sacrifice the benefits of the ‘interlocking’ nature of the material. As the slabs turn more and more into a full-on poured ‘slab,’ the more chance you have of dealing with cracking and chipping concrete. The smaller the material, such as with interlocking pavers as the smallest case, the better chance you’ll have of avoiding the tyranny of freeze-thaw cycles and the havoc that can come about.

The Verdict

Note that you can save a ton of money by creating your own slabs. You can do this in two ways – first, pouring a normal concrete slab and then separating it off into different slab ‘sections.’ The second is to get concrete block molds or other concrete molds for sale and make your own slabs, just as if you made your own pavers with paver molds. This all requires a deft touch with concrete, though, so you may want to settle with buying the slabs pre-made from a home improvement store or mason supply yard.

In the end, the price you pay will need to be determined when you actually go out and buy the material yourself (or have a pavers contractor do it for you). It is possible to look for cheap paving slabs as long as you know where to find them, so don’t automatically buy the first kind of slabs you see.

If you are thinking of trying your hand at a DIY concrete pavers project, there’s a lot you should know before you begin. Whether you’re building a driveway, walkway, patio, or some other project, the more informed you are, and the more effort you put into the project, the better the final results.

While we can’t give you every piece of information you’ll need – though much of it can be found in other articles on this website – we can give you the top 10 most important pieces of information that you can use for your DIY pavers project. Some of them have to do with cutting costs, others with making sure the project is built correctly, and still others about paver designs and project ideas. All together, these tips represent the most important things you should know (and think about) before attempting your own paving project:

Ten DIY Concrete Pavers Tips

(1) Plan ahead – don’t wing it and expect that the project will turn out brilliantly. Think about the project you want to make, its dimensions, its patterns and designs. For instance, if you’re laying a DIY paver patio, sketch out its dimensions on paper and then use spray paint, stakes, and string to lay out the dimensions of the project in your yard. The more you plan, the better you’ll be able to anticipate potential problems. Plus, it will tell you how much material you’ll need.

(2) The key to any paver project is its base. The more effort you put into the sub-base – made of crushed aggregate and sand – the better the project will turn out and the longer it will last. Don’t take shortcuts here – it may be tempting to lay the pavers over concrete, but this will be a suboptimal solution. You might consider contracting this part of the process if you don’t feel comfortable in your abilities.

(3) Though DIY paving projects are a great way to save money, don’t go too cheap, both in the amount of time and money you spend. You don’t want substandard materials, especially the brick, as these will fade and break over time. You want to use quality material and quality tools in addition to quality processes to ensure that the final product will turn out to be of professional grade.

(4) Speaking of grades, pay special attention to making sure the slope of your project will permit water to drain in the right places. The project should slope away from the home, flowerbeds, or any other sensitive area; if possible, have it slope towards a drain of some kind so that the majority of the water will leave your property (this is most appopriate for driveways that are close to the street). Having a flooded basement or landscaping can ruin what was otherwise a successful project!

(5) When digging, be careful not to dig up any utility lines. This can be both expensive and dangerous if you cut or damage these lines. If you don’t know where they are, hire a utility expert (or ask the town) to find out where the lines are.

(6) If you are thinking about installing more than one project (such as a paver walkway and patio), consider doing them at the same time. “Chunking” them in this way will be the most efficient, both in terms of time and money, as you’ll be able to order materials and pavers in bulk and use your own time and labor more efficiently than if you separate the installations of the projects in time.

(7) To that end, do think about adding other additions to your projects. If you started out thinking only of doing a DIY patio pavers project, for instance, you may want to consider adding a walkway, driveway, pool deck, garden project, or other application to the schedule. If you already have the materials and the time, it may not be that much more expense to expand the project and have more of your yard look integrated within the overall design.

(8) Though we advocate concrete pavers here, do realize that there are other hardscape options at your disposal, such as brick and natural stone pavers. While these materials are more expensive than concrete, you will at least be able to install them yourself, removing labor costs from the equation.

(9) Use the right tools for the job. This will save you both time and aggravation. You don’t have to buy these paver tools, either – you can rent a plate compactor and diamond blade wet saw, for example.

(10) If you are unsure, ask for help. Your paver manufacturer is the first source to go with specific questions about your project, as they will be able to offer you free advice that may help. For more specific, urgent problems, lean on the advice of paver contractors, even if this means you have to pay one for the help. Paying a little up front for good information may save you a lot of money and hassle down the line.

If you’ve begun to budget out your next outdoor project – such as a driveway, patio, or walkway – you’ve probably found that the desirable materials options, like concrete pavers, are quite expensive. Indeed, even ‘cheap’ pavers will run you $7 per square foot or more – and this doesn’t even include installation. This price doesn’t compare favorably to slab options like concrete and asphalt or to loose stone.

Luckily, there is a way to enjoy the beauty and strength of interlocking pavers for a fraction of the price – make them yourself! If you obtain or make concrete paver forms, you can pour your own concrete and thereby make concrete pavers by yourself. When you make your own pavers, you have control over the size and shape of the final product; you can thus customize them to your liking. You can also add your own colors, textures, and features to your pavers to make them as decorative as you’d like. Thus, you’ll still have plenty of design freedom to exploit when making your project even when you’re not buying pavers straight from the manufacturer.

A few caveats – first, you’ll have to work hard to get the paving stones to be of regular quality. What makes pavers work so well – indeed, what makes them interlock – is the fact they are manufactured in a regular fashion. Second, this will take a long time to make all the pavers for your project, particularly if you have a large application in mind. Thus, this method is best suited towards smaller projects, such as small walkways, mini-patios, or even ‘stepping stone’ like creations running through a yard or garden.

Molds v. Forms

On another part of this website, we talked all about paver molds and explained to you how to make concrete pavers. Here we will repeat many of those instructions, this time focused on the ‘forms’ method. Often, molds and forms are used interchangably, but this is actually incorrect, as forms are made out of wood planks, while molds are made from plastic, rubber, silicon, or some other material, and allow you to make many different shaped objects. In addition, you can usually find many different paver molds for sale, so you can make pavers of unique sizes and shapes if you’d like.

However, forms usually produce rectangular or square pavers – it is very difficult to make any other shape with the regularity you’ll need to lay a proper patio, driveway, or other project. You can usually not find forms for purchase – instead, you’ll have to make them yourself as a DIY paving project. Here is the general method.

Making Your Own Paving Stone Forms

Y0u should first figure out what kind of project you want, the paver patterns you design, and the pavers you’ll need to complete your goals. Note that all pavers will work well for all kinds of projects – there is no dedicated ‘driveway pavers‘ or ‘patio pavers.’ Gather wood planks that are half an inch thick; also get some 1 and 1/4 inch screws so that you can put together the forms. Then, you’ll need to cut your planks so that you create the dimensions and shape of the paver you’re looking to make in terms of length and width. Your best bet in general is to go with the typical 6 x 9 Holland Stone like pavers, especially if this your first time making them.

Here’s an example – imagine that your brick will be 6″ by 9″ and 2″ high. Cut two planks of wood into 6 inch pieces and two inches wide and another two into 10″ pieces. You’ll then want to put together the planks so that you make a ‘picture frame’ like object; the inside dimensions of the rectangle should be 6 x 9 of course. Use the screws to properly hold the form. Make as many as you can so that you can mass produce the paver production process. Use a lubricant or spray to make sure the concrete doesn’t stick to the forms, as you’ll want to reuse them as much as possible.

One of the great advantages of concrete is its relatively cheap price and ease of installation. However, its main downfall, besides the problem of cracking, is its looks – concrete is grey, drab, and pretty boring to look at. It goes fine with most decors, but it isn’t the most optimal material to use for most projects.

However, there are ways to spruce up your concrete project so that it will be more stylistically interesting. The most common method is installing stamped concrete. Stamped concrete has particular designs, shapes, and textures ‘stamped’ into the wet concrete in order to make it look like something else. Combined with concrete paints and finishes, an otherwise boring slab of concrete can be made to look like something finer – concrete or natural stone pavers, bricks, and even wood! Luckily, making your own stamped concrete is relatively easy, as long as you can pour it yourself, making installing stamped concrete a viable DIY project for many homeowners who have the skills and time. Note, however, that some stamping projects can be challenging, so when in doubt, go with a professional whose work you admire to ensure that your project turns out right.

If you are interesting in a do it yourself stamped cement project, you’ll need to buy concrete stamps that you can use to create the designs you want. This article will describe the tools, materials, and products you’ll need for successful concrete stamping. It will also give suggestions for how to find and save money on concrete stamps for sale.

The Different Kinds of Concrete Stamps

The number of concrete stamp patterns out there is simply astounding. You can find every kind of designs, from regular patterns like brick and stone to irregular shapes and textures. You can also find interesting shapes and designs that you can use to make your concrete patio, walkway, driveway, pool deck, or other installation uniquely your own.

The following is a list of decorative concrete stamps – it is not an exhaustive list, of course, but it does cover many of the most popular varieties of designs and textures. Using stamps, your concrete can look like:

• Stone
• Rock
• Tile
• Brick
• Pavers
• Granite
• Cobblestone
• Wood
• Pebbles
• Slate

You can also add the following textures and designs:

• Seamless textures
• Beach
• Borders
• Fans
• Circles
• Animals
• Names
• Words
• and much, much more.

In fact, it may even be possible to make or obtain custom stamps – you are thus only limited by your imagination and your budget.

The Properties of Concrete Stamps

Most stamps are made from rubber and plastic, making them flexible, light, and easy to work with. They can be easily washed and reused from job to job, so you won’t have to worry about having to buy new ones.

There are two main types. For small jobs, you can simply buy one unit stamps or stencils. For instance, if it’s a shape of dolphin, you only need to have a single dolphin stencil that you apply where needed. However, if you have a pattern that repeats, such as a cobblestone, paver, brick, or stone appearance, you’ll need to buy mats. Mats are simply big versions of normal stamps – they contain the “unit pattern” so that you can have it repeat regularly throughout the entire surface of the concrete. These mats vary in size, depending on the pattern, but most are in the 4 square feet range.

Using Concrete Stamps – Some How To Notes

How many stamps will you need? Stamps can be expensive, so you may feel tempted to save money by skimping on the number you purchase, but don’t! You’ll need at least enough to go across the whole width of the project, plus a couple to start the next course. Think about it – you want the texture or pattern to be even and nicely distributed. Any mistakes can be costly to the appearance of the final project. In addition, you want to be able to stamp everything necessary within the time that the concrete is wet and amenable to stamping. If you are too slow, you may have serious problems with the final result.

Note that stamps should only be used on concrete 2 inches thick or more. While stamping and staining may be a potential DIY project for someone with the experience and skills to do it, it can be challenging, and mistakes can make a concrete slab look terrible – this can be a very expensive mistake to make. Unless you have the chance to practice and find out what works, it may be best to leave all this to the professionals. In that case you wouldn’t have to buy or rent concrete stamps, so it may be worth it in the end.

The Cost of Concrete Stamps

The cost of the stamps depends on a number of factors, including the size and pattern of the stamp. In general, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $250 per stamp. Most of the time, these stamps are bought by contractors who will use them on the job. This is due in part to the fact that these stamps are incredibly expensive for many homeowners to purchase in the quantity necessary. However, there are other options available to these homeowners, including renting and buying used stamps. See the saving money section below.

What Else You May Need

There are some other concrete stamping tools and products you might need to fill out your concrete project. First, in terms of using the stamps, you may need floppies or flexes; a tamper; and other hand tools. If you want to give your concrete a different color or stain, you may need acid stains, colors, release agents, and other materials. You may also need particular forms and molds to properly shape your concrete creations.

Saving Money on Concrete Stamps

One way to save money if you need stamps for a single job is to find stamps for rent. Finding rental concrete stamps may be difficult to do if you don’t have a supply yard or a contractor in your area willing to do this. You may also be able to find used concrete stamps for sale, either from individual homeowners or from professional contractors.

Note that it also may be possible for you to create your own stamps and patterns out of materials and objects laying around your house. Use your creativity and don’t be afraid to test on sample (and eventually disposable) concrete.

If you want to add natural beauty and durability to your home in patios, walkways, driveways, pool decks, and other installations, flagstone is the way to go. It will provide you with years of pleasure, and there are plenty of design options – shapes, sizes, and colors – to satisfy even the most demanding creativity.

The main disadvantage for those looking to buy flagstone is getting it for a cheap price. Flagstone pavers can be very expensive to purchase, depending on a number of factors, including geography, rarity of the stone, brand, and the type of stone and color you want. However, there are a few ways to get cheap flagstone, as long as you know where to look. However, there are ways to lower the price that you have to pay for flagstone and flagstone pavers. Here are some tips:

Ten Tips to Buy Flagstone and Save Money

(1) First, decide on your budget. Some flagstone will cost more than others simply due to the type of stone it is, so you need to know the ballpark that you’ll pay to help eliminate expensive options off the bat.

(2) Next, you need to know where to buy flagstone normally. You can get this stone, either in raw or pavers form, from mason supply yards, home improvement stores, and directly from the quarries themselves. Each option will offer different types of flagstone for sale as well as different prices.

(3) The first option, mason supply yards, will often have a decent variety of stone for sale at a variety of prices. Most contractors will work through these yards to obtain your stone, so if they are doing the buying, they will probably get it here. It may be intimidating to buy flagstone from the sources, however, so many people go for other options. However, if you know how to find a deal, you could find used or scrap flagstone available for a cheap price, as long as you are willing to ask.

(4) The next try is home improvement stores. These will usually have very limited quantities of flagstone available, certainly not enough for any large job, and the variety will also be very low. If you only need flagstone for small projects, this may be the way to go.

(5) The best way to buy flagstone is directly from quarries and companies that sell it. This will offer you the most price options as well as the largest variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. You can often customize the size of the stone or pavers to your liking, making this the option of choice if you need to customize your project at all. You will often get good prices here, since you are buying directly from the manufacturer, but you can also expect to pay decently high prices as well for this material.

(6) What other ways are there to buy flagstone for cheap? One way is to look online at sites like Craigslist where people are giving away material. Some sell it for a small price, while others ask that you come and remove it yourself; you can then have the stone for free. This can be a good deal if the stone is in good condition, but always be careful when buying products used, especially building materials. There is usually a reason that someone’s giving away expensive material like this, so always check it out in person before committing to taking it.

(7) Keep an eye out for other deals – contact a mason supply yard, contractor, or other flagstone manufacturer for constant updates about excess flagstone or other deals.

(8) If you are having multiple projects paved with the material in your yard, consider doing all the projects at once. Buying bulk flagstone will maximize the savings you get, as the transportation and quarrying costs will all be rolled into the one project.

(9) In addition, if friends of yours are also considering to have an installation of flagstone put in, consider buying the material together to enjoy bulk rates.

(10) Finally, consider ways to salvage the material from other yards. You might have some lying around yourself, or friends or family might have stone that they no longer have a use for. Recovering and recycling this stone could save you hundreds of even thousands of dollars.

There are many uses for cinder blocks at home or on the job. Using these blocks is so easy that finding cheap cinder blocks for sale might be the hardest part of the project! The most common use for cinder blocks is creating a wall or retaining wall. However, if you use your creativity, you may find other good uses for the block. One use is creating temporary or permanent steps or stoops. You can use the holes in the block for creative options, such as planter borders in your garden or shelves and storage units in your garage. You could make a barbecue or fire pit out of your blocks, or add other concrete slabs to make a bench. Add some cement or mortar and you can make these structures strong and permanent, or leave out the mortar if you’d like the option to take them apart later.

We know there are plenty of uses for cinder blocks, but where can you find them? And how much are you going to pay when you do?

(Note that there is also a type of block called ‘concrete block.’ While they are largely the same for most purposes, you might find that concrete block are heavier and stronger, and thus more suitable for certain jobs. The price you’ll pay for these concrete block will reflect this difference. This article only considers the cinder variety.)

Where to Buy Cinder Blocks for Low Cost

If you are looking to buy cinder blocks, there are a number of places you can look. The traditional places to look are actual stores like Home Depot, Lowes, and other home improvement stores. You could also check mason supply yards if you are comfortable going to those places, and if you do you might find a great deal.

The less traditional places to find cinder blocks are online. The best place is probably sites like Craigslist. Many people offer their block their for $1 or less. Some may even let you have them for free if you come and remove them yourself! However, there are some cautions when dealing with Craigslist. Some people will not e-mail you back, or they might try to take advantage of you. You need to avoid scams or dangerous situations – always bring someone with you when you go to pick up the blocks to make sure everything goes smoothly. In addition, you’ll want to verify the condition of the block in person before 100% agreeing to the transaction. Some people may be less than forthcoming concerning the condition of the block, so you want to make sure you get a good look at them before agreeing to any deal.

Cinder Blocks Cost

Cinder block price will depend on a number of factors. The general price of cinder blocks will range from less than a dollar to two dollars or more for each block. How much you pay will sometimes be random, but often there will be a connection with the quality of the block, so don’t settle for something cheap if you need to make sure they’ll hold against the weight and forces you’ll be subjecting it to. The cinder block cost at home improvement chains like Home Depot will run you around $1.00 to $1.50, though you may get a better deal if you buy in bulk or if you find a sale.

One of the greatest expenditures you need to make when installing your next driveway, patio, walkway, pool deck, or other paver project is the cost of the pavers themselves. The price of the pavers will vary on a lot of factors, but the more you can save, the better the price per square foot that you’ll have to pay. This can truly add up if you have a large project or multiple projects that you want to install. In fact, the more square footage you install at a time, the more overall you’ll save, as you’ll make the installation process more efficient than if you have contractors come back multiple times to do separate jobs. Note that the same pavers can be used multiple projects – driveway pavers are the same as pool pavers and so on.

Some Tips to Buy Pavers

Often the contactor will offer to buy pavers for you, with you paying the materials cost.  However, you may have more motivation to find a better deal for the pavers, as the contractor will probably just buy from wherever he or she normally purchases pavers, and may not try hard to get you a deal. For this reason, it may be prudent for you to purchase concrete pavers yourself. This is true regardless of what kind of paver material you are looking for. Finding natural stone pavers or brick pavers for sale follows the same logic as described below. However, you may have no idea where to buy pavers if you’ve never had to do it before. Thus, here are some places to find cheap pavers for sale:

1. First, consult with your contractor, if you have one. He or she may be able to get you a good deal on pavers, such as wholesale, or from their own sources, especially if he or she has any leftovers from a previous job. You might be able to get used pavers for sale in this way. However, always compare prices with other contractors to see which one gives you the better offer. Some may give you a break on the total price if you buy materials through them, so don’t automatically assume that you’ll get a better deal on paving stones by getting them yourself.
2. If you’d like to try buying pavers for sale by yourself, find the local mason supply yards and home supply stores in the area. You’re more likely to get a good deal with a local mason yard, though you might also get lucky at a chain store occasionally. See if the yards have any deals available, such as damaged or ‘seconds’ product available. If you’re more concerned about function, and not necessarily about looks, you may be able to get a great deal. Otherwise, shop around and see which yards and stores will give you the best deal on the quantity you want to order.
3. If you’d like to go off the beaten path to look for patio pavers for sale or any other product, journey to the internet. There are plenty of resources available there that can guide you in the right direction. Here are some of the major ones:
4. First, check sites like Craigslist and other classified ads. You may find that local individuals are selling leftover or used pavers for a great price. In fact, you might even get them for free, as long as you go to their home or business and remove them yourself. Other places for free stuff are sites like Freecycle. You might be surprised at what you find, actually. Of course, you’ll want to see the material in person before you agree to take it, because it may be in very poor condition, and you’ll want to make sure you’re satisfied before making a commitment to remove it.
5. You can also check out online dealers for paving stone products. This may be a good way to learn about the concrete and brick pavers for sale, different brands available, and the local dealers that supply them, just in case you may have missed some in your initial search. Overall, however, you’ll probably have more luck sticking locally than trying to use the internet to find paving stones from official manufacturers.
6. Check around your own house or your friends’ and family’s houses. You may find pavers that you can ‘recycle.’ The only cost you’ll have to pay is the time needed to move the pavers to their new location.
7. Note that the above also applies if you’re looking for other materials, such as grass, landscape, and thin pavers for sale.

If you have any other ideas or sources, leave them in the comments!