DIY Bluestone Patio: How We Saved $30K and Gained a Backyard Oasis
Level of Difficulty: Expert
Time to Complete: 6 Weeks
Spoiler: It involved an excavator, a lot of sweat, a minor panic attack, and one very expensive Venmo transaction.
The Dream: Nantucket Garden, Northeast Reality
When we bought our 1970s fixer-upper in Northeast Ohio, the outdoor space wasn’t exactly “host-with-the-most” ready. Think: a cracked 12’ x 12’ concrete pad wedged between two massive oak trees and blanketed in English ivy. Charming? Not so much. Cozy cottage vibes? Definitely not.
We dreamed of a backyard that felt like vacation without leaving home—inspired by the gardens of Nantucket, but with a traditional edge that felt true to our classic design style.
The Problem: Concrete, Ivy & A $30,000 Quote
We started calling around for estimates on a bluestone patio and quickly realized that we were staring down a $30–40K project—and that was just for the patio, not the landscaping or fire pit. As much as we wanted this space finished quickly, we couldn’t justify blowing our entire renovation budget on 200 square feet.
Cue: DIY delusion (mine) and DIY dread (Joe’s).
Phase 1: Demolition Drama & Root Rage
🛠️ Removal Difficulty: High | Equipment Rented: Jackhammer, Concrete Saw, Excavator
We thought removing the concrete slab would be a semi-easy process. Plot twist: it was reinforced with rebar. After six hours with a jackhammer and barely a quarter done, we found our hero—Handy Rents—and cut it into 1’x1’ chunks to wheelbarrow out.
Then came the surprise: enormous oak roots hiding beneath. I had my first “Oh sh*t” renovation moment, calling every excavator in town on a Saturday afternoon (spoiler: no one picks up).
To dispose of everything?
- Bagster: Too heavy.
- Junk services: No one wants soil or roots.
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK: Two high school kids = shockingly effective.
- Dumpster drama: Overfilled. Paid off the driver via Venmo in desperation. 10/10 no regrets.
Phase 2: Excavation, Grading & Foundation Work
With an excavator delivered to our driveway (yes, anyone can rent one), I jumped in the driver’s seat—literally. Joe gave me the green light, and I spent days hacking away at tree roots that weighed over 100 lbs each.
After what felt like an archeological dig, we finally had a cleared and graded space. Next step: laying the foundation.
Our base recipe:
- 10″ foundation = crushed gravel + sand
- Compacted with a plate tamper from Handy Rents
- Laser-leveled and ready for stone
Phase 3: Stone Delivery & Layout Strategy
We sourced our stone from Van Ness Stone in Chesterland, OH and selected a classic:
Blue Ice Natural Cleft Bluestone
Before laying, we tackled the 500-lb sandstone stair treads first using the excavator’s fork arm. Then came the puzzle: how to lay bluestone efficiently with minimal cuts and waste?
Our genius hack:
We made cardboard templates for every stone size and pre-laid the pattern before lifting a single slab. It saved our backs—and our sanity.
Phase 4: Laying the Bluestone—Stone by Stone
Each bluestone slab weighed 50+ lbs and needed individual leveling with sand—none were plug-and-play. We worked nights and weekends in 90° heat, fueled by sunscreen and stubbornness. One root even tried to derail the very last stone.
But after two long weeks, we stood back and admired our sweat-soaked, hand-built patio.
Final Cost Breakdown:
- Concrete Saw Rental: $165
- 1-800- Got-Junk Rental: $813
- Crushed Limestone Gravel: $809
- Mini Excavator Rental (Handy Rents): $1263
- Skid Steer Rental: $604
- Plate Tamper Rental (Handy Rents): $69
- Masonry Sand: $202
- Bluestone Natural Cleft and Sandstone Steps: $6358
- Grout: $125
- Landscaping: $2,100
- Fire Pit: $300
- Metal Landscape Edging: $172
- Total: $13,142
Versus $40,000 quoted = over $27,000 saved
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. This was hands-down the hardest project we’ve tackled—but also the most rewarding. It transformed our yard and added instant hosting appeal. Is it weird that I’m a little sad we don’t have a bigger summer project lined up this year?
(But don’t worry. I’m already cooking something up that’ll make Joe ask, “Are you serious?”)
Looking for our full length Bluestone Patio DIY, head on over to here!
Shop This Project
Coming soon: Our full list of tools, stone sources, and patio must-haves.
For now, here are a few of our favorite items we used:
