Reliable Hardscapes handles paver installation in Tampa, St. Petersburg and the surrounding Tampa Bay area: driveways, backyard patios, pool decks, walkways and steps. Blake Barry has run the company for 12 years, it's a licensed Florida contractor (CGC1541003), and every install is backed by a 2-year guarantee.
Pavers hold up better than poured concrete on Florida's sandy soil because each unit moves a little on its own instead of the whole slab cracking. That only works if the base underneath is built right, which is where most of the labor on a good paver job goes.
What we install
- Paver driveways, including tearing out old concrete
- Patios in concrete pavers, travertine, flagstone and natural stone
- Pool decks, new or over a tired concrete deck
- Walkways, steps and entries
- Pavers combined with outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and fire pits, and retaining walls
How a paver install goes
- On-site estimate. We measure, look at drainage and access, talk through layout, pattern and material, and give you a written price.
- Excavation and removal. Old concrete, sod or soil comes out to the depth the job needs. Grading is done in-house, so the finished surface sheds water away from the house and pool.
- Base. Crushed base rock goes down in layers, each one compacted with a plate compactor. The base is what keeps pavers flat, and it's deeper under driveways than under patios.
- Bedding and laying. A screeded sand bed, then the pavers in your pattern, with clean cuts at every edge and around drains.
- Edge restraint and joints. A restraint locks the outside edge so nothing creeps. The surface is compacted and the joints are filled with polymeric sand.
- Sealing (optional). Sealer deepens color and helps with stains. We'll tell you honestly whether your pavers need it.
Materials, and when to use each
Concrete pavers are the workhorse: lots of colors, shapes and patterns, strong enough for driveways, and the best value per square foot.
Brick-style pavers give the classic red and tan look and work well for borders, walkways and traditional homes.
Travertine is natural stone that stays cooler underfoot than most concrete, which is why it's popular around pools. It costs more and needs a careful install.
Flagstone and natural stone give an irregular, natural look for patios, steps and fire-pit areas, and are often set in a mortar or sand bed depending on the area.
What pavers cost in Tampa
Every job is priced after we see it, but here's what Blake's projects actually run:
Size, material, how much concrete has to come out, and access for equipment move the number the most. The paver cost guide breaks it down.
Where we work
We install pavers in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Westchase, Carrollwood and the rest of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. See all service areas.
Recent pavers work
Frequently asked questions
How long does a paver installation take?
Most patios and walkways take a few days of work once we start. Driveways that need old concrete removed take longer. You get a schedule with the estimate.
Can you put pavers over existing concrete?
Sometimes, if the slab is sound and the added height works at doors and the pool. Often it is better to remove it. We check this on the estimate visit and explain the trade-off.
Do pavers crack like concrete?
A single paver can chip, but the joints let the surface flex instead of cracking across. A damaged paver can be lifted and replaced so the repair doesn’t show.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes. Every job comes with a 2-year guarantee. Ask us what it covers for your project when we give you the estimate.
How much do pavers cost?
Small projects start around $3,000 for about 300 sq ft. See the paver cost guide for driveways, patios and pool decks.
