Paver Patio Installation | Niles, MI & Michiana

Yes, and with several other premium manufacturers. We're not locked into any single supplier — we recommend the material that best fits your project's design, budget, and durability requirements. Most of our patios use Unilock (Beacon Hill, Umbriano, Brussels Block, Series) or Belgard (Mega-Arbel, Cambridge Cobble), though we also install natural stone including bluestone, travertine, and flagstone when the design calls for it.

Yes — proper drainage is designed into every Salzman paver patio from the excavation stage. Every patio is graded with a subtle slope (typically 1/8" per foot) away from the home to shed rainwater and snowmelt, and the open-graded crushed limestone base allows water that reaches the sub-surface to drain freely rather than pool. On properties with unusual drainage challenges, we integrate additional solutions — French drains, dry wells, or catch basins — into the design.

Polymeric sand — the joint-locking material we install as the final step of every patio — creates a semi-solid barrier that prevents weeds from germinating and deters insects from tunneling. When installed correctly and activated with water, it hardens into a flexible resin-like joint that's very different from the loose sand you'll see on cheaper installations. Occasional weeds may still appear after several years as sand slowly erodes, but they're a minor maintenance issue rather than a structural problem.

Spring through fall — typically April through November — is the standard installation window in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana. Frozen ground makes excavation impractical in deep winter. The most in-demand booking windows are May, June, and September, when weather is stable and homeowners want the space ready for use. For projects tied to a summer event like a graduation or wedding, book 6 to 10 weeks in advance to lock in your timeline.

Routine paver patio maintenance is minimal: sweep off leaves and debris regularly to prevent staining, hose the surface down periodically, and inspect the polymeric sand joints once a year. If joint sand erodes over time — usually 5 to 10 years in — it can be swept in fresh and reactivated. Pavers themselves don't require refinishing the way concrete does, which is one of the biggest long-term advantages of the material.

In some cases, yes — using a polymer-modified bonding mortar overlay system. This works only when the existing concrete is structurally sound: no major cracks from frost damage, no significant settling, and adequate slope for drainage. If the existing slab has structural problems, an overlay is throwing good money after bad — we'll tell you honestly during the estimate visit. See our stone overlay page for more detail on when overlays are the right choice.

Sealing is optional, not required. High-quality concrete pavers from Unilock and Belgard are engineered to perform without a sealer. Sealing can enhance color, reduce staining from grease and leaves, and slightly slow weed growth in the joints — but it also requires reapplication every 3 to 5 years and can trap moisture if applied incorrectly. We'll give you an honest recommendation for your specific pavers and how you plan to use the space.

Most paver patio installations in the 300–600 square foot range take 1 to 3 weeks from excavation to final cleanup. The majority of that time is spent on excavation and engineered base preparation — typically 4 to 7 days — which is the part of the project we never rush. Paver surface installation itself is usually 2 to 4 days once the base is complete. Larger or multi-zone projects, or projects requiring retaining walls, take longer.

Professionally installed paver patios in Michiana typically range from $35 to $45 per square foot for projects 275 square feet and larger. That puts a 400-square-foot patio in the $14,000 to $18,000 range, and a 600-square-foot patio in the $21,000 to $27,000 range. Lower quotes in this market almost always reflect a shortcut in the base preparation or edge restraint — both of which are where Michigan winters cause failures.