DIY Hardscape Tips & Basework Advice

If you’re ready to tackle a paver project, start here:Step 1: Plan your layoutMark the area and consider your desired slope (usually 1/8” per foot away from your house).Step 2: ExcavateDig 6–12” below final grade, depending on usage (more for driveways).Step 3: DisposeRemove soil, sod, and debris. Don’t leave it in your yard—get it off-site.Step 4: Add base gravelUse ¾” crushed stone or similar. Lay it in 2–3” lifts and compact each layer.Step 5: Screed bedding layerAdd a 1” layer of bedding sand or HPB, then screed it flat.Step 6: Lay your paversNow the fun part begins.Step 7: Edge and compactInstall edge restraints and compact the finished surface.Want to skip the backbreaking part? We’ll prep everything for you—so your paver project starts strong and ends looking amazing.

Trying to excavate your yard with a shovel is a recipe for frustration. Proper ground prep requires serious equipment: skid steers, plate compactors, laser levels, and dump trailers, just to name a few.

When people think of landscaping, they think flowers, shrubs, and green grass. But hardscaping—the “non-living” stuff like patios, walkways, and retaining walls—is what truly defines your outdoor space.Here’s what good hardscaping adds:• Structure – It guides movement and creates usable zones.• Curb appeal – A beautiful walkway or stone patio boosts home value.• Function – Hard surfaces make entertaining and maintenance easier.• Drainage control – It helps divert water away from your foundation.The key to great hardscaping? Basework. It’s where function meets beauty, and it’s where we come in.

Sticker shock is real. Quotes from Toronto landscape contractors for a basic 400 sq ft patio can hit $20,000 or more. Why?• High labour costs• Expensive equipment overhead• Full-service pricing (even if you only need one part of the job)• Short seasons that drive up demandHere’s the good news: You don’t need to hire a full-service landscaper for everything. Ground Force Baseworks offers professional-grade excavation and base prep—without the full landscaping markup. You take over from there and save thousands.

A professional patio install in Toronto can cost $15,000 or more. Doing it yourself can cut that cost in half or more—but only if it’s done right.

YouTube makes it look easy—just level the ground, throw down some sand, and place your pavers, right? Not quite.Here’s what can go wrong without proper basework:• Uneven surfaces that pose tripping hazards.• Water pooling near your foundation or basement.• Frost heave damage during Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycles.• Weed and grass regrowth through your pavers.• Early replacement—costing you more than doing it right the first time.Ground prep isn’t optional. It’s what separates a weekend project from a long-term investment.

Homeowners often get caught up in choosing beautiful pavers, but here’s the truth: even the most expensive pavers will fail if the ground beneath them isn’t prepared correctly.Here’s why proper basework is more important than paver aesthetics:1. Prevents shifting and sinking – Compact base layers keep your pavers stable.2. Stops water damage – A proper slope and drainage plan protects your investment.3. Increases longevity – A good base can add decades to your project’s life.4. Reduces weed growth – Solid basework minimizes space for weed seeds to take root.5. Saves money in the long run – Fewer repairs and replacements.Don’t let a $1,500 paver order go to waste on a $50 base job. Prep right, and your project will look brand-new for years to come.

If you’ve ever seen a patio or walkway start to sink, shift, or sprout weeds just months after it was installed, chances are the basework was skipped or done poorly. Basework is the foundation of your entire hardscaping project. Think of it like the footings under your house—without a solid base, everything else will fail.Proper basework involves excavation, disposal of old soil and sod, compacting layers of aggregate (typically ¾” crushed stone), and ensuring proper slope and drainage. Cutting corners here may save you time today, but will cost you big in repairs later.At Ground Force Baseworks, we specialize in giving DIY homeowners a professional-grade foundation—so your patio, walkway, or driveway lasts for decades.