Step 1
Walk it and design it
We look at the doors, the grade, where water goes after rain, sun and shade, and how you want to use the space. The design sets the size, shape and finished height before anything is ordered.
Patios, Walkways, Steps & Driveways in Central Ohio
Paver and natural stone patios, walkways, steps and driveways for Central Ohio homes.
Patios, walkways and steps
Patios: base, drainage and size
We design and build paver and natural stone patios, walkways, steps and driveways for homes in Columbus and across Central Ohio. Some yards need one patio off the back door, sized for a table and a grill. Others need a walk from the driveway, steps down a slope and a place for a fire pit. We start with how you want to use the yard and design the hardscape to fit it.
Paver patio base and drainage
A patio lasts because of the base under it. We dig out the soil, compact the stone base in layers and pitch the surface so rain runs away from the house rather than under the pavers. That base is what keeps a patio flat and the joints tight after years of Central Ohio freeze and thaw.
The rest is fit. The patio has to meet the door at the right height, drain away from the foundation, and tie into the lawn, beds and walls around it without an awkward step or a low spot that holds water. It should also be big enough for the furniture you plan to use, with room to walk around the table. Peabody has built patios this way across Columbus since 1982.
How We Build It
We design what we later build
The people who walk your yard and draw the plan work for the same company that builds the patio and stands behind it.
Before we dig, you get a written proposal that lists what we will build, the order of the work and roughly how long each part takes. If you want to change something along the way, we agree on it with you first.
Step 2
Build the base right
Excavation, compacted stone base, edge restraint and drainage go in first. Normally the same crew stays from the first day to the last, and the site is cleaned every day.
Step 3
Finish and walk it together
Pavers or stone are set and the joints filled. Before we call the job done, we walk the finished patio with you and finish anything that still needs it.
Patios, Walkways, Steps & Driveways
Patios, Walkways and Steps We Have Built
Paver and natural stone patios, walks and steps from Peabody projects across Columbus and Central Ohio.
Patio work starts with usable space, finished elevation, base prep, drainage, and enough room for furniture and people.
Walkways need a natural route, comfortable width, stable base, clear edges, and lighting where people walk at night.
Outdoor steps have to solve grade safely. Consistent risers, landings, drainage, and lighting matter as much as the stone.
Driveway hardscape needs the same discipline at a heavier load: base depth, edge restraint, drainage, and transitions back to walks and planting.
What We Plan For
- Patios: furniture layout, door thresholds, shade, and drainage away from the house
- Walkways: primary route, garden path, width, lighting, and planting edges
- Steps: rise, tread depth, landing placement, railing needs, and lighting
- Base depth, compaction, geotextile, and edge restraint
- Surface slope, subsurface drainage, and freeze-thaw movement
- Relationship to walls, planting beds, doors, lawn, and existing grade
Stone and Paver Options
- Concrete pavers and permeable pavers
- Natural stone, bluestone, limestone, sandstone, and flagstone
- Natural stone slab steps
- Segmental block steps with cap stones
- Compacted aggregate base and polymeric joint sand
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose pavers or natural stone for a patio?
Concrete pavers give a clean, consistent surface in a wide range of colors and patterns, and a damaged piece can be lifted and replaced. Natural stone like bluestone or flagstone has more variation and a more classic look. Both last when the base is built correctly, so the choice comes down to the look you want and how it sits with the house.
When is the best time to plan a patio in Central Ohio?
Fall and winter. Designing then puts your project near the front of the spring build schedule. Waiting until April usually means designing while everyone else is already building.
Can you add lighting, planting and a fire feature around the patio?
Yes. We design and build the whole space together, so wiring, gas lines and drainage go in with the base instead of being cut in later.
What makes outdoor steps comfortable?
Consistent riser height, enough tread depth, and landings where the grade changes. Small inconsistencies are noticeable outdoors, especially when carrying things or walking at night.
Flagstone or pavers for a walkway?
Flagstone feels more natural and garden-like. Pavers give a cleaner, more consistent surface. Both hold up when the base and drainage under them are built correctly.
Can settled pavers or stone be reset?
Yes, if the material is still sound. We lift the surface, rebuild the base, reset the stone or pavers, and correct drainage where needed.
Built Work
Patios, Walkways, Steps & Driveways in Finished Projects
Peabody projects in Central Ohio where this work is part of the whole landscape.
Columbus, OH
Brewer's Yard
A commercial streetscape and courtyard landscape with brick paving, lawn panels, stone walls, trees, railings, and public seating edges.
View Project
Dublin, OH
Fireplace and Pergola Kitchen
A formal backyard sequence with a brick fireplace, pergola kitchen, stone paths, hydrangea beds, fountain, and lawn rooms.
View Project
Granville, OH
Denison University Campus Courtyard
A Denison University campus courtyard in Granville, Ohio, with brick walks, lawn panels, bench seating, plaza paving, and building-edge planting.
View ProjectRequest a patio consultation
Tell us what you have in mind for the patio. We call back within 48 hours and can walk the yard with you at a time that suits you.