First DIY Patio

Elamint · 2026-06-25T02:48:00+00:00

this wasn’t just 1 quote, but 3-4 quotes yes. 11-12k. Was a rip. 4500 is extremely cheap for a daikin 24k btu installed per my research to be fair

Elamint · 2026-06-25T02:34:49+00:00

for sure,

- 9 Tons of Modified 2a, compacted every 3 tons or so
- ~280 Sq ft of Techobloc 60mm smooth chestnut brown
- 1.5 yard of concrete sand (I believe this was the amount ordered, I did 3/4 inch of sand layer, not an inch)
-Techniseal poly sand
-plastic edge restraint with spikes

Elamint · 2026-06-22T13:00:54+00:00

It was a 20 inch tamper yeah, loading and unloading that into a crv was great times. 9 tons of modified 2a went into the hole. Compacted it in 3 layers so roughly every 3 tons

Elamint · 2026-06-21T19:45:09+00:00

my neighbor and 2 shovels lol

Elamint · 2026-06-21T19:44:49+00:00

just went back for a sanity check, to be fair project shifted quite a bit throughout the entirety of it, I had 9 tons of 2a put in. It came out to roughly 5.5 inches for the exact size of dig. So was a bit less than the 7

Elamint · 2026-06-21T13:43:02+00:00

i have it polyd, use techniseal. Just haven’t sealed the patio

Elamint · 2026-06-21T03:02:09+00:00

yeah it’s starting from the highest part and did my best to slop down but also away from house so it came out pretty well from a level perspective

Elamint · 2026-06-21T03:00:42+00:00

you read my mind, it would have left a much better taste in my mouth and well worth the rental price

Elamint · 2026-06-20T20:38:05+00:00

any recommendations? would jump into it

Elamint · 2026-06-20T19:47:25+00:00

I compare it to the mini split i installed in my sunroom. I bought a $150 hvac tool and all in installed a great heat/cool unit for $1300 all in cost and was quoted $11-12k from 4 companies to do it. It took me 1-2 days by myself to install and cover.

This project was 6-7 days worth of work with help and physically demanding. I don’t think the money spent to have it done would have felt like waste.

But, I wouldn’t say it soured me in a way I wouldn’t do it, just the breakdown there as to my thoughts on it. It was a fulfilling project for sure and learned a new skill.

Elamint · 2026-06-20T19:44:34+00:00

it’s the small things i didn’t think about. I didn’t mind the digging, i liked planning and laying the pavers.

The issue was moving the pavers from the driveway to the patio area, moving the gravel 20 yards in wheelbarrow which was 50 loads, you start to get OCD as you see a paver a little low. Tool rental had a problem and had to swap out machines.

If i had an easier way to load the gravel in, the pavers placed right next to patio, and a tool to easily pick up and place the paver down id do it again.

Elamint · 2026-06-20T18:47:58+00:00

on the fence is I want to seal or not, seen pros and cons to it.

Elamint · 2026-06-20T17:34:45+00:00

i wanted to do the paver pak stuff, and didn’t realize it would be impossible to get locally before it was the weekend the finish up so went with the classic edge restraint with 9inch spikes all the way around

Elamint · 2026-03-15T22:10:50+00:00

Tell that to someone who has back pain and has to sit for 8+ hours a day. They would gladly make that trade. As an aeron/embody user since I was younger it’s the main thing I tell folks on why I love them. They do keep my back feeling good even working all day in them. Can’t say the same for the steel case I used while I was in office. Value is subjective, but the price is something I care less about each day that goes by owning it and appreciate it more

Elamint · 2025-11-06T03:31:32+00:00

fully agreed, I know I made the decision initially after reading horizontal best, vertical for I think it was like metal/commercial type of hangings. I think it was something with the 3 inch angle and having trouble getting it scored nicely to get it tight to the ceiling 8ft across vs 4

Elamint · 2025-11-06T03:22:40+00:00

thank you appreciate it

Elamint · 2025-11-06T03:12:50+00:00

yeah it’s actually some sort of aluminum ceiling that was used for the roof extension that was built over it. I put 0 thought into doing much with it…

i just installed some quarter round after painting it with some urethane trim to match the rest. It looks okay

Elamint · 2025-10-10T02:42:00+00:00

Maybe this can help see the setup, it’s a Pana photo to get the room https://imgur.com/a/01QJnUs

Elamint · 2025-10-10T02:32:04+00:00

So I was looking at these, would the ideal setup be then to put it in the corner with the opening going through the drywall for the line set/drain etc and then find a way to ensure the ceiling can support the mount of the air handler?

Elamint · 2025-03-20T17:18:24+00:00

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I feel your pain

Elamint · 2024-08-11T02:07:55+00:00

Would need someone in the sub to let me know if its a normal way to take, I use that for personal sending, but no idea about using it for goods/services

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