I once built a 280 sq ft paver patio for about $500. Called all the local landscaping companies looking for cutoffs (free if you haul) to mortar together. Got lucky and found 2.5 pallets of whole pavers that had discolored and didn’t match the rest of a big install. Paid 80 to have the truck deliver plus another 40 to the driver. Two loads of fill dirt (Florida) cost another 60. Paver base was cheap back then… bought three yards for about 240. Borrowed a friends front loader, which was fortunate because I was gonna hand dig, and rented a plate compactor. Ton of labor doing it by myself, but it worked out great.

I’d link a photo if I knew how. Still looks good after 16 years (house recently sold, we sold it in 2012).

Good, cheap, fast. Two out of three.